UW Combined Fund Drive

Campaign 2024 – Celebrating 40 years of making a difference

Lots of great things happened in 1984. You could go to the theater and watch the original Ghostbusters or Beverly Hills Cop. Madonna was making her way into the living rooms across America thanks to MTV. Bruce Springsteen released Born in the USA and the original Apple Macintosh went on sale. 

In Washington state, the Secretary of State, Sam Reed and Lois Spellman, approached the then Governor John Spellman with an idea. “What if we gave state employees the opportunity to make gifts to their favorite charity through payroll deduction?” Governor Spellman said yes and that idea turned into the Combined Fund Drive.  

Its been 40 years since this campaign started and the thing that has stayed consistent in that time is the generosity of UW Employees. Your participation in the UWCFD is part of a legacy of caring that has resulted in more than $58 million dollars making its way into the world. Whether supporting local, national or international organizations, UW employees and retirees are making a difference here and around the world. 

We know that giving isn’t one size fits all. That’s part of the beauty of the UWCFD. You choose the organization and the amount and give. Your giving. Your way.  

We are pleased to share this year’s featured nonprofit – Northwest Education Access – with all our campus. Like our campaign, they are meeting students where they are to accomplish some amazing things. 

We’ve got some special things this year to help us celebrate, including 

  • The Nonprofit Expo. Join us starting on October 16th at 11 to get to know some of the many nonprofits that are part of the Combined Fund Drive. Many booths will be staffed that day until 1:30 so you can meet some of the amazing folks making a difference. 
  • Online Auction – We’ve got some great items available for you to bid on. Start your holiday shopping early and support Northwest Education Access. Win.Win. 
  • The First Week to Give Promotion is back. Make a new $5 gift, increase and exisiting gift by $5 or more or log an hour of volunteer time and you’ll get a $5 gift card from Starbucks courtesy of Washington State Employees Credit Union. 
  • 40th Anniversary Bingo – grab you card and play. Once you’ve got a traditional or a blackout bingo, send your completed card back to us to be entered into a drawing for some cool gift cards. Complete details of the game can be found on the bingo card 
  • And so much more! 

Stay tuned as we post other ways to engage with this year’s campaign and celebrate 40 years of your gift making a difference! 

Volunteer as a UWCFD campaign coordinator

A key element of our success each campaign is the work of creative and committed campaign coordinators who promote the drive within their departments. Campaign coordinators serve as the local advocates for the campaign—sharing campaign messaging and online engagement opportunities. The UWCFD provides support to coordinators to help engage and inspire their colleagues. We’ll work with you to craft a campaign that reflects your department’s culture.

Interested in volunteering on behalf of your department or unit this year? We’d love to have you! Let us know of your interest via email!

For nonprofits

  • Want to be part of the Combined Fund Drive? It’s easy! Click here for more info.
  • Want to make sure you get invites to on-campus events and updates on what we are doing? Email us and we’ll add you to our speaker’s bureau!
  • Want to participate in our virtual nonprofit expo? Email us and we’ll get you in.

UW Combined Fund Drive is year-round!

You don’t have to wait until next year’s campaign to support great organizations in your community and around the world. Donate or volunteer your time today through the UWCFD!