United Way's New Chief Exec Takes Office

By Olivia Just
Special Correspondent

"It's a very interesting, very challenging time for United Way because of the economic times we're in." said Michael Johnston, who will step into the post today. "An organization like United Way is needed now more than ever."

After a nationwide search, Johnston was chosen from more than 60 candidates to succeed June Renzulli, who is retiring after 13 years. The Wilton resident has a diverse background in financial services and nonprofit organizations.

"He's an impressive individual," Stamford Community Council Chairman Andy Zeitlin said. "I think he's going to be great for the communities United Way serves."

The United Way of Western Connecticut serves Stamford and 14 towns in southern Litchfield County and northern Fairfield County.

Best known for its corporate giving program, United Way funds dozens of local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club, Shelter for the Homeless, Person-to-Person and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Though many donations come through corporate sponsors and workplace campaigns, United Way is also propelled by individual gifts and contributions.

While the economy remains on tenuous ground, donors may be slightly more reticent about giving financially. But Renzulli is confident that volunteer work will substitute where monetary donations might trickle off.

"People are really saying, 'If I can't give my dollars, let me give my time and talent,' " she said.

Renzulli acknowledged that among the new challenges Johnston faces, expanding the donor base and focusing on long-term outcomes for health, income and education are salient concerns.

One of the most promising innovations Johnston hopes to develop is e-giving or e-philanthropy, the concept of connecting with donors through the Internet in an electronic campaign. He cited Barack Obama's success with online fundraising as an inspiration for creating a "philanthropic network" of donors.

"Now is a particularly important time - we need to expand our base of givers and think about new ways to touch those possible givers," he said.

Johnston also said special focus would be given to Stamford, where needs are going to be reassessed in the next 30 to 60 days.

"Stamford is an area we're looking very closely at - it's a community that has both great need and affluence," he said.

As he prepares to lead the organization, Johnston said plans for his first few months are to expand the donor base, build up e-philanthropy, broaden appeal of the United Way Web site and help other agencies who may be less equipped to weather the economic storm.

"In very difficult economic times, social services agencies struggle with reduced funding, United Way can step in to assist social services, assist them in coordinating data or technology services," he said. "Because we're a community-based organization, we're in a very good position to help those agencies become more efficient."