The African American – Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society brought in more than $2.1 million toward United Way of Greater St. Louis’ overall fundraising campaign of $72.3 million to help people in the region.
The society has more than 850 members, and each member donates $1,000 or more to the United Way every year.
“We made history and accomplished something that other cities can only dream about,” Brenda Newberry, 2013 society co-chair and CEO of Nesher LLC consulting services company. “For the third year in a row, the Charmaine Chapman Society raised more than $2.1 million to support the needs of the community.”
About 250 leadership givers attended the 2013 African American Leadership Society thank you event held at the St. Louis Art Museum on Dec. 4. The event was underwritten by Ameren.
“This was an extraordinary campaign,” said Maurice Newberry, 2013 society co-chair and COO of Nesher LLC, “and the Charmaine Chapman Society again remains No. 1 among all United Ways in the country for the highest contributions among African Americans.”
At the event, United Way leaders gave four awards to companies for their efforts in growing the society. The Top Dollar Amount Award went to Worldwide Technology with $353,673 raised through the society for the United Way. Wells Fargo received the Top Percentage Increase Award with a 2,755 percent increase from last year.
Edward Jones received two awards, including the Top Number of Total African-American Givers Award and the Top New African-American Givers Award. Edward Jones garnered a total of 78 givers, adding 17 new givers to the society this year.
Founded by Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American, in 1994, the society is now the top philanthropic program for African Americans in the St. Louis region and throughout the country. Brenda said it has been a pleasure leading the Charmaine Chapman Society for last two years, alongside her husband Maurice. She is continuously amazed by the society’s generosity.
“These dollars will support agencies that serve the African-American community and will strengthen their capacity to help,” Brenda said. “The St. Louis metro area should be proud of how the Chapman Society is helping neighbors in need. You truly are leadership givers.”
Maurice agreed, and added, “The Charmaine Chapman Society has the ability to influence our community in so many ways – and we are doing just that.”
The top 10 companies that raised the highest dollar amounts from African-American donors for United Way of Greater St. Louis’ 2013 campaign through the African American Leadership Society:
World Wide Technology
Edward Jones
Wells Fargo Advisors
Monsanto Company
Ameren
UPS
Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
United Way of Greater St. Louis
Washington University
Birdet Price.
The top 10 companies with the highest total number of African-American donors for United Way of Greater St. Louis’ 2013 campaign through the African American Leadership Society:
Edward Jones
Wells Fargo
Ameren
UPS
Monsanto Company
Washington University
Express Scripts
Centene Corporation
BJC Healthcare
United Way of Greater St. Louis.
