Jim and Sarah Harbaugh make $100,000 gift to United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund


United Way for Southeastern Michigan has announced a $100,000 donation from Jim and Sarah Harbaugh to support their COVID-19 Community Response Fund. The fund is supporting charities and organizations providing much-needed relief from the effects of coronavirus and its impact on families across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.  

“My wife Sarah and I wanted to make sure we made this donation where it could have the most impact,” said Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the University of Michigan football program. “We have been looking for a way to help the families that are really having a difficult time right now, that’s why we decided to support the work of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. We stand with families feeling the brunt of this crisis and encourage others to give or volunteer, if they are able.”  

Launched in mid-March, United Way and the COVID-19 Community Response Fund have: 

  • Already approved funding to 314 agencies (202 agencies and 112 childcare providers) 
  • Distributed well over $2 million in Personal Protective Equipment 
  • Gathered the collective power of more than one thousand volunteers 
  • Raised more than $15 million in direct and in-kind donations. Nearly $5.5 million of those dollars have already reached many of those agencies 
  • Increased the volume of calls into its 2-1-1 call center by nearly 75 percent 

“We are so appreciative of this wonderful gift from the Harbaughs,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Even though we have raised a significant amount of money through the Fund, there are still so many families that need help, and that number is increasing every day.” 

Contributions of any size are encouraged to help families during this trying and difficult time. To learn more about how you can help visit www.UnitedWaySEM.org/COVID or text “PROTECT” to 50503. Additionally, thanks to the passage of the coronavirus stimulus package, any donation made to charity can be deducted from 2020 taxes, up to $300.  

About United Way for Southeastern Michigan? 

United Way for Southeastern Michigan, a member of the United Way Worldwide network and an independently governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to help households become stable and ensure children have the support they need to thrive. For more than 100 years, United Way has been a leader in creating positive, measurable and sustainable change in communities throughout southeast Michigan. United Way works in partnership with donors, agencies, corporate and municipal partners to help families meet their basic needs of housing, food, health care and family finances, and ensure children start school ready to learn and graduate ready for life. To give, advocate, volunteer or learn more, visit UnitedWaySEM.org.??

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