Central Indiana organization raises $39 million for charity

INDIANAPOLIS - The six-county United Way of Central Indiana raised a record $39 million in corporate and individual contributions in its 2007 campaign, organizers said.\nThe amount might climb even higher because several national companies have yet to report contributions from their local employees, campaign co-chairman Denny Sponsel said Wednesday.\nMore than 100,000 people donated, Sponsel said. The average donation rose 10 percent, or $27 per donor, over last year. Contributions typically are made by paycheck deductions, which will be collected during 2008.\nIndividual donations make up about 80 percent of donations, with corporate giving accounting for the remainder.\nAt drug maker Eli Lilly and Co., the area’s largest private employer, employee contributions rose by more than $500,000 over last year, the United Way said.\nThe money goes to 104 human service agencies in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties.