Community Campaign director leaving after 13 years of success

September 26, 2006

In the 14 years Jim Morgan has been director of business services at the University of Florida, he has overseen a number of high-profile projects from negotiating contracts with Pepsi and Starbucks to revamping Gator Dining Services. Perhaps one of Morgan’s biggest projects has been one that is also closest to his heart: the UF Community Campaign.

“I think they gave it to me because I was such a pain,” Morgan said of his involvement with the fundraising campaign. “I was always right there with suggestions and ideas.”

Morgan has been executive director of the Community Campaign since 1993. In that time, he has been instrumental in helping to raise close to $10 million to aid nonprofit agencies that serve Alachua County and its surrounding areas. In 2005, the campaign topped $1 million for the first time in its 14-year history. This year, Morgan said the goal is to raise $1.2 million.

The Community Campaign is nearly a yearlong process that begins in December when agencies make their applications for aid and culminates in September and October when UF faculty and staff are asked for pledges. Employees may choose to donate to one or more of the 79 area nonprofit agencies whose applications were approved by Morgan and his steering and planning committees. Donations may be made through payroll deduction or by check, cash or direct bill, with the funds being paid out to agencies on a quarterly basis.

This year’s campaign will be the last with Morgan at the helm. In mid-January, Morgan will retire to Homosassa, where he and his wife of 35 years, Sharon, have built a river house. Morgan said he hopes retirement will find him golfing, fishing and spending time with his new granddaughter Taryn.

He also has a new pet project – an Australian Labradoodle (Labrador-poodle mix) puppy by the name of Foster.

As for the Community Campaign, it is uncertain who will take the reins.

“No one is really sure where UFCC is going to go in January,” he said. “It will be interesting to see what happens.”

The UF Community Campaign runs through Oct. 6. For more information on how you can help, visit the Web at www.ufcc.ufl.edu.