The United Way of the Cape Fear Area has instituted a new initiative that will benefit more citizens of the greater Wilmington area – the United Way Council on Philanthropy.
 
While it is common for most donors to make charitable gifts through their work, it is becoming more commonplace for donors such as retirees to look for financial opportunities outside of work as well. Many are looking for ways to give back to their local communities and are choosing vehicles such as estate planning, planned gifts, trusts and inclusions in their wills.
 
United Way of the Cape Fear Area recent published statistics that show that more than 11,000 children and their parents, last year alone, were were helped by the United Way and were empowered to learn, stay in school and prepare for higher education in the Cape Fear area. In addition, more than 59,000 individuals and families were helped out of crisis and into a more stable environment. The philanthropic commitments of more community citizens will enable the United Way to enlarge its Community Impact Fund, which is designed to serve more citizens in need.
 
True to the United Way volunteer tradition, a group of outstanding professionals now comprise the new United Way Council on Philanthropy. These experts will assist the United Way in developing the kind of planned gifts that will enable the United Way, now and in the long term, to fund more community human service programs that address the most critical needs of those who live and work in the Cape Fear area.
 
Council Members

- Dale Akstin, Bank of America Carolina Beach
- Gina Andrews, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group
- Eldridge Dodson, Ward & Smith
- Carolyn Felton, Wells Fargo Advisors
- David Helms, Community Volunteer
- Michael Koppenhafer, Wells Fargo Advisors
- Kelly Luckhaus, South State Bank
- Kim Nelson, Community Volunteer
- Rob Penn, Pathfinder Wealth Consulting
- Bret Lankford Paterson, UBS
- Chip Mayo, Cornerstone Business Advisors
- David Price, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Dallas Romanowski, Cornerstone Business Advisors
- Gordon Savage, BB&T Wealth
- Brett Tushingham, Tushingham Wealth
- Justin Wolfe, Wolfe Wealth Management
- Dr. Thomas Barth, ex officio, UWCFA Board Chair
 
To learn how you can contribute to the Community Impact Fund, please contact H. Ken DeDominicis, council director, at [email protected], or call or text 832-215-1240. 
 
Christopher L. Nelson is president of the United Way of the Cape Fear Area, a local nonprofit organization. Since 1941, the United Way of the Cape Fear Area has worked alongside local agencies in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties to assist them in providing substantial and sustainable change within the Cape Fear area. To learn more about the United Way of the Cape Fear Region, go to https://uwcfa.org/ or call 910-798-3900.