United Way Sets $95-Million Goal

United Way of Los Angeles announced Wednesday that its fund-raising goal for 1989-90 will be $95 million, the largest amount officials have ever tried to raise. The goal was announced at the official campaign kick-off.

In anticipation of reaching this goal--nearly an 8% increase over the record $88.3 million raised last year--funding for the 350 human service agencies supported by the umbrella charity has been increased by 5% to 7%. This is the first time in three years the agencies could look forward to increased funding, said James P. Miscoll, campaign chairman and executive vice president of Bank of America.

“It’s a very critical campaign,” he added, noting that if the goal is not met, the allocations will have to be supplemented by money from an emergency reserve fund that has dwindled in recent years because of campaign demands.

This year’s fund drive will also be streamlined and made more efficient by conducting it over a six-month period instead of the traditional nine months, Miscoll added.