The 2012-2013 campaign of the United Fund of Surry is doing well, but could receive a boost from contributors looking to take advantage of tax deductions for donations made before the end of the year.

“We’re just over 50 percent of our goal,” Walt Broom, the campaign’s 2012 president, said of its status as of Tuesday.

A fundraising goal of $515,000 was set for the effort. And Broom added that what has been collected so far is “right on task” with the amounts taken in at this same time last year, according to up-to-date figures by the United Fund’s treasurer.

Donations from some sources, including businesses that are key supporters, aren’t in yet. “And some haven’t even started — they start in January,” Broom said of campaign efforts by additional entities. “But the donations are coming in.”

The United Fund is different from most charitable organizations around the country in that all money collected stays in this area to aid 26 agencies that include rescue squads, The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and others. The local campaign also is run by a team of professionals who volunteer their time to make it a success without incurring the administration costs that others do.

Tax Implications

Though contributions to the fund are welcome at any time from individuals or businesses, this is an ideal period to give as 2012 comes to a close.

“We certainly appreciate the donations that have come in to date and would like to remind (the public) that if you would like to give, this would be an opportune time before the end of the year so you could get your tax deductions,” Broom said.

Deductions for charitable contributions, as well as other types of tax breaks that can reduce one’s debt to the government, are under scrutiny by federal officials seeking ways to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.

Based on recent discussions in Washington, changes in the rules could soon come to cap or otherwise alter deductions for donations — possibly making it advantageous to give now before any new provisions go into effect.

“That’s one of the big things, so if you want to take advantage of it, now is the time,” Broom agreed.

“It’s a real issue.”

Checks can be mailed to United Fund of Surry, P.O. Box 409, Mount Airy, NC, 27030.

More information about contributions, as well as the agencies they support, is available at www.unitedfundofsurry.org. Those interested in giving also can contact the United Fund office at 789-3087.

Fund Holding Its On

While donations for the 2012-2013 campaign are about where they were at this point during last year’s effort, they are lagging behind the year before that, said Broom, a retired public school administrator in his fifth year with the United Fund. His tenure as president will end with a meeting today.

Instead of being upped annually, as has been the case traditionally, the $515,000 goal for the present campaign is the same as last year’s. It was left at that level due to the United Fund of Surry falling short of its fundraising mark for 2011-2012.

There are hopeful signs for success with the present collections, including support from Renfro Corp., which Broom said is always the leading industrial contributor to the United Fund.

“They’re way above what they did last year,” he said.

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@heartlandpublications.com.