United Way of the Midlands Senior VP Mike Gray announces retirement
October 16, 2017
COLUMBIA, SC – Mike Gray, the Senior Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of the Midlands, announced his retirement after 35 years with the organization, effective Jan. 31, 2018.
Gray has held this position at United Way from 1987-1998 and again from 2006 to present. He also served as the VP of Community Initiatives and the Executive Director for the Families, Individuals and Children’s Council. As the leader of more than 20 annual campaigns, he has helped raise more than $212 million to support United Way’s effort to help children succeed in school, create financial stability and improve the health of Midlands residents.
“United Way is stronger, and this community is a better place to live, because of Mike Gray,” said United Way of the Midlands President and CEO Sara Fawcett. “His leadership has been crucial in efforts to reduce homelessness, to encourage childhood literacy and to encourage people to invest in our community. We will miss him dearly.”
Under Gray’s leadership, United Way has succeeded in many of its initiatives and campaigns. Gray has helped recruit and train more than 2,500 campaign volunteers and has worked in a variety of United Way settings to promote collaboration. He also headed an initiative to build and sustain two quality childcare facilities, Arthurtown and Tender Years Child Development Centers, both of which have been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, an accomplishment shared by only 3% of all child care facilities in South Carolina.
Gray has shown a continued dedication to philanthropy by serving on the Board of Directors for Fast Forward and Elder Care and as a member of the Energy Advisory Council. After Hurricane Katrina, Gray played a pivotal role in relocation efforts of evacuees with SC Cares. He has been a loyal volunteer and is also a member of the Tocqueville society, United Way’s national program that recognizes leadership giving. In 2008, Gray was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central SC Chapter as Outstanding Fundraising Executive.
In addition to raising two children of their own, Mike and his wife, Sharon, have fostered two young adults, hosted 14 foreign exchange students and fostered more than 200 rescue dogs over the years.
About United Way of the Midlands:
United Way of the Midlands is the most organized, efficient and accountable system for investing in the community. With more than 70 certified partner agencies, United Way works to identify and respond to the critical human service needs of Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland counties. Funds are raised through workplace campaigns, grant writing and individual donations. For more information, please visit www.uway.org.
