United Way of Central Maryland Announces Greater Baltimore Committee’s Don Fry as 2015 Campaign Chair

From United Way of Central Maryland:

United Way of Central Maryland has named Donald C. Fry, the President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, as the 2015 Campaign Chair.

In his position, Fry will lead the 2015 United Way of Central Maryland fundraising campaign. The campaign aims to raise more than $24 million to support United Way’s work to provide families throughout central Maryland the tools, resources and support they need to build financial stability, obtain access to healthy food and quality health care, and keep kids in school.

“We have a big task this year,” said Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, and campaign chair, United Way of Central Maryland. “Recent events in Baltimore have demonstrated that we need to come together as a community now more than ever.

“Whether as a public servant, President and CEO of the GBC or volunteering with United Way, I’ve been actively engaged in creating opportunities and long-term solutions that improve lives and our communities,” Fry added. “It’s important to invest in work that has real impact and scale, and that is what we are poised to do with United Way of Central Maryland this year.”

Out of college, Fry joined the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees), a nonprofit organization of young active citizens who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities. The Jaycee creed, “Service to humanity is the best work of life,” is a mantra that Fry has followed in his career, both in his current role as president and chief executive officer of the Greater Baltimore Committee, and in his continued service to the Baltimore community, even serving as chair for United Way of Central Maryland’s Journey Home in 2012.

Fry has been president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, the region’s most prominent organization of business and civic leaders, since November 1, 2002. Since that time, he has crafted a vision for the GBC that is taking shape in the form of bold initiatives designed to strengthen the Baltimore area’s business climate. He has made advocacy for viable regional transportation a top GBC priority and led the 10-month study in 2010 that produced the GBC’s Competitive Edge Report. He also created the “Bridging the Gap” initiative to grow and expand minority and women-owned businesses in a multi-dimensional effort that includes seminars, networking and mentoring programs.

Fry is one of only a handful of legislators, past and present, to have served on each of the major budget committees of the Maryland General Assembly.

“As one of our region’s most influential leaders, Don is the perfect person to lead this year’s fundraising campaign,” said Mark Furst, president & chief executive officer, United Way of Central Maryland. “My team and I look forward to working closely with him as we mobilize the community this year.”

For more information about United Way of Central Maryland, or to learn how you can contribute to the 2015 campaign, visit www.uwcm.org.