The goal was set at $535,000, the highest in school history. Money raised as of March 24 totaled $533,022 — less than $2,000 short.

"The Washington University community continued to be very generous in its financial support of the United Way, even though some of our faculty and staff were feeling the strain of assisting family members directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina and all are experiencing increased expenses due to this devastating storm," said Ann B. Prenatt, vice chancellor for human resources.

"We continue to be grateful to those who consistently pledge and to those who pledged for the first time."

The United Way of Greater St. Louis is one of the more active — and successful — campaigns in the nation.

Fully 93 percent of contributions to the United Way of Greater St. Louis goes directly to providing services for people in the community, the highest rate in the country for any United Way chapter raising $25 million or more.

"Our campaign co-chairs have once again done a terrific job of managing this campaign and educating colleagues about the great work accomplished by the United Way of Greater St. Louis," Prenatt said.