More than 700 brochures and pledge cards will be finding their way into university mailboxes this week.

The brochures are from Iowa Shares, a non-profit organization that raises money through the workplace. Faculty and staff members in every department will be offered a chance to pledge money through a payroll deduction.

The donations are then divided among member organizations unless otherwise specified by the donor, said Peggy Baker, executive director of Iowa Shares. Members include Amnesty International of Iowa, the Iowa Environmental Council and the Women’s Resource and Action Center.

“We differ from United Way in that our member organizations are much more diverse,” Baker said. “We’re a hodgepodge of social change groups.”

To many, the change is welcome. Professor James Evans is supportive of the option to donate.

“It’s a great principle — helping out different groups all at once,” Evans said.

Not everyone is excited to donate. Staff member Mark Anderson said he wouldn’t be donating any money.

Iowa Shares was established in 1992 by 13 organizations who were not eligible to receive funding from United Way. Iowa Shares has grown to 21 members and now has the power to access both public and private companies.

“For many years United Way had a monopoly on workplace giving,” Baker said. “Iowa Shares wants to give workers another option.”

They’ve been exercising that option. This year Iowa Shares expects to raise over $100,000.

“Our only goal is to create awareness of issues and a chance to donate,” Baker said. “Employees seem to appreciate that choice.”

This Saturday, Oct. 12, Iowa Shares is holding a fund-raiser called “Coalition of Social Change.” Guest speaker will be author and movie director, Michael Moore. Moore will speak at Hoover High School in Des Moines at 7 p.m. Tickets are $16 at the door.