Soon after joining the board of United Way of Greater Los Angeles in 1998, David Fuhrman found himself in a room of 75 potential donors. He wondered if he would be successful in raising funds for the umbrella charity.

It wasn’t all that difficult. Before he even spoke, three people had contributed of $1,000 or more. By the time he left, there were another 34 donations.

“Most people have an interest in helping others or improving conditions, but many just need to be asked,” said Fuhrman. “It’s amazing what a five-minute conversation can do as far as people’s willingness to open their wallets and make a donation.”

Fuhrman, recently elected the 2005-2006 Community Campaign Chairman for the local chapter of United Way, has a fundraising goal of $55.5 million for the year.

“What we do is find the real problems that are facing Los Angeles,” he said. “We’re not going to impact one or two lives, but thousands.”

Fuhrman, who works at United Way as a volunteer, is chief executive of the Los Angeles operations of Willis Group Holdings Ltd. “Time management is a challenge from the standpoint of the number of meetings I have to attend and the number of calls I have to make.”

Fuhrman schedules two to four meetings each week to seek donations and pledges for the organization. He sets up workplace campaigns, where employers agree to help collect donations for the organization.

“Everyone deep down wants to improve the conditions of people’s lives: the working poor and the destitute. It’s not enough to just punch the clock and do well in your business career,” said Fuhrman. “Everyone wants something more fulfilling. That’s why I choose to spend the limited time and resources I have to help United Way.”

Fuhrman spends his free time reading, golfing, kickboxing, and swimming.