Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions. We have answers.
Who are the United Way partners?
Were agencies warned that they might not receive funds ?
Is United Way dictating to agencies and agency boards how to operate their program?
Why does United Way exist if it's not to financially support agencies?
Why did programs receive less funding than in the past?
Who is eligible to apply for United Way funds?
Why didn't Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire receive program funding?
Why did Iowa Park Friendly Door decline United Way Funds?
Did Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire receive any money this year?
Why should I give to the United Way if my favorit program provider didn't get funded?
Why is United Way funding internal programs like Imagination Library and EITC?
Why should we give to the United Way when times are tough and the economy is down?
Why did United Way choose to invest in strategies that improve outcomes related to Education, Income and Health?
In 2001, United Way began the dialogue to determine how to better meet the increasing needs of the community, the demand for higher accountability todonors, while facing decreased campaign income. After eight years of researching trends, best practices and national and local needs, the United Way determined to strategically focus efforts in three broad areas that provide the building blocks of a good life – Education, Income and Health. United Way’s overall goal is to focus efforts on attacking the root cause issues that create the increased need and dependency on social services and decrease the demand for more money to fund more services.
The strategies that were funded in 2009 were determined after four years of research on national and local best practices that could make the most difference in accomplishing the goals of increasing graduation rates, increasing financial stability of families and increasing the health and independence of older adults.
Who are the United Way partners ?
Every entity and individual in our community is a partner. We can only make a difference when we all work together to improve outcomes. United Way partners with over 100 organizations to advance the common good related to Education, Income and Health. We fund over 12 direct agencies to implement specific strategies and we partner with multiple local and national organizations to build and implement frameworks that improve our community.
Were agencies warned that they might not receive funds?
United Way notified all funded agencies in 2004 that the funding model was changing. We have included agencies on all of the impact councils and they helped to draft the request for proposals. Since 2004, United Way has encouraged program providers to diversify their revenue sources so that United Way was not the primary source of funding.
Is United Way dictating to agencies and agency boards how to operate their programs?
United Way does not dictate how programs should operate, rather we partner with organizations to measure outcomes and design effective programs. United Way uses outcomes to measure change and help us to know if, as a community, we are making a difference. When needed, United Way works with programs to implement changes that can improve results. Through this process, our community is ensured that every program they support through United Way is having the most significant impact possible.
All organizations that apply for United Way funds understand that they are applying for funds that will produce outcomes related to Education, Income and Health. The application process is competitive and United Way has no way of knowing which programs will or will not receive funds until all applications are reviewed. The proposals that have the best program design related to Education, Income and Health are the programs that receive funding.
Why does United Way exist if it's not to financially support agencies?
United Way exists to advance the common good and make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community. We do not exist to support agencies, but instead we fund programs that can make a difference related to the priorities identified in our community. The Community Impact model allows us to do a better job of fulfilling our mission and increases our level of accountability. Many successful solutions don’t require money - they happen when we pool resources and collaborate around the issues.
United Way is the only organization in our community that researches community conditions, mobilizes resources, reports outcomes and modifies programs when needed. Through this strategy, we can truly make a difference, together.
Why did programs receive less funding than in the past?
There was almost $400,000 less money to allocate. United Way cannot fund everything, otherwise we would only be able to give very small amounts of funding to a lot of programs. This would decrease our ability to improve lives
Who is eligible for United Way funds?
All non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funds through a request for proposals. Through this process, organizations must competitively apply for funds for programs that will improve outcomes related to Education, Income and Health.
Why didn't Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire receive program funding?
United Way funds programs – not agencies. Youth Programs were funded based on their outcomes in increasing the graduation rates. The above programs although excellent, were not the best ones to meet that objective. Funded youth programs included: Quality daily afterschool programs, in school programs and weekend programs that address students who are at an increased risk to drop-out of school. These strategies were funded because they are proven to make the most difference in children’s success in school.
Why did Iowa Park Friendly Door decline United Way funds?
Iowa Park Friendly Door asked United Way to exempt them from the partner requirements to provide a ½ page quarterly outcomes report and an independent financial audit. United Way requires audits for any organizations that have above $250,000 in revenue so that we can ensure fiscal accountability to donors and the community. United Way requests quarterly reports so that we can measure progress and help programs make improvements when they are having a hard time meeting outcomes. United Way declined the requested contract provisions and, as a result, the Friendly Door refused the funds.
Did Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire receive any money this year?
Yes – All 2008 partner organizations received funds through March of 2009. As a result, over $62,000 were provided to organizations in 2009 that are no longer funded partner agencies. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire received close to $50,000.
Why should I give to United Way if my favorite program provider didn't get funded?
You should give to United Way if you want to see improvements in your community. United Way’s work is based on improving community systems to make a difference, not just focusing efforts on one organization.
Why is United Way funding internal programs like Imagination Library and EITC ?
United Way has many roles in the community, including funder, program designer, convener, facilitator and collaborator. United Way has a mission to advance the common good and in order to accomplish this, we need to leverage resources and use all of the tools and resources available to us.Needs today are complex and can’t be solved by a single program. United Way has the ability to address issues on a broader scale.
United Way only invests 6% ($50,000) of revenue in internal programs and does so because our national and local partnerships enable us to implement programs that are greatly needed in our community at a very low cost. All internal strategies are directly linked to improving outcomes related to Education, Income and Health.
An example of this is the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VITA): For every dollar spent on the VITA program in 2008, the community benefit was $192.90.
Why should we give to United Way when times are tough and the economy is down ?
During tough economic times, community funding is often decreased, but the need for funds in the community is greater. We need to pull together to make a difference and begin to measure our progress toward long-term change.
When children enter school ready to learn, more youth graduate and individuals are healthy, we all win. If kids are succeeding and graduating from school, families are self sufficient, and individuals are healthy --- we all win! The alternative is too expensive – in terms of increased taxes, increased crime and increased healthcare costs.