United Way: Why is it a great investment?

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United Way’s mission to mobilize resources to improve lives positions the organization as the “go to place for community solutions” bringing partners and resources together to have positive results. United Way is invaluable in convening and mobilizing in time of disaster and creating scalable solutions that benefit the entire community such as:

Mobile Dental Van which provides care and screening to over 9,700 children at the schools as a result of United Way’s efforts. The Dental Van is owned and operated by the Community Healthcare Center.

Communities in Schools Non-Profit which The nation’s most successful dropout prevention program addressing the high risk needs of youth and incubated by United Way.- and now in five schools an a stand alone organization.

2-1-1 Texas: connects 16,000 callers needed resources and services annually and is a United Way internal program.

United Way raises $1.6 million though the campaign and generates another $1.8 million in services that would not otherwise be available to the community through internally coordinated programs which provide:

• prescription discounts for hundreds of uninsured and underinsured individuals
• free books for thousands of children
• tax credits for hundreds of hardworking low income families
• emergency food and shelter assistance to individuals and families

United Way internal programs yield a return of $36 to $1 ratio on a $50,000 investment which are available only through significant local and national partnerships and in-kind contributions. There is a $6 return for every $1 invested in United Way staff and operational expenses. So every dollar invested in United Way reaps a very high return to the community.

Faced with needs that were rapidly outpacing the campaign revenue, it became evident that “doing business as usual” for the past 80 years wasn’t going to allow United Way to be responsive or effective in addressing the future needs of the community.

Eight years ago, the United Way board, made up of community leaders, began to strategically transition the organization to allow the agency to be more accountable and have measured results in changing community conditions. Every board since that time has continued to guide and direct the transition. Those decisions proved to be wise and prudent as the agency faced a 30% decrease in funds due to company closures and the downturn in the economy in 2007-08.

United Way has communicated the changes consistently while gradually transitioning agencies from deficit funding to program funding, to an online application, providing multiple trainings in preparation for the move to outcomes based funding. The new process was open to all 501 (3) organization for the first time.

At the end of the day, seven previously funded partners were not funded and two new agencies were funded. First Step (mentioned in a letter to the editor – Sept 20) actually has not received funds since 2007 and did not apply for funding in 2009. Two agencies returned funds, one could not provide the program for which they applied and another did not want to provide the financial audit and a ½ page outcomes report.

The new process is not an annual process but one that is ongoing and evolving. As the needs and gaps are identified by the community and funds are available new funding announcements will be made and non-profits may apply. The ongoing process will be funded through grants, individual and corporate funds, in addition to campaign revenue.

The United Way brought the community’s best and brightest stakeholders, including agencies together to determine local priorities. The shared belief is that the United Way can improve more lives, more efficiently and more permanently by focusing resources on proven strategies that strengthen environments in three key areas: Education, Income and Health. To illustrate:

• United Way still supports child care, but focuses on child care programs that provide quality learning and early childhood literacy.
• United Way still supports programs for seniors, but focuses on those programs that ensure adequate nutrition and access to health care.

• United Way still supports anti-poverty programs, but focuses on programs that teach financial literacy and provide job skills.
• United Way still supports youth, but focuses on programs that are proven to accomplish academic success.

Yes, it is a different approach. But it is also a better, smarter approach.

Over its 80-year lifespan in North Texas, the United Way has adapted to changes in demographics, economics, social needs and charitable resources. I believe the most recent change will allow the United Way to further its mission “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community we live in” for generations to come.

Times change. Needs change. Resources change.

United Way isn’t a building, a board, a CEO or a group of agencies. United Way is over 300 community partners, 2,000 companies, 24,000 donors, 900 volunteers and 60,000 thousand individuals, children and families who are benefiting from the programs. United Way touches all of us who live and work in this community.