United Way of St. Joseph County Board Votes to Maintain Agency Program Allocations

April 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Board members of the United Way of St. Joseph County (UWSJC) voted on Thursday to maintain the current level of their agency program allocations for 2010. $1,704 856 will be awarded to 23 funded partner agencies even though the 2009 United Way annual campaign is expected to fall short of its fundraising goal. In addition to allocations approved for the Community Investment Fund, $392,000 was designated by donors to specific United Way affiliated organizations.  

Pamela C. Meyer, board chair, said, “The mission of United Way is to create better communities during good, as well as during difficult economic times. Therefore, because the financial condition for many residents has dramatically increased the demand for human and social services, our board took a bold step to do everything we could to help support children and their families through this immediate crises. But, we also intend to keep working with community partners to create long-term solutions to critical issues in St. Joe County.”

UWSJC has adopted the three key priority areas of Education, Income/Financial Stability, and Health as established in 2008 by United Way Worldwide.  Based upon information from the recent Community Needs Assessment as well as program outcome information provided by each agency, local UWSJC community volunteers recommended that 2010 allocations be distributed to each of the priority areas as follows:  Education 30%, Income/Financial Stability 45%, and Health 25%.

In 2010, UWSJC will have 23 partner agencies receiving program funding, including two new agencies: Camp Fire USA River Bend Council and Hope Ministries. Meyers indicated that these agencies share the United Way priorities and manage strong programs with demonstrated outcomes.

60 agency programs will be funded, compared to 56 programs in 2009. The majority of programs will have at least a portion of their funding extended from 2009 allocations. In addition, the UWSJC board voted to fund 7 new agency programs, totaling $129,800, which will address Education and Income/Financial Stability priorities: After School Parenting Groups (Family & Children’s Center Counseling and Development Services), Camp Tannadoonah Summer Residence Camp and Camp Tawanchi Summer Day Camp (Camp Fire USA River Bend Council), Nuestros Hijos/Our Children (La Casa de Amistad, Inc.), Scouting for At-Risk Youth (LaSalle Council Boy Scouts of America), and Hope 4 Kids, Academic Literacy, and Journey of Hope Basic Needs  (Hope Ministries).

Affiliate agencies not receiving United Way program funding but able to receive designated donations through United Way contributions are Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michigan, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc., Saint Joseph VNA Home Care and Women’s Care Center.

United Way’s campaign shortfall will be managed by reducing operational expenses, and if necessary, using reserve funds. Meyers said that staff and volunteers will continue to work strategically to increase individual and corporate donations, as well as to start campaigns in companies which do not currently hold them. The agency will also attempt to expand corporate sponsorships and contractual services.

For information about individual or corporate giving, contact Phil Gray, VP for Development at 574-232-8201 ext.231.

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