United Way announces program grants for 2010-2013
United Way of Greenville County announced today it will award more than $5.82 million in Program Investment grants to fund 86 local programs each year for the next three years.
United Way’s volunteer board of trustees unanimously approved the 2010-2013 funding recommendation from its Community Impact Cabinet, ending a competitive process that began last fall with 130 community volunteers evaluating 123 program applications.
The record number of applications, coupled with an $800,000 reduction in funds available to distribute due to decreased contributions to United Way’s annual campaign, increased donor designations to specific agencies, an increase in uncollectible pledges and other economic factors, resulted in some difficult decisions during the evaluation process.
View a complete listing of funded programs and the local agencies that provide them.
Ultimately, programs and funding amounts were selected based on a series of factors designed to ensure the greatest return on investment for the 38,000 donors who support the community through United Way. These factors include: 1) A program’s ability to address United Way’s Community Impact focus areas of nurturing children, guiding youth, strengthening families, improving community health and assisting people in crisis; 2) Program/agency finances and sustainability; 3) Program results measurement and reporting; and 4) Demonstration of community collaboration, innovation and best practices.
“The process was extremely competitive this year,” said 2010 United Way Board Chair Margaret Clark, “but because of the rigorous evaluation process, we’re confident the programs selected will make the best, most efficient use of the available funds contributed by United Way supporters.”
Other factors considered in the application review process include the longevity of the program as a United Way community partner; the overall impact funding increases or decreases would have on the operation of the agency as a whole; the population served by the program, with special attention to underserved, underrepresented and at-risk groups; the current economic climate and its effect on program services and quality; the program’s ability to leverage other funding sources, in-kind services and maximize community collaboration; and consideration for gaps in services within specific geographic regions and demographic groups in Greenville County.
Fifteen new programs received funding for the 2010-2013 funding cycle. These programs cut across all five Community Impact focus areas. They are:
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Catholic Charities of the Piedmont |
Pleasant Valley Connection (Child |
Pending an annual assessment of progress toward achieving program objectives and the success of the annual campaign, the funding allocation of $5,828,912 will be continued for the three-year period of July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2013.
“Providing a multi-year source of funding to these local programs is a fundamental part of being a caring community,” said Clark. “These programs are essential to providing necessary services and support to help individuals, families and neighborhoods throughout our community who need help right now.”
Addressing immediate needs through program investment is one key element of the organization’s work, Clark said. Additionally, two years ago, United Way established three strategic focus areas of school readiness, high school graduation and financial stability to alleviate future needs through long-range solutions.
“If we can get children ready to learn and sustain that eagerness and readiness through the middle and high school years, the result will be individuals and families who are educated, can compete in our economy, and add value to our already great community,” said Clark. “This comprehensive plan to attack the root causes of problems will improve community conditions and create a cycle of success that will benefit not only individuals and families in need, but our entire community.”
As part of this work, United Way has allocated $2.24 million to support key community initiatives and services. Initiatives include Child Care Resource & Referral, Graduate Greenville, the Greenville Collaborative for Workforce Development, a Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program; scholarships through the Women’s Leadership - Jobs to Careers program; and neighborhood development through the Greenville Dreams initiative. Community services include Hands On Greenville and 2-1-1.
In addition to Program Investment grants of $5.82 million and allocations of $2.24 million for community initiatives and services, United Way has distributed more than $2.52 million in donor-designated contributions to specific agencies.
Collectively, United Way is investing $10.6 million into programs, initiatives and health and human service agencies.
