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Clipping coupons. Bargain-hunting. Watching for sales.
Much like you work to stretch your family's budget when money is tight, United Way of Union County volunteers worked
to stretch donor dollars in their recently completed allocations process. And while they weren't exactly discount
shopping for social services, they did employ a new funding process that will make the United Way dollar go farther
this year.
The end result is that 40 specific community programs of 26 local agencies will receive United
Way funding in 2010, totaling $562,946.87. Total community support from United Way will exceed $634,000 this year.
That is within $3,500 of 2009 totals despite a recession-plagued fundraising campaign that still managed to come
within 2 percent of last year's record-setting collection.
"We were able to spend donor dollars in ways that give the best return on the donors' investment, choosing
the services that do the 'most' at the 'best price,'" said Barb Nicol, volunteer co-Chair of United Way's
14-member Community Investment Committee. "This year especially, I saw agency staff doing more and more with
dwindling resources - because they understand the need."
Volunteers had to decide how to divide donor dollars among agencies' program requests that were $149,086 higher
than the amount available and 24% higher than what United Way provided a year ago. That means maximizing the money
that was available by scrutinizing how they could get the most bang for your charitable buck. So instead of looking
at an agency's overall funding request, volunteers analyzed each specific program request within that agency. By
reviewing and funding each line item individually, the volunteers were able to focus on funding particular needs.
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Donor dollars must be allocated appropriately
or we have failed in our committment to this community.
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Brian O'Kane, United Way Board Member
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"In the past, some funding requests were for 'general administration' kinds of purposes,"
said Nicol, who served her 14th year on the committee. "Now we are asking agencies to request funds for specific
programs. And we are asking for evidence on what those programs are accomplishing or intend to accomplish."
"As such we had significantly more funding requests to work through," said Brian O'Kane, a seven-year
committee veteran. "But the end result is a better finished product due the higher level of detail. These
donor dollars must be allocated appropriately or we have failed in our commitment to this community."
The Salvation Army's Homeless Prevention Program is now United Way's top-funded program at $60,000. It provides
rent and utility assistance to local residents who have an eviction notice or a utility already shut off. Overall,
The Salvation Army will receive $79,896. The American Red Cross Union County Chapter will receive $33,000 this
year for its Disaster Services, which include response to individual families who suffer a house fire and wide-spread
community preparation for floods or other natural disasters. Overall, American Red Cross will receive $76,800.
Funding to programs that provide Emergency & Basic Needs will receive $241,396, or 38 percent of the allocated
monies. The Youth Services Impact Area will receive $142,250.87. Health & Human Service programs will receive
$137,000. Senior Services will receive $40,300. $62,580.18 will be spent on other local United Way programming.
Donors designated $10,796.11 to other United Ways around the state.
"The need for safety, food, and shelter has increased and those programs certainly took priority," O'Kane
said. "We started by trying to cover the most critical human needs while continuing to provide for the wants
of all worthwhile programs. Past funding levels played a very small role this year."
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| Volunteers on the Community Investment Committee keep tabs of their
calculations on a wall-sized spreadsheet as they decide how to spend donor dollars at their January meeting. More
than $636,000 in United Way support will be divided throughout Union County in 2010. |
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"There was considerable discussion about how diminished allocation amounts to a program
would affect the individuals who utilize that particular service," Nicol said. "We tried to be mindful
of the practical application of our decisions. The discussion was vigorous and thorough. We requested additional
information when we thought we needed it. I do think we did the best we could with what we had."
United Way officials are projecting a final 2009-10 fundraising total of $825,000. That's less than 2% off last
year's record-setting campaign of $840,000 but 8% short of the $900,000 goal.
"We have a very giving community," said first-year volunteer Diane Hutson. "This past year has been
a very difficult year financially with economic struggles. Even though we were below our goal the amount of money
raised was incredible. Individuals and businesses reached deep in their pockets to support the United Way regardless
of their own financial concerns."
The 2010 United Way Program Allocations
| Emergency & Basic Needs Impact Area |
| Program |
Agency |
2010 Support
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| Advocacy for Domestic Violence Victims |
Turning Point |
$22,000.00
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| Armed Forces Emergency Services |
American Red Cross Union County Chapter |
$25,000.00
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| Congregate Meals |
Memorial Meals |
$7,500.00
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| Direct Re-Housing for Homeless Families |
The Salvation Army |
$19,896.00
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| Disaster Services |
American Red Cross Union County Chapter |
$33,000.00
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| Food Pantry |
Marysville Area Ministerial Association
(Includes funding to food pantries in Marysville, Milford Center, Plain City, Richwood) |
$6,000.00
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| Home Delivered Meals |
Memorial Meals |
$20,000.00
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| Homeless Prevention Program |
The Salvation Army |
$60,000.00
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| Homeless Shelters |
Marion Shelter Program |
$12,500.00
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| Personal Needs Items |
North Union Local School District Personal Needs Pantry |
$3,000.00
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| Personal Needs Items |
Union County Personal Needs Pantry |
$21,000.00
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| Supplemental Meals |
Memorial Meals |
$5,500.00
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| Union Co. Emergency Assistance Program |
Marysville Area Ministerial Association |
$6,000.00
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| Total |
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$241,396.00 -- 38%
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| Youth Services Impact Area |
| Program |
Agency |
2010 Support
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| Child Assault Prevention |
Consolidated Care, Inc. |
$8,000.00
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| Drug & Alcohol Prevention Education |
Consolidated Care, Inc |
$9,000.00
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| Early Childhood Literacy |
Dolly Parton Imagination Library |
$19,689.65
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| Financial Aid for Child Care |
Child Care Network |
$25,000.00
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| Girl Scout Leadership Development |
Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland |
$3,000.00
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| North Star Youth Center (Richwood) |
Consolidated Care, Inc. |
$20,000.00
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| Participation Fees for Youth Activities |
Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund |
$4,706.25
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| Scholarships for Y Programs |
Union County Family YMCA |
$19,000.00
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| Traditional Scouting |
Boy Scouts Simon Kenton Council |
$12,854.97
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| Union County Youth Mentoring |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Union County |
$21,000.00
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| Total |
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$142,250.87 -- 22%
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| Senior Services Impact Area |
| Program |
Agency |
2010 Support
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| Activity Program Services |
Richwood Civic Center |
$13,000.00
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| Advocacy & Community Outreach |
Richwood Civic Center |
$14,000.00
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| Community & Seasoned Citizens |
Community & Seasoned Citizens |
$3,000.00
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| Senior Citizens Services |
Pleasant Valley Seniors |
$5,800.00
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| Senior Citizens Services |
Windsor & Community Seniors |
$4,500.00
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| Total |
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$40,300.00 -- 6%
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| Health & Human Services Impact Area |
| Program |
Agency |
2010 Support
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| Blood Services/Bloodmobiles |
American Red Cross Union County Chapter |
$6,000.00
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| Cancer Patient Assistance |
Union County Cancer Society |
$25,000.00
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| Health & Safety Services |
American Red Cross Union County Chapter |
$12,800.00
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| Here4Hope Suicide Support Group |
Consolidated Care, Inc. |
$3,000.00
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| Hospice & Palliative Care Programs |
Loving Care Hospice |
$26,000.00
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| Legal Representation for Low Income |
Legal Aid Society |
$10,000.00
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| Mental Health Wellness & Screenings |
Mental Health America of Union County |
$14,500.00
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| No Wrong Door Website Maintenance |
Community Services Association |
$400.00
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| Peer Support/Job Club |
Wings Enrichment Center |
$10,500.00
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| Prescription Assistance and other needs |
Union County Special Needs Council |
$20,000.00
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| Prescription Voucher Program |
Plain City Free Clinic |
$3,600.00
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| Speech & Hearing Therapy |
Memorial Hospital Speech Language & Hearing |
$5,200.00
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| Total |
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$137,000.00 -- 22%
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| Other Programs |
| Program |
Agency |
2010 Support
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| Donor Designations to other Communities |
Other United Ways |
$10,796.11
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Other United Way Programs
(Includes Community Care Day, School Supply Drive, Grants, and more) |
United Way of Union County |
$62,580.18
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| Total |
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$73,376.29 -- 12%
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TOTAL 2010 UNITED WAY COMMUNITY SUPPORT $634,323.16
United Way's own net fundraising and administrative budget for 2010 stands at $148,728. That
means roughly 18% of the money raised during the 2009-10 campaign will go to cover United Way's overhead. A non-profit
organization meets one of the charitable accountability standards of the Better Business Bureau if 35% of the money
raised goes toward fundraising and administrative costs. Additionally, $41,200 has been allocated to "Pledge
Loss" in anticipation that 5% of the money pledged by donors in the 2009-10 campaign will not be paid in 2010.
United Way works to bring neighbors and resources together to improve lives in Union County.
More than just a fundraiser, United Way collaborates with local businesses, government, and non-profit organizations
to solve pressing social service issues large and small.
For more information, please contact the United Way of Union County at (937) 644-8381 or
visit www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org.
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