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United Way adopts funding process
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Robert Hannon
YOUNGSTOWN
The new funding process of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley could result in some longtime United Way agencies’ and programs’ losing money and some new ones taking their place.
The local United Way has made significant changes to its funding process by opening it to any nonprofit organization delivering health and human services in Mahoning County, said Robert Hannon, local UW president.
In addition, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley will follow the lead of United Way Worldwide and direct its focus to the impact areas of education, income, and health and core services such as Sojourner House and Help Hotline Crisis Center, he said.
Currently, the local United Way funds some 70 programs offered by 26 community agencies.
“Actually, it was sort of a closed society. But with the new funding process, we could lose some agencies and programs and gain others,” Hannon said. “If programs and agencies that have been funded for a long time don’t fall into these impact areas, they could find themselves not getting funding.”
If a program that has been funded by United Way for a long time is not funded, their boards and donors might not be happy.
“But we believe that funding the programs with the greatest impact in education, income and health will satisfy our donors,” Hannon added.
Also, he said, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley is trying to become a better partner of United Way Worldwide, formerly known as United Way America.
“I think it’s confusing to the donors to have each United Way doing its own thing. It’s important to have system alignment,” he said.
“Panels have been working since February to identify key focus areas within each of these three impact areas [education, income and health],” said Ginny Pasha, director of community impact.
“This impact model will move our United Way closer to achieving its mission of sustained improvement in the lives of Mahoning Valley residents by bringing together the community to create measurable and enduring changes in the areas of education, income and health,” said Brian Kolenich, executive director of Park Vista Retirement Community and the UW Community Impact chairman.
“It is a great opportunity for United Way and other community partners to align the ongoing work of the Community Health Assessment Plan with United Way funding priorities for the benefit of our community,” said Matthew Stefanak, Mahoning County Health Commissioner and chairman of the Health Impact Panel.
Nonprofit organizations that wish to apply for funding through United Way should visit www.ymvunitedway.org for planning documents that outline the focus areas and strategies. Here are some of the requirements:
Submit a letter of interest, which also can be found on the website, and meet these eligibility guidelines and have available for review, bylaws; affirmative action policy/nondiscrimination policies; directors and officers insurance; liability insurance; board approved fiscal policies and procedures; board approved personnel policies and procedures handbook; and articles of incorporation
Organizations must be able to document the agency is governed by a voluntary board of directors consisting of general community members.
Has at least one full-time exempt staff person.
Has been in business for at least two years.
Is committing some of its own resources to the program.
Has an outcome-measurement system.
Will conduct a workplace campaign to benefit United Way.
Letters of interest on the required form must be received at the United Way office, 255 Watt St., Youngstown, OH44505, by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 19. Anyone interested in receiving more information on the requirements and process can attend a one-hour information session at 2 p.m. Aug. 1 in the large conference room at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown. For more information, call 330-746-8494.
Source: United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley