CHANGING FOCUS FOR A CHANGING WORLD
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding United Way of Lane County’s agenda for advancing the common good and about changes in agency funding in 2010.
Why is United Way of Lane County changing its funding focus?
United Way, nationally and locally, has been in the midst of a major transformation of effectiveness. The new model is known as “Community Impact.” Rather than spread dollars thinly across a wide range of programs, Community Impact focuses our resources, partnerships, fundraising, and volunteers on the building blocks for a good life – EDUCATION, INCOME, and HEALTH.
Our ultimate goal is to solve community problems for the long term, not just manage them. To that end, measurable goals for 2020 have been set (see the illustration at the bottom of this page). Committed and collaborative progress on these goals will help targeted populations and ripple out to positively affect a host of other human needs and community issues. This will ultimately diminish the need for costly interventions with people in crisis.
Rather than being just a conduit for funds, United Way develops innovative strategies, creates strong partnerships, and encourages collaboration in order to effect long-term change in Lane County. One part of our strategy for achieving the goals for 2020 includes shifting funding to agencies and programs that directly and measurably "move the needle" on these goals.
Who makes the funding decisions?
Community Investment Panels, comprised of volunteers, go through a two-phase process. Phase one is a review of “letters of intent” submitted by local human service nonprofits hoping to compete for funds. These letters of intent are evaluated based on a scored set of criteria. Those agencies whose letters of intent received a sufficient accumulative score were invited to participate in phase two of the Community Investment Process by submitting a full proposal.
Were all agencies in Lane County free to apply or only the United Way regulars?
In 2010 we leveled the playing field for all potential applicants by opening the door to all 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, human service agencies in Lane County.
I’ve learned that some of my favorite agencies were not invited to submit final proposals. Why not?
Three of United Way of Lane County’s traditionally-funded agencies submitted letters of intent that did not pass phase one of the Community Investment Process. All are highly-respected agencies providing excellent programs. They are Boy Scouts Oregon Trail Council, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Eugene Family YMCA.
It was a difficult decision for the volunteer panels but the letters of intent these agencies submitted did not meet the established criteria met by other applicants including evidence-based programs with the ability to measure results.
These agencies have great programs. Why didn’t the volunteer panels ask them to submit proposals?
We agree completely about the important programs they each offer. These three agencies represent high standards of nonprofit management and all offer valuable programs of great merit. However, while each of their letters of intent had strong points their accumulative scores eased them out of the competition.
All proposed projects for funding had to be aligned with the established Goals for 2020 (see end of this document) and must have demonstrated the agencies’ ability to provide measurable outcomes. High scores were awarded to agencies whose proposals included an element of collaboration and that clearly targeted populations most at risk for a life of poverty.
It’s important to note that these long-time partners were not “defunded.” The volunteer community investment panels determined that their letters of intent described proposals that did not align with the Goals for 2020. They will continue to receive United Way funding through June 2010 and will always receive donations from donors who choose to have all or part of their United Way donation directed to them.
Did all the agencies understand United Way’s new focus and were they given support in preparing for this major shift?
Yes. United Way meets monthly with the heads of all funded agencies through the United Way Agency Directors Organization (UWADO). The shift to community impact has been discussed for nearly three years and many agency directors were part of the design and planning process that began three years ago. A series of trainings was held to guide applicants through the new process. Detailed information and instruction materials were available online and in print. Additionally, our director of community impact made herself fully available to meet with individual agencies to assure their understanding of how best to apply and compete for funds.
What about basic needs and emergency services? Have they been cut?
On the contrary. The majority of our funding will continue to support a countywide safety net services of basic needs and emergency services including food, shelter, safety, health care, and access to services. In fact, as you'll see from the chart below, basic needs services provide a necessary foundation for our goals. For example, children need shelter, food and safety to be able to succeed in school.
What are the Goals for 2020?
The chart below illustrates the action areas described above which comprise the building blocks for a good life – EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH. United Way will be moving the community towards resolution of identified major issues and will work with partners in government, business, and the nonprofit sector to “move the needle” in these important areas.
The current Goals for 2020 define our focus for the next ten years. Upon accomplishment, the focus will change. For example, in EDUCATION we are currently directing our community resources towards school readiness. In future years, United Way volunteers will set a new target which may be third-grade reading levels or high school graduation rates in order to have the most impact on children and their chance for a successful life.
