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United Way Invests Donor DollarsVolunteers distribute funds to local health and human service programs |
Char-Em United Way is pleased to announce a wide range of Community Investments to help support effective health and human service programs in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties in the coming year. The programs focus on meeting the community’s needs for Education, Income and Health.
A total of $287,740 will be invested in a variety of programs and initiative that will have a direct impact on the lives of tens of thousands of Charlevoix and Emmet County residents. Nearly $205,000 will go to 28 programs of local organizations which submitted grant requests. An additional $36,500 in designated donations will be passed on to specific agencies. The United Way Board also set aside approximately $31,000 in an Emerging Needs Fund for allocation later in the year and $15,000 to be invested in United Way’s Initiative programs.
“Char-Em United Way’s Community Investments are 10% greater than last year,” said Therese Green, Chair of United Way’s Allocation Committee. “We are very pleased to be in a position to provide so much funding to such a wide variety of local programs.”
The increased investment was made possible through the generosity of the community which helped Char-Em United Way exceed its ambitious campaign goal by over 5%. A Campaign Celebration Breakfast is planned for Thursday June 14 at O zone, the Nightclub, at the Odawa Casino.
Each year, the United Way Board reviews current community needs and sets funding priorities. Non-profit agencies submit applications, along with extensive information about their program impact and financial status. Over the past several years, Char-Em United Way has become more strategic about identifying priority needs and outcomes for its funding.
“We can ensure our donors that there is a tremendous amount of accountability in how we invest their funds to meet community needs,” says Martha Lancaster, Executive Director. “In the old days, United Way funding was at best a pass-through and at worst an entitlement. This is no longer the case. With community need increasing, our investors demand results from the funds they donate.”
Char-Em United Way asks its volunteer Citizen Review Panel to analyze the best way to invest the support of over 2,000 donors to its annual campaign. The 35 volunteers weighed the impact made by each of the agency programs against the requests made by those organizations, the pool of available funds, and overall community needs. Perhaps the most time-intensive for the volunteers were the agency panel presentations where organizations presented information about their programs and Citizen Review Panel volunteers had the opportunity to ask questions.
“The volunteers take their role very seriously and expect accountability from our funded partners for the support that United Way provides,” continued Lancaster.
The panels submitted their recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors which made final decisions on May 10.
For more information on how you can support your community through the United Way or to make a reservation for the Celebration Breakfast, please contact them at 231-487-1006 or info@charemunitedway.org or visit www.charemunitedway.org or become a fan of Char-Em United Way’s Facebook page.
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