United Way of Southwest Michigan has set a 2009 campaign goal of $2.6 million. The ambitious goal is what is needed to fund the grants approved to more than 29 agencies by community volunteers last month.  

“While the campaign goal we set is lower than previous years, $2.6 million remains an ambitious goal in this economic climate,” said 2009 Campaign Chairman Gary Easterling. “The campaign goal is lower not because the need is lower, but because we are being realistic about what we can do. We know the needs far exceed the goal and United Way is trying to stretch the fundraising dollars as far as we can to meet those needs.”

“We know that United Way volunteers had to do some very tough decision making during the grant process.” Easterling continued. “I am still impressed by the generosity that our community shows and how compassionate people are to meet the needs of others. Being able to set the goal as high as we did speaks well of our community. I think people will see what United Way is trying to fund and will step up to help others.”

The Funding Decision Process

The funding process began more than three years ago when United Way of Southwest Michigan met with the partner agencies to let them know that funding allocations would remain the same for three years. Following those three years, funding priorities could shift and there would be a competitive grant process to receive United Way dollars.

“We wanted to make sure all of our agencies had ample time to prepare for potential funding changes,” Murphy said. “We met periodically with the agencies to make sure they were aware that while some agencies may gain funding, others could see a decrease or no longer fit with the impact areas selected by the volunteers. We encouraged them to diversify their funding streams and not to rely solely on United Way as changes could impact their current funding. We didn’t want it to be a shock.”

Funding changes were based on a community needs assessment. United Way collected existing data about needs and issues in the county and then conducted focus groups in communities throughout Berrien County. This information was shared with United Way volunteers who then identified the impact areas of Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs as most critical.

Volunteers further defined the impact areas, creating goals and strategies in each to help narrow the funding decisions. The impact areas were defined as follows:

Education: Providing educational opportunities that help youth to graduate on time and prepare children to enter school ready to learn.

Income: Increasing income through training and education and financial literacy.

Health: Providing programs that help ensure babies are born healthy and that children reach developmental milestones on time, and teaching people to make healthy decisions while promoting access to healthcare.

Basic Needs: Providing assistance during immediate crisis by removing barriers to self-sufficiency and ensuring people feel free from harm.

United Way volunteers carefully reviewed more than $4 million in grant requests to determine the best use of grant dollars. “Volunteers worked very hard to make some difficult decisions,” said United Way President Anna Murphy. “There were more than 25 community volunteers involved in this process. They were all working to direct hard-earned donor dollars to the combination of programs that will make the greatest impact on our goals in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs over the next three years.”

In addition, United Way formed a partnership with Andrews University in the grant evaluation process. As part of the grant application, agencies identified goals and outcomes. Andrews will continue to work with United Way and the funded agencies to ensure the identified goals and outcomes are measured. The measurements will help determine future funding.

Funding

Some funding decisions are finalized. In a few cases, United Way volunteers wanted to see agencies work together to create one program rather than funding multiple programs that attempt to accomplish the same goals. United Way staff is still working with those agencies to develop plans and programs that will best and most economically serve Berrien County residents.

However, all funding decisions are contingent upon a successful campaign.  If the goal is exceeded or not met, funding to agencies will go up or down accordingly, Murphy explained.

Agency directors understood the need for the funding change.

“I think it was good for United Way to go through this process,” said Kathy Rossow, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass. “As an agency director, it is always frightening to see a potential funder disappear from our books. But, we need to recognize that community needs change and if United Way is going to continue to be relevant, they need to know those needs and change accordingly. We were pleased to receive United Way funding and look forward to growing and expanding our mentoring program with those dollars.”

Kim Forsey, Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center agreed. “We appreciate the funding that United Way is providing for us,” she said. “These dollars will allow us to provide counseling services to families that couldn’t afford it. At the same time, I knew that funding could change. United Way has to work with new partners and make changes if they want to successfully do the work they are doing.”

Some agencies lost funding dollars. “It is tough to hear that programs you strongly believe in will not receive the funding you requested,” said Mike Ahern, Executive Director of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA. “You understand the need to make changes with limited resources. It forces agencies to look at what they are doing, make some tough decisions and press ahead.”

Results

Volunteers were divided into four separate committees around the impact areas of education, income, health and basic needs.

“These were not easy decisions,” said Joe Daguanno who served as a volunteer on the education committee. “In some cases we struggled to reach consensus. You want to be able to fund everything, but there is only so much money to give and we wanted to make wise decisions that would make the greatest impact in our community.”

The following agencies received funding. Finalized amounts will be determined when the campaign is complete.

* In this area, United Way continues to work with Heartland Alliance, Area Agency on Aging and SMRALN Niles Community Schools and MI Works! to determine the best access to  comprehensive Adult Literacy, job training and GED programs.

In addition to the programs listed above, United Way provides funding and operational expenses for four community initiatives operated through the United Way of Southwest Michigan. These programs are part of United Way of Southwest Michigan operations.

Girls on the Run: (Health) Girls on the Run completed its first year in Berrien County schools in the spring. Over 225 girls in schools throughout the county participated in the program that culminates in a 5K community run. Girls on the Run is a national experiential learning program for girls in grades 3 through 5. Although its perceived goal is completion of a noncompetitive 5K walk/run, in fact GOTR is as much about good health, friendship, positive body image and self-esteem as it is about running.

2-1-1/First Call for Help: (Basic Needs) First Call for Help is scheduled to convert to 2-1-1, an information and referral service. By calling these toll-free numbers, residents receive information and access to services and information they need.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: (Education) This program mails one age-appropriate book to children each month from birth to age five. The program promotes early literacy and ensures each child has access to books.

FamilyWize Prescription Drug Program: (Income) The FamilyWize Prescription Drug Program provides discounted prescription drugs for individuals with out prescription drug coverage. To date the program has saved Berrien & Cass County residents more than $231,114.  This brings Berrien County to the number one county in the state for claims at over 20,000. While this is a national program, the local United Way distributes the cards, promotes the program and tracks results.

About United Way United Way is a global network that advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. The United Way movement creates long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in these areas. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit www.uwsm.org or www.liveunited.org.

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