United Way of the Midlands' Board of Directors approved $10,355,472 in funding that will support health and human service agencies within the metro area.  See how your dollars will help local programs, and our neighbors, over the next year!

UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR 136 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS IN THE OMAHA-COUNCIL BLUFFS-BELLEVUE METRO AREA

The United Way of the Midlands (UWM) Board of Directors has approved $ 10,355,472 in funding requests that will support closely-monitored health and human service programs in the coming year. Community Care Fund programs include the metro-wide network of services provided by partner agencies, along with strategic initiatives that address emerging local needs. Both are key to United Way’s promise to donors: to make a measurable and lasting impact on people’s lives, and on local conditions in the metropolitan Omaha area. The funds come from unrestricted contributions to last fall’s 2010 United Way campaign


MAJORITY OF ANNUALLY-FUNDED PROGRAMS TO RECEIVE STABLE FUNDING

The 2010 fundraising campaign last fall raised $21,165,000. When compared to United Way donors in other communities, the Omaha metro area continues to prove its generous nature; UWM ranks high in sustaining local donor support from year-to-year. While UWM raised more money than the year before, there are fewer unrestricted dollars to allocate to the annually-funded programs in United Way’s Community Care Fund network.

77% of the Community Care Fund programs reviewed for funding by United Way volunteers will receive the same amount allocated to them for 2010-11, a stabilizing force for nonprofit organizations in still-difficult economic times.  These 107 great programs met all expectations in areas of program performance, measurable change in people’s lives and financial reporting.

Based on the volunteer review that ensures programs are making the most impact on people’s lives, 21% of the programs (29) will see a minor reduction in United Way funding in the coming year and four programs will no longer be funded.

Community Care Fund programs operate in 33 UWM partner agencies in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties.  United Way is focused on the building blocks for a good life: Education, Income and Health.  Here’s how the 2011-12 allocations are distributed in these focus areas:


EDUCATION     $3,371,265

INCOME  (Financial Stability) $3,410,996

HEALTH    $3,591,424

         (total also includes $18,213 in Community Initiative funding)

Click here to view the complete list of 2011-12 funded programs.


DECISIONS ARE MADE CAREFULLY BY A TEAM OF UNITED WAY VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF

Over the past six months, 19 community volunteers worked with United Way staff on the exclusive program review process.  All partner agencies are asked annually to demonstrate how their programs make measurable change in people’s lives, an indicator known as an “outcome.” By considering these and other criteria, UWM’s allocation volunteers are able to decide where the donors’ dollars are needed most and will do the most good for our community as a whole.

“The Community Care Fund programs serve individuals and families, but the ultimate goal is advancing the quality of life for everyone here in the Omaha metro area,” said Celann LaGreca, chair of the volunteer Planning, Allocation and Community Development Cabinet which recommends funding to the United Way of the Midlands Board of Directors.  “While the smaller pool of unrestricted dollars posed a challenge, the annual review works just as it has in the past by helping us focus on programs that consistently provide measurable evidence that they change people’s lives for the better. Given the current economic conditions, this support from United Way’s many generous donors is especially important to partner agencies and their programs.” LaGreca is vice president of Community Investment & Special Counsel to the CEO for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

The allocation process also helps United Way’s volunteers and staff identify possible duplication of services, gaps in local service and opportunities for collaboration among nonprofits and other organizations.  Current collaborations include the 2-1-1 call center, the Financial Stability Partnership™, International Center of the Heartland, the ”Ready in 5” school preparation program and “Project Bridge.” Thanks to United Way donors, these impact initiatives enable our community to respond when local needs emerge.

United Way of the Midlands, its donors and volunteers advance the common good of the Omaha metropolitan area by providing our neighbors life-changing opportunities in education, financial stability and health. UWM celebrates 88 years of service in 2011.

People in the metropolitan area received services through United Way Community Care Fund programs 584,668 times in 2010.