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by Don Mulvihill

2007 Community Investment Process

7/25/07

United Way of Mifflin-Juniata Volunteers Complete 2007 Community Investment Process

Panels of community volunteers, representing a cross section of Mifflin and Juniata County residents, have completed the 2007 United Way Community Investment Process.  $408,827 was awarded to 20 programs at 18 local charities and 4 community collaborations.

“In the past, funding and by extension United Way campaign goals were agency driven.  The assumption was by being on the frontlines, agency directors knew the extent of human service needs in the county and the amount of money they required to meet those needs,”said Marie Mulvihill, United Way Executive Director.  “Although there is no doubt that agency directors are aware of their own client’s needs, United Way has to look at the bigger picture.”

The most significant change made was to predetermine the total amount of dollars to be allocated to agencies in 2007.  This approach is community driven as it is based on the average amount of money raised over the last four years, resulting in a more realistic and attainable campaign goal.  It also provided Community Investment Volunteers with clearer guidelines for funding.

Additional procedures have been put in place as well.  Agencies that provided similar services or served like constituencies were grouped together for review to avoid funding of duplicated services thus freeing up dollars to be distributed to other critical needs.  Volunteers looked closely at the quality of services delivered, not simply at the number of people served, always asking the hard questions, “Are we giving people a hand up or a hand out?” “Are agencies moving people toward self sufficiency or deeper into dependency?”  Community Investment Volunteers also closely scrutinized each agency’s financial history and development plans.  Again they asked the tough questions; “Are the agencies applying for funding operating in a cost efficient manner?” “Are they seeking foundation grants or other sources of funding to compliment United Way funding?”

"Community Investment Volunteers take their stewardship responsibilities very seriously,” said Chris Warfel, Community Investment Chair.  Eighteen volunteers committed over 200 hours to reviewing agency applications and doing face to face interviews with agency personnel.  “All indications are that 2007-2008 is going to be a difficult year for many low-income and vulnerable families in our community,” he said, “and we felt a real responsibility to commit as much help to them as possible.”

The United Way Board of Directors then accepted the Community Investment Committee’s recommendations and awarded the following amounts to each Impact Area:

Successful Children and Youth- Strengthening youth and families by providing opportunities and resources that allow children to succeed and families to thrive. $159,360.00

Basic Needs and Self-Sufficiency – Aiding people with resources to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and utilities that allow them to move towards self-sufficiency. $147,067.00

Community Life and Health – Providing children, adults, families and seniors with education, awareness, and recreation opportunities to improve daily life. $91,400.00

Education – Supporting youth and adults by providing resources that promote life-long learning.

“Donors respond to our message,” said Chris Warfel, volunteer Community Investment Chair, “that the Community Investment Process is the best way to give for several reasons:

• One donation addresses a wide range of critical health and human service needs
• Funding is invested only in service programs that are proven to be effective and efficient
• The funding decisions are made by knowledgeable community volunteers and backed by current, quality data.”