Who decides where the donated money goes?

Not me.

But one of my key responsibilities to ensure that the 49 community investment team volunteers who do make these important decisions, have the tools and information they need.

Donors work hard for the money they contribute.  We want to honor their wishes to have every gift make a significant difference in people’s lives. 

Trained volunteers use these key steps in the allocations process:

1.    Review the written funding applications from United Way partner programs and their agency audits.

2.    Submit initial questions to each program and obtain written responses.

3.    Meet with key program staff, volunteers and a representative of their agency’s board of directors.  Every three years this visit is done at the site of the program.

4.    Review each program based on a checklist of key criteria established for United Way of Central Minnesota funding.  (See checklist below.)

5.    Make funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors who make the final funding decisions.

Checklist of Key Criteria for United Way of Central Minnesota funding:

·      Aligns with community outcomes sought by United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM)

·      Level of impact of UWCM funding in program’s capacity to carry out its services/demonstrated need.

·      Urgency for these services in the community.  Need for service is increasing and basic human needs are addressed.

·      People served face significant life challenges.

·      Demonstrates sound fiscal accountability.

·      Works in collaboration with community partners.

·      Responsive to changing community needs, conditions and growing diversity.

·      Measures and demonstrates results achieved to as great a degree as possible – changes in people’s lives (skills, knowledge, conditions).

Every three years, we seek out new volunteers for this process. If this is something you would like to do starting in 2012, contact me at United Way: (320) 229-3507.  I would love to tell you more about it.