United Way to Spend $1M in Triangle

By Desiree Parker Wednesday, June 02, 2010

In the upcoming year, the United Way of Greater Williamsburg plans to spend just over $1 million for the various partners and programs the organization supports in the community.

The $1,007,686 includes funds for building, non-partner agencies, the Information and Referral program, and over $859,000 for the 31 programs and 20 partner agencies supported by the UWGW. In mid-May, the organization announced it had reached 99 percent of its annual campaign goal, and had raised more than $1.5 million from community contributions.

“United Way must be accountable to donors and assure that their funds are invested in effective programs that create a stronger community by changing lives,” according to a press release Tuesday outlining the distribution of funds.

Sixty trained community volunteers make funding allocation decisions, which helps the organization stay on track with its objectives.  They review each program’s outcomes and budgets to figure out the need for the program and its progress toward measurable outcomes.  This year, a new component was added to the process: volunteers ranked programs in terms of whether each was life saving, life sustaining and life enhancing.

Funding will be allocated as follows:
Programs targeting People in Crisis will receive $199,267 for Armed Forces emergency services, addressing community disasters, birth parent counseling, youth substance abuse intervention and treatment, and offering emergency shelter.

A total of $101,500 will be invested to improve the Health and Wellness of the community through a blood donor program, community health and safety program, and hospice and palliative care.

Investments totaling $226,504 will help build Self-Sufficiency by targeting adult illiteracy, transitional housing, financial and housing counseling, support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and low-income home repair.

About $76,500 will go towards promote Senior Independence through an older-adult guardianship program, medical and non-medical transportation, volunteer home services, adult day care, a meal delivery program and senior activities.

Children and Youth targeting mentoring and scouting programs will receive $121,500.

Programs enhancing Family Sustainability will receive $133,915 for adoption services, childcare subsidy and resource and referral, quality childcare and infants and toddlers with special needs.

Although not part of United Way’s annual review process, 116 non-partner agencies will receive more than $81,500 in donor directed (restricted gifts) to assist in their work. Included in this group are such organizations as the Olde Towne Medical Center, Dream Catchers, the Alzheimers Association of Williamsburg and the Heritage Humane Society.

Next year’s campaign will kick off on September 15 this year. More information will be available later in the summer.

The United Way of Greater Williamsburg serves Williamsburg, James City County, and the Bruton District of York County.