Allocations
UNITED WAY ALLOCATIONS PROCESS
United Way of Cascade County works to build a better community. In order to do this, United Way funds programs and services which produce results, or outcomes, that make our community stronger. United Way uses a comprehensive, community-wide needs assessment as well as input from various human service organizations to identify priority human service impact areas.
Our strategy of funding outcome-based services and programs has been in place for several years and continues to evolve. The funded services realize the benefits of measuring the results of what they do rather than just the number of participants they have in a program. United Way is able to focus on specific community needs and fund programs which positively impact those needs. United Way of Cascade County is continually evaluating the way in which the allocations process works and has made a commitment to transition into a Community Impact United Way. Community impact means not only improving the lives of peopled served by United Way-funded programs; it also is about improving the lives of people affected by pressing community issues whether they receive services from these programs or not. Further, it means changing community conditions so that fewer people are affected by those issues.
What is different about "Outcome-Based" funding?
Several years past, United Way funded "member" agencies. Each year the "member" agencies were assured of receiving a portion of the United Way campaign monies. United Way redefined its role as a community-building organization rather than a "pass-through" fund raising organization. Under the old funding system, member agencies did not have to prove that they were achieving specific results in the community for the dollars provided by United Way--with outcome-based funding, no program or service can expect to be funded if they do not prove so. Funding organizations that address priority human service needs in a measurable and effective manner guarantees that United Way is making the best investment of community dollars.
Outcomes are the changes that are brought about by a program; the results one sees or experiences because a program exists. Many organizations measure the success of their program by the number of individuals who participate; however, this is merely a statistic. United Way now asks its service partners to measure the difference made in the people who participate. Examples of outcomes may be things such as improved literacy, decreased truancy rates, or increased employment rates. Outcomes may relate to increased knowledge or skills, improved attitudes or values, acceptable behavior, or improved condition or status.
How does an organization apply?
United Way of Cascade County requests proposals from organizations qualified under federal law as tax exempt and addressing one or more of the following human service needs in the following Community Impact areas:
Education: helping children and youth achieve their potential. Education is essential to getting and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits.
Income: promoting financial stability and independence. An income adequate to pay for today's necessities and save for the future provides families some sense of financial stability.
Health: improving people's health. Healthy lifestyles and access to quality health care keeps children on track in school and adults productive at work.
How can individuals help?
Individuals in the community can become involved by volunteering on the Allocations Committee. After an initial training session, the committee then divides into subcommittees to review proposals & presentations from specific impact areas and reconvenes to determine recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors for funding. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the United Way office at 727-3400 or send us an email.
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