Community Impact Process
Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, the concept of many people giving philanthropic gifts to one organization that would distribute those funds to the most needy was born and eventually became known as United Way. During this time, the process worked well and satisfied both the donors and the recipients of those funds.
In the 1970s and 80s, more and more people began asking for a choice in where their charitable dollars were being directed. In order to give donors the choices and control they wanted, United Way moved to funding specific agencies and offered a donor choice program.
In the 1990s and into this new decade, accountability became the norm. As businesses and their employees were being held more accountable by their shareholders, charities also began being held to higher standards.
People who gave to United Way wanted to know that their gifts were being used for services and programs, not for overhead and other expenses. They wanted to be sure their gift was making a difference. To that end, United Way began to review agency programs and directed their funding towards specific program within agencies.
Today, our donors are looking for results: how did a service or program help a person's life? In what ways are they better off for having received that service? Donors want to know what IMPACT their support has had.
United Way of Lake County recognizes that donors expect results from their contributions. In order to show that donations really make a difference, United Way has shifted its focus from traditional fund-raising to community impact.
To that end, United Way has formed four solution panels to focus on the highest priority community needs: affordable housing and emergency assistance, children and families, senior citizens, and health and wellness.
Community leaders from business, labor, education, government and health and human services have been recruited to serve on these panels. Meeting on a monthly basis, the solution panels are charged with prioritizing funding needs and setting objectives and funding initiatives to proactively meet the community's needs.
Additionally, an Evaluation and Investment (E&I) Committee was created to review agency budgets, outcomes, and results in order to determine annual funding levels. With guidance from the solution panels in ranking priorities, the E&I Committee carefully assesses how effectively and efficiently agencies are using United Way funding. Programs that address high priority needs and demonstrate measurable outcomes are given preference in funding, while programs not designed to meet high priority needs or ones that are inefficient may not be funded at all.
The United Way Board of Directors has final approval over all funding decisions and votes to approve allocations after receiving recommendations from the E&I Committee. More than 150 community volunteers, sitting on the solution panels, E&I Committee panels, and the board, contribute 500 man-hours to determine how programs and initiatives will be funded.
United Way of Lake County recognizes that donors expect results from their contributions. In order to show that donations really make a difference, United Way has shifted its focus from traditional fund-raising to community impact.
Community Impact Flowchart (PDF)
