United Way to Realign Criterion for Agency Funding, Opens Process to New Partners

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cara I. Belton, 313-226-9484 or 313-520-8454
Laura L. Rodwan, 313-226-9484 or 313-477-2750

New Funding Process Allows Agencies to Better Impact Communities, Services

DETROIT – For the first time in ten years, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan will invite new agencies and organizations to participate in an open bid for funding. The newly established funding process for 2008-2011 agency applications will allow unaffiliated organizations the opportunity to become United Way partners. This is part of United Ways' overall effort to direct community resources in areas of the greatest need.

The new multi-year funding process will focus on programs, services, strategies and collaborations that will address short and long-term goals in three specific areas - Educational Preparedness, Financial Stability and Basic Needs, as outlined in the organization's Agenda for Change. United Way will now prioritize funding based on programs that provide:

EDUCATIONAL PREPAREDNESS:

• Propose strategies to support children entering school ready to learn, student reading at grade level, or youth staying in school
• Directly target infants, children and youth
• Help families and individuals develop and focus on longer-term goals

FINANCIAL STABILITY:

• Improve financial resources, increase financial literacy or increase and sustain home ownership
• Have a clear strategy to build individual and family assets
• Help families and individuals develop and focus on long-term goals

BASIC NEEDS:

• Help move families out of a crisis/vulnerable state to higher level of self-sufficiency
• Make a demonstrated effort to link to other organizations
• Propose a strategy that meets a data-supported gap in service
• Present clear and realistic approaches aimed to improve service delivery, improve navigation or access to services

While the United Way will continue to significantly invest in a wide array of agency programs and services, funding will primarily be focused on achieving Agenda outcomes. The funding system further supports the Agenda for Change, which serves as the United Way's blueprint for creating sustained community change that measurably improves people’s lives.

"The decision to realign our funding process was driven by our region's growing socioeconomic and human service needs," said Michael J. Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "We know that today's issues are far too complex for any individual, group, or institution to tackle alone. We must work together and bring new groups into the fold. It is only through community building and regional collaboration that we will affect lasting change."

In order to be eligible to receive funding, an organization must be classified as a 501 c3, meet all UWSEM Standards of Eligibility, and serve residents of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb County or City of Detroit. Organizations must also demonstrate the capacity to provide services, programs, or collaborative response to one of the three impact areas.

The process is open to current partner agencies as well. United Way for Southeastern Michigan has developed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to include new programs and collaboratives that align with the priority areas in the Agenda for Change process. Interested parties whose programs align with one or more of the priority areas are invited to complete an LOI application.

"The Letter of Intent process will allow us to gain a better understanding of the types of programs that seek funding," said Dona Ponepinto, Vice President of Community Investments and Partnerships. "These letters will also help us to understand the conditions existing in various communities, how those conditions will be addressed, and the proposed outcomes."

For more information about the LOI/Agenda for Change process (including guidelines, technical assistance sessions, and application deadlines), visit www.uwsem.org/partnertools.

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