John's Story Help for a Grandpa who rescued his two grandsons ... MORE	FY 2009 Approved Funding   Self-Sufficiency and Basic Needs (PDF)   Children and Families (PDF)   Community Health (PDF)   Behavioral Health (PDF)   Aging and Special Needs (PDF)   Capacity Building (PDF) View the consumer groups, the strategies and the expected outcomes (PDF) View the Plain Dealer article How your dollars are invested (Flash movie) A message from our Board Chair (PDF) New Investment Strategies FAQs United Way Home Page New Investment Strategies in 2008 Frequently Asked Questions Answers to questions you may be asked about United Way of Greater Cleveland's new investment strategies. In 2008, United Way of Greater Cleveland's board of directors approved the implementation of a heavily researched and well-reasoned new community investment strategy that was more than six years in the making. This new investment strategy focuses on some of our community's most pressing health and human service issues, such as helping children improve their academic performance, elevating the working poor out of poverty through job skills training and offering individuals and families a path out of homelessness, hunger and financial distress. In all, 105 current partner agencies and 21 newly funded agencies will implement more than 200 health and human service programs supported by United Way. A three-year transition plan for partner agencies that received reduced or no funding allows for those agencies to receive 50 percent of the difference from their United Way fund allocations between fiscal years 2008 and 2009 this year, 30 percent of the difference in fiscal year 2010, and 15 percent of the difference in fiscal year 2011. The first year transition plan funding, $2.9 million, will come from United Way's reserve account, preserving the dollars raised in last year's campaign to support the new strategic direction. Why was there a need to change United Way's way of thinking and its funding allocations to agencies? What are the similarities and differences between United Way's new strategic direction versus its prior direction? Why should this new funding strategy make me want to donate to the United Way Campaign? Who paid for the research conducted for this new investment strategy? What is United Way of Greater Cleveland's reserve account? What was paid for out of this reserve account in connection with United Way's new funding strategy? Are the partner agencies that didn't receive funding from the new investment strategy still considered United Way partner agencies? What percentage of designations do they receive? Explain the three-year funding cycle. Who evaluates the performance measures for the funded agencies? What are the various disbursements from all the dollars raised through the United Way of Greater Cleveland Campaign? What's the difference between funded partner agencies, non-funded partner agencies, and funded non-partner agencies? Can all agencies apply or re-apply for United Way funding? How often? What are the main requirements an agency has to meet to qualify for funding? What are the advantages of becoming a United Way partner agency? Why would an agency not want to be a partner agency? Why was there a need to change United Way's way of thinking and its funding allocations to agencies? To address changing economic conditions and needs in Greater Cleveland. To be more accountable to donors about how their donation dollars are invested. To have measurable outcomes for programs and services funded by United Way. What are the similarities and differences between United Way's new strategic direction versus its prior direction? Similarities We're still providing a safety net of health and human services support to people in our community. We will continue to fund all of our partner agencies for the next three years, though some will receive a declining percentage of the dollars they were previously awarded. Those agencies will have the opportunity to re-apply for new funding at the end of that period. Differences United Way is now funding investment strategies designed to produce specific, positive changes in the lives of health and human services consumers. We've shifted a greater proportion of available funding to self-sufficiency and basic needs. We have broadened the safety net to include 21 health and human service agencies that will receive funding from United Way for the first time. Why should this new funding strategy make me want to donate to the United Way Campaign? It makes sense to entrust your charitable contributions to knowledgeable advisers in the same manner that you entrust your personal financial investments. The new strategies are designed to move the needle on some of our community's most difficult issues, such as helping improve academic performance, elevating our working poor out of poverty through job skills training and offering a path out of homelessness, hunger and financial distress for individuals and families. By strategically directing our funds, United Way will bring about a more focused, positive impact for people in need in our community. Using measurable outcomes, United Way and the agencies it funds will be more accountable. United Way's new investment strategies are designed to meet the challenges our community is experiencing now, rather than continuing to support programs that were appropriate for our community in the past. Who paid for the research conducted for this new investment strategy? The research was funded by United Way of Greater Cleveland, the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners, St. Luke's Foundation of Cleveland, Mount Sinai Foundation and the Sisters of Charity Foundation. What is United Way of Greater Cleveland's reserve account? What was paid for out of this reserve account in connection with United Way's new funding strategy? The emergency (reserve) funds are funds set up by the United Way Board to assure that, should difficult or emergency circumstances arise, the organization would have the ability to respond. It is made up of operating budget surpluses, investment asset growth, excess collections over the provision for uncollectible pledges, etc., and are cumulative over time. The three-year transition plan for agencies receiving less or no funding in the next three years, allows for those agencies to receive 50 percent of the difference between fiscal years 2008 and 2009 of their United Way allocations this year, 30 percent of the difference in fiscal year 2010, and 15 percent of the difference in fiscal year 2011. The $2.9 million needed to fund the first year of the transition plan will come from United Way's reserve account, preserving the dollars raised in last year's campaign to support the new investment strategies. Are the partner agencies that didn't receive funding from the new investment strategy still considered United Way partner agencies? What percentage of designations do they receive? Yes, they're still partner agencies and as such receive 100 percent of donor-designated funds. Explain the three-year funding cycle. Who evaluates the performance measures for the funded agencies? During the three-year funding cycle implementing the new strategies, Investment Committee volunteers representing the investment areas of Self-Sufficiency and Basic Needs, Children and Families, Behavioral Health, Community Health, Aging and Special Needs and Capacity Building will review the performance of the more than 200 funded programs at 126 agencies. What are the various disbursements from all the dollars raised through the United Way of Greater Cleveland Campaign? In the 2007 United Way of Greater Cleveland Campaign, of the $43 million raised, $35.3 million goes directly to support non-profit health and human service providers. $20.6 million is allocated by volunteers to fund more than 200 programs at 126 health and human service agencies; $6.2 million was designated by donors to United Way partner agencies; $3.4 million was designated to other United Ways; $3.7 million was designated to non-United Way agencies; $1.4 million to various grants, community impact funds and 211/First Call For Help; and $6 million to United Way operations and dues to United Way of America and Ohio United Way. (An allowance of $1.7 million is deducted from the campaign total to anticipate uncollectible pledges.) What's the difference between funded partner agencies, non-funded partner agencies, and funded non-partner agencies? Funded partner agencies are those organizations selected by the Community Investment volunteers to receive funds over the next three fiscal years to implement one or more of our new investment strategies. Partner agencies have a historical relationship with United Way and have continuously met its organizational assessment standards. Non-funded partner agencies is a term that refers to organizations that have historically been funded by United Way but were not selected to receive program funding during this three-year cycle. They will receive the three-year transition funds and the other benefits of partner agency status, such as participating in United Way's health plan and payroll services, as well as receiving 100 percent of donor-designated funds. Funded non-partner agencies are those organizations that will receive program funding for the first time over the next three years. They may apply for partnership in three years if they desire. Designations to newly funded agencies are limited to 50 percent of donations of $100 or more. Can all agencies apply or re-apply for United Way funding? How often? What are the main requirements an agency has to meet to qualify for funding? Current United Way partner agencies and funded organizations may apply for funding in future cycles if their performance and community need warrants. United Way of Greater Cleveland initiates a new funding cycle every three years; the next one will be in 2011. At that point United Way may invite other organizations to apply for funding as well. At minimum, applicants must be nonprofit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies based in Cuyahoga County. What are the advantages of becoming a United Way partner agency? United Way has far-reaching fundraising expertise. There is heightened, positive public awareness of organizations that are partner agencies. Administrative services are available to partner agencies, such as group health insurance, payroll and accounting, at a much lower cost than if they had to provide those operations for themselves in-house. Donor designation - United Way donors can designate 100 percent of their donations to partner agencies. Partner agencies' standing with other funders is enhanced by United Way's organizational assessment process, which examines the agencies' operations and programs to ensure their integrity. Why would an agency not want to be a partner agency? All partner agencies must observe a campaign "blackout" period when their own fundraising activities must be minimized during the United Way annual campaign. For some organizations with strong fundraising capabilities, they may have to decide whether they can raise more money during that period on their own than they would receive from United Way.
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