United Way Drives Change

United Way 101: Driving Community Change

We believe that it is important that we report to you how your money is invested. Volunteers are working now, toward a budget that will start July 2014.

The United Way Board of Directors' investment policy is established through a community process when input is solicited by Steering Team volunteers among leaders of: non-profits, business, government, religious organizations; and citizens. In years following this strategic planning process, a grant process takes place every year, to ensure that funding is invested consistent with the Board adopted, community change policy.

Every January, Community Investment Teams (C.I.T.s) are created, made up of 6-10 volunteers. During the spring, about 15 teams evaluate 6 to 8 grant applications each, looking for applicants' past successes contributing to the Board adopted community goals. In some years, new programs are solicited to become United Way partners to help the effort to achieve progress in the goals for EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH.

Hard-working volunteers are the reason United Way is effective in our mission to drive community change. We thank you. A special thank you goes to those volunteering in the investment process for 12 years or more years, which includes Greg Chambless, John Frazier, Kelvin Blasingame, Steve Beck, Spike Bywater, and Jeff Stephens.