United Way announces community impact investments

Posted by on May 30, 2011

UWSEPA announces 3-year community impact investments

Saying its results to date demonstrate that its funding strategy is making a difference, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania has announced the recipients of the organization’s three-year Community Impact investments for 2012-2014.

This portion of United Way’s funding totals more than $10 million annually in general operating support grants to non-profit organizations serving communities in Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia counties. The investments are a key part of United Way’s Investing in Results funding strategy, launched in 2009, which moved the organization to a model that connects its investments to specific community impact goals and outcomes in the areas of education for children, income for families and health for seniors.

“At United Way, we never forget that we are investing other people’s money,” said Jill Michal, president and chief executive officer of UWSEPA.  “ We have a responsibility to our community and our donors to demonstrate the impact of their investments.  In this unprecedented new economy, we will all be challenged to do more with less. And the best way to do this is to ensure that every investment we make, particularly those in our community, delivers results.

“These three-year investments are part of a long-term strategy to drive real, community-level change, improving education, financial stability and health in our region,” Michal said.

Every human services agency in the region had an opportunity to apply for general operating funds from United Way.  Funding decisions were made based on alignment with United Way priorities and the organization’s ability to demonstrate concrete, measureable results against those priorities.  United Way also ensured a diverse representation of organizations, both ethnically and geographically.  The review process incorporated 100 external reviewers who were selected from academia and the public and private sectors based upon their experience and extensive knowledge in the field.  In addition, audits were submitted by all applicants and reviewed by a team of 14 volunteer CPAs.

“United Way of Southeastern PA has changed the conversation around measuring outcomes in the social services arena,” said Marlene L. Olshan, chief executive officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Now more than ever, the community wants to know what impact their philanthropy dollars are having – we fully understand that, and are happy to have stepped up to the challenge.  We are extremely proud of the outcomes our program produces and appreciate the United Way’s recognition of our work.”

“We were strategically looking to make changes related to tracking program outcomes and results,” added Patricia A. Coulter, president and chief executive officer, Urban League of Philadelphia. “And in direct response to United Way’s funding requirements, we invested sooner in technology and in our staff; whether it’s job training, housing counseling or entrepreneurial assistance, we can now show all of our donors exactly what their dollars are doing.”

Select two-year results from United Way’s current three-year strategy (2009-2011) include:
– More than 9,300 children will start kindergarten ready to learn because of the increased quality of 134 early care and education centers, as measured by Pennsylvania’s Keystone Stars program;
– Nearly 5,000 young people improved academically as a result of their participation in mentoring relationships or quality after-school programs;
– Nearly 3,500 individuals advanced their education and training, helping them to qualify for higher-skilled, better-paid jobs;
– More than 23,000 older adults have access to in-home health and other support services that will allow them to age in place in their homes and communities.

“The application process was incredibly competitive and organizations went through a rigorous evaluation process,” notes Rosemary Turner, president of UPS’ Chesapeake District and chair of the Board of Directors of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

“The agencies that will receive funding for the 2012-2014 cycle were able to demonstrate outstanding results, despite operating within a stressed economy,” Turner said.  “While we could not afford to fund every strong application, the number of high-quality applications proves the non-profit sector is flexible and agile enough to adapt to the changes that the new economy is demanding, while continuing to respond to the needs of our community.”

For more information on the results UWSEPA and its partners are achieving in the areas of education, income and health, visit here.

http://www.liveunitedsepa.org/ReporttotheCommunity

For a complete list of recipient agencies or for more information on UWSEPA’s funding process, visit here.

http://www.liveunitedsepa.org/InvestingInResults/Documents/FY12_Funding_List_By_Strategy_Gen_Op_Select_Targeted_Investment.pdf