United Way reaches out to get partner agencies

United Way of the CSRA is doing something it hasn't done in more than a decade, and the result could help even more area residents.

"For the first time in 15 years, we are opening up our funding process to programs in the community that have not had the opportunity recently to apply for funding from United Way's annual campaign," said Brooke Steele, community impact director.

The United Way funds about 40 programs at 17 agencies in the area.

"The board really felt that to increase United Way's impact on the community and really respond to donors' wishes, we needed to look beyond what United Way had historically done and really look at who we can partner with to have the greatest impact in the community, whether it's a current partner or a new partner," Steele said.

United Way is looking for health and human service organizations that address at least one of four areas: helping youth succeed; promoting health and wellness; providing basic needs; and strengthening families and individuals.

To be considered, organizations must be located in and serve residents of Richmond, Columbia, Burke, Lincoln, Wilkes, Taliaferro, Glascock, Warren, Jefferson, Emanuel, Jenkins or McDuffie counties.

Organizations also must have had a 501c3 nonprofit status for at least three years; an independent audit for at least three years; and have completed an IRS Form 990 for at least three years, Steele said.

"The United Way has pretty high standards for funding, and we think that's very important for accountability to our donors," she said.

Organizations also should be able to show "measurable success."

"They must be able to demonstrate the outcome of their program," she said. "We are not looking to simply fund numbers served. We want to see how the organization is changing people's lives for the better."

In late July and early August, the nonprofit will have presentations for those interested in becoming partners. Attendance at one is required to participate in the pre-application process, which will begin in the fall.

Organizations selected from that process will then be invited to complete a full application followed by site visits, Steele said.

A committee of volunteers will make the funding decisions and select partners in the spring.

"The volunteers will be looking for programs that are unique, that are unduplicated and that can demonstrate their results," she said.

The organization's current partners will be exempt from the pre-application process but will also have to complete the application process, she said.

Selected programs and agencies will receive funding for two years.

"Organizations that perhaps don't receive funding through this process will have an opportunity in a few years to apply again," she said.