Overall, donors invested $20.2 million in Community Care Fund contributions and partner agency designations in the 2010-11 campaign. To maintain funding, the board approved using $2.4 million from United Way’s stabilization fund, which prevented a 14 percent decrease to agencies (on average) if this emergency fund was not available. When combined with a higher than-expected level of fulfilled pledges, plus increased cost savings in United Way’s operations budget, the coming year’s overall community investment was maintained at $16.5 million.
“We’re extremely grateful for everyone’s response to our fundraising campaign,” says Jane McIntyre, executive director of United Way of Central Carolinas. “In the face of increasing demand due to high unemployment, coupled with dramatically reduced governmental funding, it is critical that United Way continue to be a stable source of funding for our partner agencies.”
Among the highlights of this year’s campaign and distribution process:
• 157 volunteers participated in the Citizen Review Process.
• 91 agencies were reviewed for United Way funding across a five-county region.
• $16,497,223 total distribution to local health and human service agencies.
• Most agencies will receive the same funding as last year.
• 15 agencies will receive increased funding, in response to a dramatic increase in need overthe prior year.
Several agencies that demonstrated a dramatic rise in need over the prior year, as well as proven results in meeting that need, received increases in funding. Overall, 15 agencies received a combined $145,508 in funding increases over last year. The Salvation Army ($57,877), Men’s Shelter of Charlotte ($34,424), and A Child’s Place ($17,763) received the largest increases.
Still, that was only 25 percent of the increased funding requested, and agencies are bracing for more governmental cuts.
“Today is a day to celebrate the donors who came through for this community,” says Susan Faulkner, board chairperson of United Way of Central Carolinas. “That said, we’re going right from this board meeting into an all-day planning session to map out next year and beyond, because we’re committed to producing even greater results in the future.”
United Way’s just-completed Community Needs Assessment is being used to help create the roadmap for that future. A summary of the needs assessment findings is available online at www.uwcentralcarolinas.org.
