The 27 partner agencies of the United Way of Central Missouri (UWCM) have provided a young mother and her children with shelter at the Salvation Army, connected a now-teenager with a positive role model through Big Brothers Big Sisters, helped a child cope with complicated health issues through the Special Learning Center and served more than 85,000 other people in 2013 alone.
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UCA sidewalk expenses
While the work of the United Way and its partner agencies often is performed using as much love as money, most services must start with funding. The UWCM begins each year with a stringent fund allocation process that allows the organization to use its resources to best address the community's varying needs.
Every existing partner agency goes through the fund application process each year, providing financial documents and an independent audit, outlining how the organization spent its funding during the previous year, along with an outline of how it would use funds over the next two years. Those documents are submitted to one of five panels of community volunteers with varying expertise, which make funding recommendations to the UWCM's board of directors.
"Some of those volunteers have been doing this for 20-plus years, and we try to get new people every year," said UWCM President Ann Bax. "It's very critical to have veterans, as well as a new set of eyes to take a fresh look."
By the end of the several months' process, the board of directors makes the "tough decisions" regarding funding allocation, just in time to set a fundraising goal for the UWCM's annual campaign.
"There's a lot of layers. We feel like it makes us very transparent and accountable to our donors," Bax said.
The 2014 campaign surpassed its $1.75 million goal, ringing up at a projected $1.793 million in donations and pledges. When partners like the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service, Jefferson City Day Care Center, Salvation Army, Pathways Community Health and the Special Learning Center qualify for more than $100,000 in annual funding, it's easy to see where the bulk of those donations end up.
"This community is tremendously generous and caring, and that comes through year after year with our campaign, and I know that other charitable organizations would say the same," Bax said. "Our community cares about one another, and they believe in the work of the people on the front lines. That's why our campaign has been successful."
Successful campaigns also allow the United Way to support agencies that aren't its official partners through one-time grants, which partner and non-partner organizations can apply for to address "critical, current needs." The one-time grants are a way to address pressing needs without adding an additional partner agency - something the local United Way hasn't done since adding Dreams to Reality seven years ago, Bax said.
"You have to make sure your campaign is growing pretty substantially in order to commit to a new agency because you have to be able to fund your existing agencies and then another one," she explained. "The one-time grants are more manageable because you don't have a crystal ball to see what your campaign is going to do from year to year."
The UWCM funded $100,000 in one-time grants during 2014, including $18,000 to buy a van for non-partner agency HALO, which serves at-risk youth, as well as funding for a pilot program through Pathways Community Health working with middle students with behavioral issues and a pilot program through a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club and Jefferson City Police Department to address issues with gangs in the community.
Regardless of when community members' gifts reach United Way agencies or when people's "Christmas wishes" are granted, the Christmas season is one of the times they mean the most.
"I think everyone does a little soul-searching during the holiday season and kind of gets back to the true meaning of what life is all about," Bax said. "It's about helping others - helping people and helping them live their best lives."
Access here for agency reports for United Way financial documents.
If you wish to donate
In order to be tax deductible, checks must be made payable to the United Way of Central Missouri and the United Way must retain the right to specifically determine who the donation will benefit.
The United Way will establish a Christmas Wish fund, and donors can give a gift "in the name of" someone specific, or a United Way partner agency. A volunteer committee will oversee the distribution of these funds.
If you want to help fill a Christmas Wish, mail checks to United Way of Central Missouri, 205 Alameda Drive, Jefferson City Missouri 65109. "News Tribune Christmas Wish Fund" should be noted on the memo line of the check.
Questions may be directed to Ann Bax, President of United Way of Central Missouri, 573-636-4100, or [email protected].