The United Way of Central Missouri exceeded its community campaign goal, raising a projected total of more than $1.75 million for its 24 partner agencies.
"We're very thrilled, and very thankful to this very generous community," said Ann Bax, president of the agency.
The agency serves Cole, Miller, Moniteau, Osage and southern Callaway counties.
Bax said it's important to note that the United Way of Central Missouri is a separate entity to the Heart of Missouri United Way, which serves Boone, Howard and Cooper counties.
The Heart of Missouri agency raised a projected total of a little more $3 million of its $4 million campaign goal.
"We want to stress that each United Way is independent," Bax said. "Our local board makes the policies and the funding decisions, and it's certainly based on our community and our community needs."
She said the United Way of Central Missouri hasn't changed its 24 partner agencies in at least seven years.
"Our agencies that we partner with have been our partner agencies for so many years, and we're proud of those agencies," she said. "They're doing such incredible work in the community, and our community has responded positively to our campaign, to our request to help us and our agencies."
She said the Heart of Missouri United Way, as well as many United Ways across the country, switched its funding model to a community impact model. The model focuses on helping at-risk youth succeed in school and life. Bax's agency does not use this model.
"It was anticipated they would see some loss of revenues (when they adopted the model)," Bax said. "As the community becomes accustomed, they'll recoup that revenue."
Tim Rich, executive director of the Heart of Missouri United Way, said his agency bases its campaign goal on how much money the partner agencies say they need.
The United Way of Central Missouri bases its goal on how much the partner agencies say they need and how much the agency thinks volunteers can raise.
Bax said she's optimistic that because the United Way of Central Missouri's 2013 community campaign was successful, the agency will be able to issue some one-time grants to area agencies.
"We're hopeful," she said. "Those grants help meet critical, immediate needs."
The United Way of Central Missouri is holding its annual business meeting today at Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.