Five community investment review teams, consisting of twenty-five community volunteers, representing a cross section of Jasper County residents, have completed the United Way Community Investment/Allocations Process for the 2011-2012 funding cycle. Megan Crawford, UWJC Executive Director coordinated the process this year.
In December of 2010, 18 Jasper County health and human service agencies applied for 2011-2012 funding to provide direct human services that assist people in one of the United Way of Jasper County’s three new community impact areas of Health, Income, and Education; the building blocks for a good quality life. Twenty-four program grant applications were considered for funding.
Program proposals were divided into community impact areas and presented to corresponding community investment review teams. The teams, comprised of both United Way Board members and community members, reviewed program proposals, conducted interviews with the program directors, and attended agency site visits to get a first hand look at the day to day operations of the non-profit agencies.
Community investment review teams took their stewardship responsibilities very seriously. They looked closely at the quality of services delivered, not simply at the number of people served, always asking the hard questions, “Are we giving people a hand up or a hand out?” “Are agencies moving people toward self sufficiency or deeper into dependency?” “Are the programs serving all Jasper County residents, not only Newton residents?” Team members also closely scrutinized each agency’s financial history. Again they asked the tough questions; “Are the agencies applying for funding operating in a cost efficient manner?” “Are they seeking foundation grants or other sources of funding to compliment United Way allocations?” “Have they themselves grown more self-sufficient or has their dependency on United Way funding grown?”
Recommendations on funding levels were forwarded to the United Way Board of Directors from each team. On March 3, 2011 the Board met in a work session to further review and discuss each program. On March 15, 2011 the United Way of Jasper County Board of Directors authorized the allocation of $231,867 for 23 health and human service programs that serve residents in Baxter, Colfax, Galesburg, Ira, Kellogg, Killduff, Lambs Grove, Lynnville, Mingo, Monroe, Newburg, Newton, Prairie City, Reasnor, Sully, and Valeria.
ALLOCATED % of TOTAL
Health Community Impact Area $62,712 27%
- Programs Include: Bereavement Services, Residential Treatment for Women with Addictions and their Children, Support Services for Victims of Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault, and Transportation for the Disabled, Low-income, and Seniors to medical appointments
Income Community Impact Area $68,916 30%
- Programs include: Basic Needs Assistance, Emergency Services, Programming & Membership scholarships for residents living at or below the 200% poverty level, Tax Assistance for Seniors & Low-to-middle income Jasper County residents, and Transportation for Seniors to adult day care services
Education Community Impact Area $100,239 43%
- Programs include: Adaptive Equipment Loan, Before & After School Care, Community Based Mentoring, Elementary Literacy, Home & Community Based Services for the Disabled, Housing & Utility Assistance, Parent Education, Preschool & Childcare Scholarships, Preschool Wrap Around Care, School Based Mentoring, Sexual Abuse Prevention Education, and Youth Development/Leadership Programs
TOTAL $ 231,867 100%