United Way of Portage County Board has set a campaign goal of $1.547 million for its 2000 fund drive. Last year, United Way surpassed its goal of $1.425 million.
The board set the goal last week after approving $1,186,820 to meet high-priority needs in the community in 2001. It is an 8 percent increase in funding.
Of the total approved to meet high-priority needs, $1,129,632 was allocated for human service programs offered by 20 agencies. The amount for special allocations more than doubled, and a new fund is being created for youth intervention programming.
The program funding levels were recommended by a group of 60 community volunteers who analyze requests in spring. After visiting agencies, examining budgets and weighing priorities, these volunteers recommended allocations for 31 programs.
"We had a nice cross-section of the community involved representing business, human services, education and many people interested in the allocations process," said Chuck Quartana, Allocations Cabinet co-chair. "These people took their job seriously. They did a marvelous job of dissecting the information, and they asked some tough questions. They allocated funding to programs that have a high impact on the highest-priority needs in our community."
Priority is given to basic survival needs of low-income families and those who are homebound or have disabilities; and growth and developmental needs of all ages and abilities.
Funding decisions made during the allocations process help determine the annual campaign goal. The board endorsed seeking a 6.4 percent increase in donations during the fall United Way of Portage County fund drive.
"I've followed the allocations process and how carefully each request was examined," said Campaign Chair Chuck Nason, president of Worzalla Publishing Co. "It's not difficult to ask for the money to fund these programs knowing they meet the community's greatest needs."
"We have a great foundation to build on," he said.
In addition to agency allocations, a special Youth Fund of $10,000 was created to develop an alcohol and drug abuse intervention program for young people in the county. United Way will work with Ministry Behavioral Health to implement the program.
The Special Allocations Fund will increase from $20,000 to $47,188. Special allocations are additional funds awarded to local organizations to meet unanticipated or emerging human service needs in the community.
The larger fund will accommodate United Way agencies told during the regular allocations process that they may request special allocations after meeting certain recommendations. Some agencies may need additional funding because of uncertainty in state reimbursement and demand for services.
Agency allocations for 2001 rose by 4.76 percent overall. Twenty-four of 31 United Way programs received the full allocations requested by their agencies. Among the largest increases:
Community Industries Corp. Supported Employment Program will receive a 20 percent increase to $128,585 next year. The program, which helps adults with disabilities secure and maintain employment, will serve more clients because of a change in government programming. CIC requested fewer dollars for its Adult Services program.
YMCA Child-care Scholarships will receive $12,000, a 70 percent increase in United Way funding. This will meet a growing need among low-income participants for assistance with child-care expenses. The YMCA Teen Program will receive 29 percent more, or $29,800, to enhance youth programming.
The Community Partners program, provided by Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled, will receive $16,000, an 18 percent increase. This program supports friendships and social relationships between disabled adults and community volunteers.
Additional dollars in the overall goal go to management and campaign expenses, community planning, volunteer center, special allocation, United Way dues and depreciation.