The United Way of Portage County Board has approved $1,278,509 to meet high-priority needs in the community in 2002. It is a 7.7 percent increase in funding from the current year.
Of that total, $1,178,228 was allocated for human service programs offered by 20 local agencies. An additional $97,781 is earmarked for special allocations, nearly double the amount available this year.
The program funding levels were recommended by a group of 60 community volunteers who analyzed requests in spring. After visiting agencies, examining budgets and weighing priorities, these volunteers recommended allocating funds for 32 programs.
"During April and May, the United Way Allocations Committee members spent countless volunteer hours reviewing United Way agency requests submitted earlier this year," said Kathy Davies, Allocations Cabinet co-chair. "These citizen members are committed to allocating donor dollars to agency programs that meet this community's greatest needs in the most efficient, cost-effective manner. It was a process that truly reviewed each request in an unbiased, honest and professional manner."
Agency allocations increased an average of 4.3 percent for 2002.
"With the average increase in requests coming in at 17.9 percent, it was clear that the committee had the donors' intentions and our community's greatest needs in mind," Davies said.
Funding decisions made during the allocations process help determine the annual campaign goal. The United Way of Portage County Board endorsed seeking a 2 percent increase in donations during the annual fund drive.
"A 2 percent increase in a campaign will allow us to increase our agency allocations by 4 percent," said Dennis Brown, who is the 2001 campaign chair and president of Delta Dental Plan of Wisconsin. In light of local economic conditions and community needs, he said, "I think it's reasonable and achievable."
The 2001 campaign goal is $1,683,000.
The Special Allocations Fund will increase from $47,188 to $97,781. The United Way Special Allocations Fund is available to meet unanticipated or emerging human service needs in the community.
United Way of Portage County awards additional funds outside of the normal allocations process to local nonprofit organizations that may or may not be United Way agencies. Special allocations are available to help fund these four areas: special, unforeseen needs; new services or approaches to human service needs; equipment and emergency needs.
In addition to agency allocations, a Youth Development Fund of $2,500 will be available for programs or individuals addressing youth alcohol and drug abuse prevention and intervention. United Way will work with Portage County Intervention for Youth, which had awarded grants for a similar purpose.
Twelve United Way programs received the full allocations requested by their agencies. Among the largest increases approved for 2002:
- The Achievement Center-Early Intervention Program will receive a 10 percent increase to $63,935 next year. The program, which provides physical, occupational and speech therapy to children, ages birth to age 3 with developmental delays, faces expenses that rise faster than its other revenue sources.
- The Mental Health Association will receive 15 percent more, or $21,029 in 2002. Its Parent-to-Parent program anticipates a 10 percent increase in the number of young families participating in the mentoring program that matches volunteer parents with new parents.
- Portage County Child Passenger Safety Association will receive a 20 percent increase in funding to $21,800. The increase is needed to maintain service levels in light of increasing expenses for promoting children's safety programs, such as car seat and bicycle helmet safety.
- YMCA Childcare Scholarships will receive $14,789, a 23 percent increase in United Way funding. This will serve additional low-income participants who need assistance with childcare expenses. The YMCA Strong Kids Financial Assistance Program will receive 14 percent more, or $62,804. Other funding sources are decreasing while the number of youth needing financial assistance is increasing.
- Ministry Behavioral Health will receive $20,000, a 12 percent increase. This program will administer scholarships for a Teen Leadership Institute that previously was funded through United Way's allocation to Portage County Intervention for Youth.
It is the policy of United Way of Portage County to fund organizations based on the service each organization provides; the ability to meet current community needs; the greatest benefit to the people of Portage County.
United Way will again fund youth development programs of the Boy Scouts in Portage County for $32,900 in 2002.
The board approved a position statement last fall requiring United Way of Portage County and all its member agencies to be in compliance with state and federal laws. Admission and funding of a member agency is not an endorsement of the entire mission and beliefs of any agency, but an acknowledgement that the agency is providing valuable services to its customers.
AGENCY PROGRAMS 2001 2002
Achievement Center-Early Intervention Program $58,123 $63,935
Advocates Developmentally Disabled /Community Partners $16,000 $16,050
American Red Cross $81,000 $83,430
Big Brothers Big Sisters (total) $94,772 $98,582
BBBS Traditional Match $76,195 $80,005
BBBS School Based Mentoring $18,577 $18,577
Boy Scouts of Samoset Council $31,630 $32,900
Cap Services (total) $133,853 $141,381
CAP/Family Crisis Center $68,379 $72,634
CAP/Refugee Project $53,889 $56,583
CAP/Skills Enhancement Program $11,585 $12,164
Community Industries (total) $152,816 $146,501
CIC/Adult Services $5,854 $5,854
CIC/Respite Services $18,377 $19,112
CIC/Supported Employment $128,585 $121,535
Children's Service Society (total) $78,963 $80,360
CSS/Counseling $44,000 $44,000
CSS/Family Resource Centers $34,963 $36,360
Department On Aging (total) $50,114 $51,076
Aging/Adult Day Care $10,300 $10,609
Aging/Rural Delivered Meals $21,764 $22,417
Aging/Holly Shoppe $18,050 $18,050
Energy Services Of Portage County $19,524 $19,524
Epilepsy Foundation Of Central & Northeast Wis. $20,000 $19,770
Girl Scouts/Woodland Council $33,600 $35,000
Meals On Wheels $78,990 $85,309
Mental Health Association $18,233 $21,029
Ministry Behavioral Health $18,000 $20,000
Portage County Child Passenger Safety $18,066 $21,800
Portage County Intervention For Youth $8,300 $4,000
Portage County Literacy Council $15,490 $15,490
Salvation Army $66,000 $70,000
YMCA (total) $136,158 $151,891
YMCA/Childcare Youth Scholarships $12,000 $14,789
YMCA/Strong Kids Financial Assistance $55,000 $62,804
YMCA/Special Populations $39,358 $42,798
YMCA/Teen Program $29,800 $31,500
Total Agency Allocations $1,129,632 $1,178,228
Special Allocations $47,000 $97,781
Youth Development Fund $10,000 $2,500
Total Allocations $1,186,820 $1,278,509