Volunteers distribute funds to area agency programs

If you asked 2,000 people how to spend money, you’d probably get 2,000 different answers.  Opinions become even more divided when people’s lives are affected by how you spend the dollars.

That’s why Kishwaukee United Way asks its team of Board volunteers to analyze the best way to invest funds raised in last year’s annual campaign.  The allocation panel is comprised of community volunteers from varied backgrounds. The members spent over 24 total hours in a 5 week period between agency site visits, reviews and discussions involved in the process.  Volunteers weighed the impact made by each of the agency programs against the requests made by partner organizations, the pool of available funds, and overall community needs.

The end result: $290,000 will go to 23 organizations and programs having a direct impact on the lives of thousands of DeKalb County residents – 95 cents of every dollar donated to United Way is reinvested in local programs and services.

Dawn Littlefield, Executive Director of the Kishwaukee United Way said, “Every agency is evaluated on an individual basis by Board volunteers and there are in-depth discussions on each program’s impact in our service area.”

Extensive research, fiscal review, lively debate and much consideration was given before funding recommendations became final.  The Board of Directors voted approval of the allocations at its May Board of Directors meeting.

“The process began in March,” noted Renee Ellingson, Kishwaukee United Way President.  “Area non-profit partner agencies received grant applications and submitted information about their program needs and financial data.  Board members studied the material, personally visited funded agencies and shared information between the two allocation teams.”

One of the most time intensive aspects of the allocation process are the agency panel presentations where organizations present information about their programs, and answer questions about their requests.

“As a part of the process, we asked questions about the effectiveness of each program.” Kayte Hamel, incoming Campaign Chair said, of the questions asked to partner agencies during presentations.  “We looked at where dollars were to be spent in each program, how the program is currently being evaluated and how many people are being served.”

The responsibility of allocation volunteers is to make the funding decisions in a way that ensured donor dollars are being used effectively to make the greatest impact.

With requests coming in over $24,000 higher than the available funding of $290,000 the inevitable shortfall meant both a literal and proverbial give-and-take, requiring team members to be as objective as possible.

“I am satisfied with the results,” Ellingson said.  “The input from Board members made sense, and there was good discussion and overall compromises. There is a vast amount of need in our community that may not visible to the average person.  This process ensures help and support for the neighbors and families in our community who are in need of services. We are grateful to the community for their support of Kishwaukee United Way. Without our donors and volunteers we would not be able to assist the local agencies that in turn help the members of our community.”

For more information on how you can support your community through a donation to our Fall Campaign and to learn more about United Way and our important work, please contact Kishwaukee United Way at 815.756.7522 or visit www.kishwaukeeuntedway.com