The Value-AddJune 2016

United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties strives for a community where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, financial stability and healthy lives. Together with United Way, we improve the quality of life for every person in every community.

We raise money.

We work with a dedicated group of volunteers and Campaign Coordinators who lead their companies and organizations to raise more than $3.5 million in contributions each year.

We vet agencies.

We do the due diligence that individual donors don’t always have the time, resources, or knowledge to do.Local people volunteer their time tovet all of the nonprofits we fund in the areas of quality programming, governance, finance, and sustainability.

We fund solutions.

We empower people to unite and solve complex problems here in the Tri Cities.Our fundraising campaign dollars are allocated to address the immediate basic needs of local families and strategically solve systemic barriers to education, financial stability, and health.Through more than20 local agency partners and over 50 programs, our funding helps1 in 4 people in the Tri Cities every year.

The following are examples of the value-add that United Way’s services bring to this community:

1.Childhood Success: Promotes healthy development of children

  • Scientific evidence shows that a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development begins as soon as he/she enters this world.
  • United Way is coordinating with numerous local organizations on the implementation of this initiative, including the Benton Franklin Early Learning Alliance, school districts, not-for-profits, hospitals, pediatricians, 2-1-1, etc.
  • The community-wide initiative helps parents, caregivers, and the community build a strong foundation for our children so they will be successful in school and in life.

2.Attendance Matters®: Increases likelihood of young people graduating from high school

  • In partnership with 18 schools and numerous other organizations, businesses, and civic organizations, United Way is raising awareness and creating action to increase school attendance throughout our community emphasizing the following:
  • Regular attendance affects a student’s success in school and in life;
  • When students do well in school and graduate, they are more likely to be gainfully employed, pursue a healthier lifestyle, live in a safe environment, and contribute to the well-being of a community;
  • With the goal of reducing middle school absences by 2 per student, learning will be increased by 140,000 hours of instruction in a school year;
  • 18middle schools,serving 12,000 students, in our community are actively participating in the project.
  • After the first two years of implementing Attendance Matters®,attendance improved by an average of one day per student per year.

3.Community Investment: Provides funding for local services that align with United Way’sCommunity Solutions priorities

  • An open application process is conducted bi-annually, requesting program proposals from local 501(c)(3) organizations.
  • Board members review and rate applications and determine funding for selected programs focusing on United Way’s priority areas that will improve lives in our community.
  • Funded programs track and report results.
  • United Way continues to facilitate a community-wide process that examines local needs and sets priorities.

4.Long-Term Follow-Along Project: Evaluates effectiveness of services on reducing intergenerational poverty

  • Service providers track and report the results of their follow-along efforts and the progress towards achieving the following long-term outcomes:

Grace Clinic – “Preventing Complications in the Uninsured Diabetic”

Managing health related issues and maintaining good health to the extent possible;

IGNITE Youth Mentoring – “Match Supervision and Recruitment Project”

Learning to make better life choices;

Senior Life Resources – “Meals on Wheels” and “Meals on Wheels Under 60”

Helping people remain in their own homes as long as their health allows.

  • Organizational capacities of local not-for-profit organizations are increased by engaging the service providers in a “learning community” along with United Way, to share best practices and learn strategies to increase service delivery effectiveness.
  • Ongoing facilitation of a community-wide process occurs to examine local needs and review priorities.

5.2-1-1: Promotes and supports local, regional and state 2-1-1 services

  • People are connected with needed health and human services through 2-1-1 telephone service that was implemented in 2006 in our community and across the state.
  • There are ongoing efforts to communicate and educate the community about 2-1-1.
  • Regional coordination occurs to maximize effective service delivery.

6.United Way facilitates and oversees the national Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for Benton and Franklin Counties

  • United Way provides support for the EFSP local board that is comprised of representatives from many local organizations.
  • The EFSP Board conducts an open application process for not-for-profit organizations providing assistance to individuals with economic needs.
  • The Board developsand approves funding recommendations through a fair and thoughtful process.
  • Reports are provided to the federal EFSP office.

401 N. Young St. | Kennewick, WA 99336 | 509-783-4102 |

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