The purpose of United Way of Northeast Louisiana is Helping People and Improving Community. United Way is helping people through the Community Goals — Strengthening Families, Creating Bright Futures for Children, Responding to Crisis & Achieving Stability, and Improving Health & Wellness — by investing in programs that most effectively address critical issues identified by the donor. We are improving community through two community impact initiatives that have emerged from the Community Goals — United Way 2-1-1 and Childcare Counts!.

• United Way 2-1-1 is a way for people to get connected and get answers. Individuals in northeast Louisiana who need to get connected to community services can dial 2-1-1 on their telephone. Trained specialists provide information and referral services to those who need help and connections to those who would like to volunteer to help.

• Childcare Counts! is working to ensure that every child in Northeast Louisiana is provided developmentally appropriate childcare. One strategy toward this goal is the recently announced partnership with the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta to establish the Northeast Louisiana Childcare Loan Fund. Loans will be made to creditworthy Class A child-care centers for improvements that increase program quality and education experiences for the children served.

United Way of Northeast Louisiana is a local non-profit organization that has been supporting health and human service programs in Ouachita Parish since 1956, and in the entire Northeast Louisiana area since 1987. The Annual Campaign, grants and sponsorships provide funding for the Community Goals and the operation of United Way. A volunteer Board of Directors made up of 38 community leaders governs the organization. Hundreds of volunteers serve on committees including those that plan and implement the annual fund-raising campaign and those that determine how dollars raised should be invested in the United Way Community Goals. Volunteers are supported by a professional staff.

What is United Way of America?

United Way of America is a national trade association whose primary objective is to support activities of over 1,400 local United Ways across America. The organization provides education opportunities for volunteers and professional staff nationwide. It provides national media advertising such as television Public Service Announcements during the NFL football season. Our local dues for 2004 are $30,000.

The Community Investment Committee and teams of experienced volunteers representing all segments of our community determine how dollars raised should be invested in the four Community Goals. Teams of volunteers are organized around the four Community Goals: Creating Bright Futures for Children, Improving Health and Wellness, Responding to Crisis and Achieving Stability, Strengthening Families to determine the funding for agency programs that address these Community Goals

In addition to funding Partner Agency Programs, United Way has initiated a special initiative, Childcare Counts!. to work on childcare issues that face working parents. We will partner with the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, other non-profit organizations, childcare providers, schools, businesses, government and the faith community to address issues such as access to and quality of childcare. Childcare Counts! is one more way that United Way is Creating Bright Futures for Children.

In order to receive funding from United Way, an agency must demonstrate that it is addressing one or more of United Way’s Funding Priorities and meet strict accountability requirements:

· Be a tax exempt, non-profit corporation

· Be governed by a volunteer board whose members are elected and supported by trained, professional staff

· Have an annual, independent financial audit (Agencies with under $100,000 in revenue may have an independent review.)

· Meet reasonable standards of financial responsibility and efficiency

· Quantify or measure the changes that the agency/program is making in the lives of the people it serves.

Overall United Way funding from donors was down in 2003 which resulted in an overall reduction of funding to agency programs. Additionally, each agency program is evaluated individually in the following areas:

1. Is the agency being operated, managed and governed in a manner consistent with United Way Standards and is the agency fiscally sustainable?

2. Can the program quantify or measure the changes being made in people’s lives?

3. Is the program delivering services in a manner that clearly justifies use of United Way funds, and has a positive impact on both the client and the community?

Some agencies/programs received reductions in funding for 2004 due to deficiencies the Community Investment Volunteers observed in these three areas of accountability. It is important to note that not all agencies or programs experienced a reduction in funding.

While United Way has standards for Partnership, each agency is autonomous and is governed by a Board of Directors. The agencies determine the programs they provide to the community and their criteria for receiving services. Agencies are not totally funded by United Way dollars and may depend on service or membership fees for financial support. Frequently, agencies offer sliding fee schedules so that people who are unable to pay the total fee can be charged based on their ability to pay. Your United Way gift is needed to allow more people to receive help.

Why are some community non-profits no longer United Way Partner Agencies?

United Way honors donor designations to any health and human service 501(c)3 non-profit organization. However, to be a Partner Agency, agencies must address United Way’s Funding Priorities and meet accountability standards. In 2002, the United Way Board of Directors declared that since the Humane Society Adoption Center of Monroe was not addressing any United Way Funding Priorities, the agency would no longer be a Partner Agency. In 2003, the Boards of Directors of United Way and the Tri-District Boys & Girls Clubs mutually agreed to dissolve their partnership status. This action was based upon considerations around financial accountability.

United Way has a formal process for funding health and human service agencies that involves volunteer and staff review, fiscal accountability and agency compliance with policies set by the board of directors. United Way enters into contractual partnerships with agencies with the objective of achieving specific outcomes that address the four Community Goals.

Giving THROUGH United Way:

Donors who wish to direct their contribution to a specific United Way Community Goal, United Way 2-1-1, Childcare Counts!, a Partner Agency, or other 501(c)3 non-profit health and human service agency may do so by completing a Specific Care Form and submitting it with their pledge. Designations must be received by United Way by November 15, 2004 in order to be honored.

United Way has a formal process for funding health and human service agencies that involves volunteer and staff review, fiscal accountability and agency compliance with policies set by the board of directors. United Way enters into contractual partnerships with agencies with the objective of achieving specific outcomes that address the four Community Goals.

hot topics!

United Ways have a long history of support for the Boy Scouts, and United Way of Northeast Louisiana continues to honor that relationship. In 2004, funding to the Boy Scouts, Louisiana Purchase Council is $129,543.

Over the years, there have been several legal challenges raised concerning Boy Scouts policies. Boy Scouts of America vs. James Dale decision addressed the issue of whether the Boy Scouts, a private membership organization, can exclude homosexuals from serving as troop leaders. The Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment freedom of expression and association prevented the government from requiring the Boy Scouts to accept gay troop leaders.

United Way is a system of 1,400 separately incorporated independent organizations. Each United Way raises money in an annual fund-raising campaign and allocates funds to local health and human service agencies in their community. While a few United Ways have stopped funding Boy Scouts in their communities, United Way of Northeast Louisiana has a strong partnership with and continues to fund the Boy Scouts, Louisiana Purchase Council.

No! United Way of Northeast Louisiana does not provide funding for any agency which performs abortions or provides counseling on abortions. United Way of Northeast Louisiana member agencies do not refer individuals to abortion as an option. All information and referral telephone lines and crisis intervention telephone lines receiving funding from United Way of Northeast Louisiana, including United Way 2-1-1, have a strict policy of NOT referring individuals to abortion services. Individuals calling specifically for abortion information are referred to the yellow pages of the phone book.

What does it cost to run United Way of Northeast Louisiana?

Only 15.8 cents of every dollar pledged in the annual campaign is budgeted for administrative and fund-raising costs. The National Charitable Information Bureau recommends that charities limit these costs to 40¢ on the dollar which makes United Way very low as compared to the national requirements.

Your gift is tax deductible if you itemize deductions; however, a receipt is not required by the IRS and is not automatically issued by United Way unless you give $250 or more at one time.

United Way pressures people to give.

No. Giving is a personal decision. United Way has a strong policy against coercion. Whether a person gives to United Way and how much the person chooses to give is up to the individual. United Way of Northeast Louisiana does not support the use of threats or coercion of any kind.

I can’t afford it.

Every gift to United Way of Northeast Louisiana, no matter its size, makes a difference in our community. Many people find that giving through payroll deduction allows them to make a contribution that fits their budget. One of the advantages of giving to United Way is being part of a community effort that combines all of our giving to multiply the impact.

I know someone who asked for help and didn’t get it.

Needs always exceed the dollars available to meet them, so unfortunately, some people don't get help they may desperately need. Waiting lists can be reduced and programs expanded if more people give. Agencies have their own criteria and screening process for providing services.