Making An Impact

United Way of Inner Wisconsin's fund distribution process has been evolving over the last seven years due to the increasing needs in our community and the fact that funding is not keeping up with those needs. This problem is not unique to our community however.  

The United Way system developed a new strategic direction in response.  This direction, based on a great deal of discussion and analysis, called on local United Ways to allocate funds to programs according to their impact and targeted causes while measuring their outcomes.  This shift allows for increased financial accountability, more feedback for health and human service programs, ensures that program participants are receiving services that are shown to produce positive change and allows United Way to have a greater impact in the community.  

The United Way of Inner Wisconsin embarked on this shift to impact funding within south Wood County during 2001 with the creation of three vision councils: Helping Children and Youth Succeed, Fulfilling Basic Needs and Supporting our Vulnerable and Aging Population.  These vision councils have been working on identifying and prioritizing the human service needs in south Wood County in what is called vision council summaries.  Members of these vision councils represent various segments of the community, human service agencies, social services, government agencies, health services, school districts, law enforcement and other members at large.

During the 2008 allocation process, hard-working volunteers embarked on the first Community Impact fund-distribution method by allocated funds according to the priorities identified in the vision council summaries.  Allocating in this manner allows United Way donors to invest in attacking the most serious needs of our community.   

Who are these hard-working volunteers?  The process begins with review panels, which are made up of ten members (similar to the old allocations committee) who will review applications for funding, hear program presentations and make recommendations to the Community Impact Committee.  This committee reviews the submitted recommendations and will make the final recommendation to the United Way Board of Directors, who is ultimately responsible for all final funding decisions.  Click here for diagram.

United Way also evaluates the results of the programs supported by the community, allowing for continuous improvement and accountability in the programs and initiatives receiving United Way funding.  In 2006, United Way “Site Audit” volunteers also began visiting funded program sites to ensure that donor dollars are being used they way they were intended and that the program is achieving the results and outcomes expected.

United Way has now evolved from funding agencies to funding programs and services that address the most critical community needs effectively and efficiently in south Wood County.  The evolution is not over however, it is an ongoing partnership that is being done in collaboration with Marshfield Area United Way to better serve the needs in Wood County, involve more people in the fund distribution process, make that process more user friendly for the applicants and most importantly, make a bigger impact on the communities in Wood County.  This process will also begin in Adams County in the near future.

Click Here To See Our Vision Councils

Click Here To Download An Application