In 2009, United Way invited its member agencies to a series of candid conversations about both United Way’s organizational direction and effect it would have on our relationship.  United Way’s future funding process will be based on a competitive request for proposal process and will seek organizations that will help reach goals in Education, Income and Health or Basic Needs.  To assist agencies during this transition, Unite Way permanently lifted its traditional black-out period which restricted an agency’s ability to raise funds in September and October.  In 2010, agencies received a two-year funding commitment.  Beginning in 2012, United Way will transition to funding aligned with strategies and outcomes focused on community goals.

United Way deeply appreciates the services of member agencies and extends an invitation to all to join United Way in critical work surrounding its goals in advancing the common good.

United Way has had a long and beneficial partnership with agencies throughout the community during the past 80 years.  Many of these agencies – and others – have been working side by side with us as we develop goals and strategies in the areas of Education, Income and Health, as well as Basic Needs. Funding and partnership in the future will be solely based on an agency’s ability to help make progress on these goals and strategies or in the area of basic needs. Our relationship with an agency in the future will be based on many things, including funding, volunteerism and advocacy.  We believe that many of our currently funded agencies will be positioned to continue our partnership and look forward to developing relationships with agencies that we have not worked with in the past. United Way deeply appreciates all of the agencies in our community and their dedication to making our community a better place for everyone.

There will be multiple opportunities for organizations to partner with United Way.  Funding continues to be a vital part of United Way‘s role in the community.  United Way’s work will also include mobilizing volunteers and advocating in support of community goals.

United Way of Greater Topeka’s mission is to create positive, sustainable change in our community. Through Living United and fostering a community which gives, advocates and volunteers, United Way is working diligently with community partners to Advance the Common Good and Improve the Condition of All. United Way is committed to being a good steward of your investment. Volunteers carefully evaluate each program requesting funding by reviewing budgets, goals and results. Because of this process, you can be assured that your investment is making a difference in lives across our county.

The funding decision process has been and always will be volunteer driven.  Funding requests will be submitted using a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process.  Funding decisions will be decided by community committees and approved by the board.

United Way will work with all of our partners to achieve short- and long-term results to show headway toward goals and specific outcomes.  As in the past, we will measure outcomes to evaluate and report progress.

The community impact councils consist of volunteers from diverse sectors who convene to develop, execute and monitor board-approved goals and volunteer-driven strategies.

Basic Needs continue to be an important part of United Way’s work.  Emergencies occur in every community, in every economy.  United Way remains committed to involvement in shelter, rent/utilities, food, health access/prescriptions, safety from domestic violence.

Research and data was collected from a variety of credible national, state and local sources.  For more information on various studies and research used, contact Tom Stratton by email here.

After extensive input from the community at large, deliberations from impact councils, the United Way Board of Directors thoughtfully adopted five goals in the areas of education, income and health.

• Increase by 50% the number of children ready to read by Kindergarten.
• Reduce by 50 % the achievement gap in 3rd grade reading and 6th grade math for our most vulnerable children.
• Cut the number of financially unstable families in our community in half (financially unstable is defined as those spending 40% or more on housing).
• Reduce by 10% the number of adults who are overweight or obese.
• Reduce by 20% the number of 6th through 12th graders who illegally use alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana.

This change came after a great deal of planning and to bring about long-term sustainable change in our community.  This evolution was Board and volunteer directed and began more than three years ago. It was the natural next step in the continuous process to best serve our community. In collaboration with all parts of our community, United Way’s working knowledge of community issues empowers us to proactively move the needle on community issues, ensuring the greatest accountability and measurable results for donors and those benefiting from the community goals

• United Way has refined its focus with measurable goals that start with root causes and outcomes to ultimately create a more vital, more stable and more livable community.  We are changing the picture of how Topeka, Shawnee County and Jefferson County will look in five years, in 10 years and beyond.
  
  
• United Way and community partners advance the education of our children; improve health and wellness for our community; and ensure everyone’s quality of life.
  
  
• Collectively, these goals strengthen the community by connecting neighbors, businesses, and local government in an effort that improves everyone’s economic prosperity.
  
  
• United Way remains committed to supporting basic needs:  Shelter, Rent/Utilities, Food, Health Access/Prescriptions, Safety from Domestic Violence