BROWARD COUNTY, FL – (May 27) – United Way of Broward County’s Board of Directors approved a package of over $8 million in health and human service investments designed to deliver measurable results in the areas of health, education and income. These funding decisions take effect July 1, 2009.
“United Way volunteers went through an exhaustive process to identify our community’s greatest challenges and address the root causes of each issue. These investments represent the programs our volunteers confirmed to be the most effective in helping us improve lives in Broward County,” said Dr. Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, President & CEO of United Way of Broward County.
With the recent downturn in the economy, the needs in Broward County have greatly increased. By the investment application review process deadline in January 2009, United Way of Broward County received 173 applications for funding from 97 agencies. In total, more than $12 million was requested. After the rigorous volunteer-driven application review process was completed, 87 programs housed at 60 local non-profit agencies were selected for funding. The comprehensive list of $8.3 million in investments can be found at www.unitedwaybroward.org.
United Way of Broward County volunteers rated Broward County’s most pressing community needs with those programs that would have the greatest positive impact. In addition to assessing the program’s alignment with United Way’s goals and its outcomes, the volunteers took a number of factors into consideration in formulating their recommendations, including the design and cost-effectiveness of the program as well as the ability of the program to attract matching grants and other funding sources.
Specific funding recommendations were made by volunteer teams and they were submitted to United Way’s Community Advisory Council to approve. Finally, these recommendations went before United Way’s Board of Directors who gave its final funding approval on May 27. Notification letters have been sent to all agencies.
The impact area of Health received $1,129,598 in funding. This focus area will be invested in essential programs for individuals and families affected by mental and physical challenges. The funding will lead the effort in decreasing the instances of child abuse and/or neglect by addressing parental substance abuse issues.
Under the impact area of Education, $1,766,375 in funding will facilitate programming and attention to issues ranging from early childhood education to access to after school care for children with special needs.
The Income impact area received $1,126,000 to provide a range of programs from the safety net services of emergency shelter programs and food pantries to economic recovery programs like transitional housing and case management leading to first time home ownership.
There is an additional $1,144,600 that will fulfill existing contracts with Broward County agencies and another $375,000 that will be devoted to new Community Impact Requests for Proposals in January 2010.
Donor directed investments totaled an additional $2.8 million.
About United Way of Broward County
United Way of Broward County is a volunteer driven, community-based, non-profit organization with a mission to focus and unite the entire community to create significant lasting change that positively impacts people’s lives. UWBC is the catalyst for change and convener of partnerships that unite the hearts, minds, and resources within the Broward community. For more information, visit www.unitedwaybroward.org.