Accountability: The Citizens’ Review Process
More than 60 volunteers, representing a cross-section of the community, make recommendations on the distribution of funds raised through the annual campaign. They face the daunting assignment of addressing identified needs in the community while staying within anticipated revenues. Since needs always exceed means, the allocations process has been designed to make the criteria as objective as possible: financial accountability; organizational performance and program effectiveness; and outcome measurement.
The volunteers work through six subcommittees, each of which reviews three to four partner agencies. Over a three-month period, committee members visit the agencies, monitor program results, consider budgets, and submit a written report to the United Way Community Investment Council. The Council balances the committees’ recommendations with the campaign goal for the coming year. Their allocations plan is then submitted to the United Way Board of Directors for final approval.
In 2007 a new committee has been added to review requests for support from United Way’s HELP Fund, a special fund that provides health-related grants. Also new this year is a pilot of an effort to streamline the allocations process through multiyear funding.
If you would be interested in serving as a volunteer for the allocations process, contact our community investment director, Bridget Supple: bridget.supple@stjosephunitedway.org
