Allocating for greater impact
By Jon Fine, CEO

As you are probably aware, United Way of King County has changed the way we work over the last few years. As part of our efforts to solve community problems instead of just manage them, we've changed the way we fund agencies. We've created a more open process and we've sought better strategic alignment with our key areas of focus. It is our objective to work with those agencies best able to meet United Way's and the community's identified outcomes throughout the region and for all people.

As a result, we've received requests from agencies serving a wide array of people in all parts of the region, some agencies currently funded, some never funded. We've also increased funding for our two priorities. We're investing an additional $300,000 in school readiness funding to increase the quality of care for young children. And we're investing an additional $1 million in ending homelessness to build supportive housing. Allocations include investing a total of approximately $30.6 million of discretionary funding in the coming year.

The decision-making process to distribute investments is based on input from each of our eight impact councils. They evaluate how best to solve specific community issues. The councils assess community needs and make decisions about what programs will make the most difference. Volunteer experts from the nonprofit, government, and business arenas make up the councils, which prioritize needs and recommend what programs should be funded and at what level.

We're currently investing in a total of eight areas we believe are critical to strengthening our community:

• School Readiness
• Ending Homelessness
• Youth
• Supporting Older Adults
• Ending Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
• Employment/Job Training
• Health and Substance Abuse
• System Support

Allocating within the impact areas above will ensure strong outcomes that ultimately benefit everyone in King County.

We also recognize the inherent value all nonprofits play in ensuring our community remains vital and healthy and everyone's desire for a strong, effective nonprofit infrastructure. We're extremely grateful to all of you for the work you do to improve our community and we thank you for your efforts and support.

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