UWSC Announces Funding Distributions

United Way of Summit County’s Board of Directors has approved total fund distributions of $9,714,174, an increase of about 1% over the total distributed in 2009.

For the past nine weeks, scores of local volunteers reviewed detailed program and financial information and provided funding recommendations for 94 programs from 46 agencies.

The $9.71 million package is a combination of investment decisions made by these volunteers and gifts specifically directed by donors:

· Unrestricted gifts: $4,439,864 of the total community investment derives from unrestricted gifts made to the community through United Way. Volunteers from across the county provide direction over the distribution of these funds. These investments support programs of United Way affiliated agencies and other community organizations.

· American Red Cross – Summit County Chapter: $1,001,146 is committed to the Red Cross through a contractual relationship that guarantees a percentage of the campaign total.

· Out of system gifts: $1,880,153 was raised through the local campaign, but directed by individual donors to local and national nonprofits and other United Ways that are not associated with United Way of Summit County’s Community Impact Plan.

· Donor designations: $1,192,046 is designated by donors to specific United Way of Summit County affiliated agencies and Impact Areas.

· United Way Community Services: $893,465 is utilized to provide direct services to the public, including planning for community needs; capacity building for community organizations; programs of The Volunteer Center including Day of Acton and Brown Bag Seminars; Labor Liaison and union counselor training; Neighborhood Leadership Training Institute, and Project Blueprint, our Minority leadership development program.

· Community Support and Response Funding: $307,500 is committed for new program development and special initiative funding including direct funding for hospital assistance, Born Learning program and Youth Initiative funding.

In addition to campaign results, United Way of Summit County’s yearly income includes sponsorship contributions, investment returns and fees for services.

Of note is $21,164 that has been set aside for services to be provided in the Twinsburg Heights community. Funding may be made available to qualified non-profit organizations seeking to re-institute programs that had been managed by the Salvation Army of Summit County at the Western Reserve Outreach Center – including emergency assistance, youth development and adult socialization. For more information, contact Lois Foster, United Way of Summit County Vice President – Community Impact, at 330-643-5509.

United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, explore our website at www.uwsummit.org, or visit our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.