Thanks to the good folks at Patch for keeping people informed about happenings in our community, like this for example: http://ow.ly/8LB6l

Our campaign is on track to surpass our goal. Read about the great people, companies and foundations that have made it possible thusfar. http://ow.ly/8IAnq

United Way of Summit Co. on Track to Surpass Goal

            The final push is on for the 2011-12 United Way/Red Cross Campaign in Summit County, and campaign staff and volunteers are optimistic that the final results will be positive. 

Volunteer Campaign Chair Brian Moore, a partner in the law firm Roetzel & Andress, recently announced that projections show the campaign will exceed the $11,250,000 goal when final results are announced in early April. 

“We’re so thrilled and proud of how our community stepped up to blow past our aggressive goal,” Moore said.  “So many individuals and organizations contributed mightily to this effort, it’s truly inspiring to see this impressive show of generosity.  This campaign will bring our campaign results back to where we were before the 2008 recession.”

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “Thanks to the incredibly hard work of our volunteers and staff, our community continues to be a top performer among big cites in Ohio and among comparable communities across the country. More than 30,000 individuals, businesses and foundations, gave sacrificially to help us achieve our aggressive community goal and many increased their giving over the previous year.  

“Our two largest campaigns, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company & FirstEnergy Corp., both posted increases with Goodyear posting the largest increase in the entire campaign. Other top increasing campaigns included GOJO Industries, Inc., The University of Akron, Myers Industries, Inc., FirstMerit Bank, and Roetzel & Andress.  GAR Foundation provided a generous match for contributions from new and increased donors.  GAR is our third largest contributor.  Every contribution of any amount was important this year as families continued to struggle with reduced income and increased expenses.”  

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.

United Way joins Austen BioInnovation, SC Health District to improve people's health in Summit County. http://ow.ly/8EeEr

United Way staffer Brenda Farrell in a testimonial for our online data management company CTK. http://ow.ly/8DsuN

UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY SEEKS REQUESTS FOR FUNDING

          United Way of Summit County is accepting funding proposals for its Development and Priorities Funds.  Recognizing that local nonprofit organizations are struggling in the harsh economic environment with tighter funding and increasing client loads, for the first time the Development Fund will consider and give preference to proposals for capacity building.  It will also continue to  consider funding requests for new programs or to expand successful existing programs that address critical community needs.

          “Capacity building” grants would be one-time funding to improve the effectiveness, efficiency or financial sustainability of a program or organization.  Creative proposals are encouraged. “New” programs are defined as services not previously offered by the submitting agency. “Expanded” programs are currently offered with plans for expansion into a new geographic area or provision to an additional or replacement population. Development Fund Grants will be awarded based on the merits of the proposal, with emphasis on increasing service capacity for critical programs, how well it addresses a critical community need, and the benefits to local residents in need. The proposals are also compared to currently existing programs and agencies..

          United Way of Summit County also seeks proposals for its Priority Funds which are focused on: Financial Stability for Families, School Readiness for Children, and Utility Assistance for Adults Without Minor Children in the Household.

          The goal of the Financial Stability for Families priority area is to enable families to obtain and maintain employment and manage personal resources independent of public assistance. The goal of the School Readiness for Children priority area is to prepare children to succeed in Kindergarten and put them on a path of life-long learning. The goal of the Utility Assistance Without Minor Children priority area is to restore or maintain utility services in order to prevent displacement of the household occupant.

          Organizations submitting proposals are encouraged to  seek alignment of programs and projects for which they are seeking funding with existing collaborative efforts in the county such as  Healthy Summit 2020 (Quality of life) Project and the County’s First Things First Early Childhood Development System Plan  . A full description of collaborative efforts is available at . http://www.uwsummit.org/CommunityInvestment/Collaborative.htm

          United Way of Summit County sets aside a portion of undesignated revenue for distribution for Development and Priorities grants through an open Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Area 501 (c) (3) non-profit agencies are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent to United Way of Summit County to determine which organizations will be invited to submit formal proposals.

Successful eligible applicants must:

• Submit a Letter of Intent by Monday, February 20, 2012
• Submit a full proposal online according to United Way’s guidelines and instructions
• Provide service in Summit County
• Be a tax exempt 501-C-3 organization, or have a fiscal agent
• Be in existence for at least three (3) years
• Provide full disclosure of finances (Provide copy of latest financial audit report and IRS Form 990)
• Have a volunteer, representative board of directors/trustees and provide a list of its members
• Adhere to and provide a policy and practice of non-discrimination in the provision of services
• Certify conformity with the United States Patriot Act for receipt of funding
• Be a contributing organization to the United Way of Summit County fundraising campaign or agree to conduct employee campaign, if awarded grant
• Submit requested documents as labeled attachments with the Letter of Intent

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

          A Letter of Intent to respond to the Request for Proposal must be received at United Way of Summit County’s offices (90 N. Prospect Street, Akron, OH 44304) by 4:00 pm, on Monday, February 20, 2012.

          To obtain the Letter of Intent form, and all information on the Grant Proposal Application process, call Sue at 330-643-5510.  Applications from those agencies invited to submit a formal proposal will be accepted only through United Way’s Community Impact Online Data Manager by 4:00 pm, Friday, April 20 , 2012.

          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.

United Way of Summit Co. Board, the best leaders anywhere! Another great meeting today - we share more in 1 hour than most groups can in 3

The Docs Who Rock DVDs are done! If you didn't pre-ordered a copy, contact our office and you can be enjoying the great music and fun from the 2011 show. http://ow.ly/8wocp

January is National Mentoring Month. Mentors change lives. Read about opportunities right here in Summit County. http://ow.ly/8kqdj

UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER CENTER RECOGNIZING NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH

Each January since 2002, National Mentoring Month has focused national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter futures for our young people. Locally, United Way of Summit County Volunteer Center will be celebrating National Mentoring Month by actively recruiting volunteers interested in mentoring and highlighting agencies that have mentoring programs.

Volunteers who would like to mentor can call Andrea Metzler at the Volunteer Center at 330-643-5512 to find out more, or apply online at www.uwsummit.org.

 Some of the current mentoring opportunities include Akron Public Schools, Big Brother Big Sisters of Summit and Medina Counties, Goodwill Industries of Akron, Inc., On a Mission to Manhood, Open M, and The First Tee of Akron. Agencies that have mentoring programs not listed are encouraged to call the volunteer center to post their opportunities.

Among the events being held to celebrate National Mentoring month will be “HELP THEM GET THERE: BE A MENTOR,” a seminar hosted by 100 Black Men of America – Greater Akron Chapter and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Summit & Medina Counties, to be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, from 12 noon to 3:00 pm at Helen Arnold Community Learning Center, 450 Vernon Odom Boulevard, Akron.

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.

We hope your 2012 is off to a great start! Congratulations to our Board member Christine Amer Mayer! http://ow.ly/8gA9T