Funding Priorities & Allocation Process
Funding Priorities Explained
In 2006, the Board of Directors struck a Community Needs Assessment Committee to embark on a series of conversations, surveys and focus groups to ensure United Way of Quinte’s funding priorities were aligned with the needs of the community. After a lengthy and in-depth process over an 18 month period, the committee determined that United Way of Quinte needed to alter its funding priorities. Recommendations to the Board of Directors resulted in the adoption of five new key priorities and priority statements.
-Providing access to basic needs and employment supports
We believe individuals and families should have access to the basic needs of life.
-Promoting healthy development of children and youth
We believe all children and youth deserve quality, affordable childcare, recreational and social development opportunities.
-Reducing barriers and isolation for seniors and people with disabilities
We believe that all people, regardless of age or ability, deserve opportunities to participate fully in their community.
-Strengthening individuals and families in times of need and crisis
We believe that individuals and families have the right to live free from violence, addictions, stigmas and crisis.
-Strengthening community capacity
We believe volunteerism and civic engagement strengthen the community’s capacity to respond to human service needs.
Allocations Process
United Way of Quinte is a volunteer led, staff driven organization. This philosophy is practiced agency wide, including the allocations process. Teams of volunteers complete thorough and comprehensive reviews of 50 or more not-for-profit organizations requesting funding from United Way of Quinte every year. The process involves many hours of meetings, discussion, reading, analyzing and review, resulting in funding decisions which ensure United Way of Quinte’s logo is proudly displayed by organizations that are accountable, transparent and both fiscally and socially responsible.
United Way of Quinte strives to keep administrative costs to a minimum, allocating $0.83 of every dollar to community programming. This favours very well when compared to a survey from Imagine Canada citing $0.74 as the national average.
FUNDING FROM THE 2008 CAMPAIGN WAS DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AS FOLLOWS:
Eligibility
Eligibility for United Way of Quinte funding includes the following criteria:
• The agency provides services to residents of Hastings County and/or Prince Edward County
• A volunteer Board of Directors governs the agency
• The agency provides audited annual financial statements
• The agency is registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency as a current registered charity
• The agency complies fully with the Ontario Human Rights Code in hiring practices and in provision of services.
United Way of Quinte does NOT fund:
• Services that are primarily cultural, religious or political in nature
• The arts
• Medical research
• Capital costs
• Individuals
In determining whether to fund an agency or program, the Board of Directors of United Way of Quinte, Inc., upon recommendation of the Central Allocations Committee will consider:
• The optimum use of available financial resources of United Way of Quinte
• The priorities of United Way of Quinte
• The policies and procedures of United Way of Quinte
• The impact, if any, of funding the Agency on the goodwill or support of United Way or other funded agencies
• The ability of United Way to meet all recognized needs in the community and other funding requests
• The Central Allocations Committee report on Agency performance, as outlined under categories of Agency Performance below.
United Way of Quinte is not in the position to meet all recognized needs within the community, not withstanding that an Agency might meet or exceed expectations on all criteria. Once an Agency is approved for and accepts funding for on-going programs from United Way of Quinte, it is subject to all policies and allocations procedures, must abide by the Funded Agency Agreement, and the Supplemental Fundraising Agreement.
Evaluation of Agency Performance and Funding Recommendations
Funding recommendations by the Allocation Committee will be based on the Agency's performance against the United Way Values and the Funding Criteria. The Allocations Committee will provide an evaluation of each criterion and each value statement for the Agency to support the funding or admission recommendation submitted to the Board of Directors.
Payment of Allocations
The approved allocation shall be dispensed in twelve equal monthly instalments. The approved allocation will be paid in full, except where, after discussion, significant changes in the circumstances of the United Way or the Agency, indicate otherwise. If the Agency is not using the funds as stated in their proposal, the United Way reserves the right to withhold monthly instalments until United Way of Quinte is satisfied that the funds are being used appropriately.
Non-Operating Funds
United Way funds are to be used for operating purposes - expenditure items that are consumed during a normal operating year or cycle. In special cases under unusual circumstances, United Way may agree to fund essential non-operating items based upon the merits of each individual case.
