Funding Priorities & Allocation Process
United Way Community Impact Areas
Like so many United Way agencies across the country, United Way of Quinte has always been a highly successful and trusted fundraising organizing. We recognize the positive impact fundraising has had on our community partners and the people we serve. United Way of Quinte has long worked to improve lives by mobilizing the financial resources of businesses, employees, other individuals, and foundations in support of direct service programs at funded agencies that measurably improve people's lives.
In addition to this fundamental belief, United Ways across the country have begun to recognize that they can contribute to a greater movement - that movement is called Community Impact. Community Impact is about achieving meaningful, long-term improvements to quality of life in our communities -- addressing not just the symptoms of the problems but also identifying the root causes. It's about making fundamental changes to community conditions and not just providing a portion of monies raised through annual campaigns. Doing so calls for a more sophisticated approach for United Way, in addition to the traditional funding and direct service approach.
The following impact areas will be the focus of funding for United Way of Quinte. Over the next several months and years, we will be working with the community to determine and develop targets and outcomes for each impact area.
All That Kids Can Be
Impact Statement:
To ensure children and youth are valued and supported members of the community with the opportunities and resources to help them reach their full potential.
Healthy People, Strong Communities
Impact Statement:
To improve opportunities for people to access programs and supports that empower them to overcome barriers, build resilience, reduce isolation and be part of a caring, inclusive community.
From Poverty to Possibility
Impact Statement:
To help people engage in their community by strengthening neighbourhood revitalization efforts, reducing poverty and improving access to affordable housing.
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.
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.
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.
