United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Community Impact

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Investing in Results

At United Way, we are inspired by the knowledge that our donors have entrusted us with their investments in the future of this region. In today’s economic environment, donors expect a high social return on this investment – and that’s what Investing in Results is all about.

Investing in Results is United Way’s plan for identifying the community agencies in our region that we can partner with most effectively – through a targeted set of evidence-based strategies -- to make strides towards critical community goals:

To put this plan into action, United Way launched a new, fully open funding process that offered every human services agency in the region an opportunity to compete for general operating support from United Way.

Because of the high quality of the participating agencies, the multi-stage process was extremely competitive throughout. Applications were intensively evaluated by experienced United Way staff and more than 70 experts from outside the organization. A committee of business and nonprofit-sector leaders oversaw the process and in June 2008 recommended to the United Way Board of Directors funding for a three year period for 138 agencies. The Board announced more than $11 million in grants of general operating support and the funding was granted in July 2008. Through these grants United Way was able to invest in a significantly greater number of organizations than we were able to fund in the past. The process supports more of the agencies, programs and initiatives that are addressing needs in counties both in and around the Philadelphia area.

Accountability is key, so awarding funding is just the beginning of the three year partnerships thru Investing in Results. To produce a meaningful evaluation of success, United Way is continually measuring results against specific, quantifiable targets. By delivering on this agenda, United Way is ensuring that donor dollars will be invested in achieving measurable results – through defined, evidence-based strategies for change – that will achieve lasting solutions to a tightly focused set of pressing problems in our region. United Way has continued to provide funding for a safety net of basic services across the region and to invest in capacity-building efforts that will strengthen the nonprofit community as a whole.

Now that we have selected the partners who will demonstrate the best ability to deliver measurable results for our agenda, United Way is set to report on the success of our investments and strategies with collective results against specific, quantifiable goals and objectives. The investments are for a three year cycle and the results reported are for year one.

Moving forward, our reporting on results will be extensive and ongoing. It is important that your trust in United Way is rewarded with programs that deliver measurable impact and measurable results.