2008-2011 Human Care Investment Strategy

In preparation for the 2008 – 2011 Community Program Fund allocation cycle, the Community Impact Division facilitated a process to assist United Way volunteer leadership in identifying United Way of Central New York’s areas of investment and the investment percentages to be assigned to each area.  To that end, information on United Way identified critical community issue areas, gathered through the following research components, was synthesized, analyzed and presented to volunteers:

• Performed a Vision Area scan – reaching out to community experts.  (Completed March 2007)
• Collection and analysis of community data – targeting consumers of services.  (Completed April 2007)
• Collection and analysis of key constituent data – surveying United Way’s donor population.  (Completed March 2007)
• Collection and review of selected Onondaga County statistical data.

United Way Community Assessment Report (pdf) Vision Areas and Outcomes (pdf) [Documents are in pdf format.  To learn more about pdf click here]

The intent of this project was to gather information and perceptions on United Way identified areas of community interest from a variety of stakeholders in order to assist volunteers in decision-making.  Knowledge Systems & Research Inc. (KS&R) completed and analyzed the community expert and consumer components of this research.  Additional statistical data, as well as a 2006/07 local donor survey completed by United Way of Central New York were also integral to United Way’s decision making and understanding of the local human service environment and needs.  If you would like a copy of the local donor survey, please contact Angela Soon Tiby at 428.3941.

Timeline
United Way’s Human Care Investment Strategy 2008 – 2011 is the culmination of 12 months of discussion, analysis, evaluation and decision-making involving 53 community volunteers, 115 community issue area experts, 1249 individual donors and community members, KS&R and United Way staff.  The decisions made and the information gathered will go on to inform and guide the more than 100 community volunteers who will participate in the 2008 Community Program Fund Allocations Process.

United Way of Central New York Vision Areas
United Way employs the five Vision Areas to allow us to take a holistic approach to addressing issues and serving populations. At the same time, the articulation of five distinct Vision Areas allows United Way to communicate its complex work to donors and the public.

The 2008 – 2011Human Care Investment Strategy identified standardized outcomes for each of the Vision Areas. These outcomes were identified through an analysis of outcomes measured by currently funded United Way programs, identified through best-practice research and/or measured by other community funders.  The standardization of Vision Area outcomes will enable data to be aggregated across programs in order to enhance United Way’s ability to demonstrate community change and express that change to donors.

Programs applying for funding will be required to choose at least one outcome from our defined set of outcomes for each Vision Area, while expressing the uniqueness of the program with up to two additional program-defined outcomes (maximum of three outcomes per program).