United Way: Announces 2010-2011 funding allocations

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Betsy Rourke – 414.263.8111

Maressa Sullivan – 414.263.8132

(Milwaukee, Wis., July 26, 2010) – United Way of Greater Milwaukee has announced its allocations for its partner agencies during the 2010-2011 funding cycle, effective July 1, 2010.

United Way will invest over $22 million from its community fund, with more than $19.7 million going to agency program delivery partners.

Investing in over 160 programs at 80-plus agencies, United Way serves a wide spectrum of individuals and families from diverse ethnic backgrounds, supporting people through all of life’s stages. United Way has made significant increases to programs addressing food security and homelessness for this funding cycle, adding Centro Legal as its newest partner agency. For a complete list of agency program partners, visit http://www.unitedwaymilwaukee.org.

“The number of people who need help continues to put a strain on Greater Milwaukee’s resources. That is why for the third year United Way has also set aside $200,000 for the Urgent Need Fund,” said Ed Zore, retired CEO of Northwestern Mutual and United Way of Greater Milwaukee chairman of the board. “The extra support helps our agency partners with critical needs they may have, so they can continue to provide services that thousands of people rely on.”

In addition, United Way will invest an estimated $200,000 in its Opportunity Fund, which is open to partners with new programs that were not previously funded and non-partners for special community events.

Funding decisions are based on annual program results. To ensure ongoing results and efficiency, United Way monitors funded programs throughout the year. Designations to United Way member agencies are paid out separately from and in addition to regular United Way funding.

Overall, United Way will invest more than $39 million into the community during the 2010-2011 cycle, including more than $17 million in donor designations to specific agencies. United Way forwards donor designations to approved agencies. Agencies, including United Way program delivery partners, may use donor designations at their discretion and use is not subject to United Way monitoring of programmatic results or financial stewardship. Designations are, however, counted as part of the United Way campaign.

United Way raised more than $45 million during the 2009 Community Campaign. The difference between the amount raised and projected community investment includes uncollectible pledges, in-kind/sponsorship dollars, as well as fundraising and administrative costs.

United Way operates at a high rate of efficiency, investing almost 90 cents of every dollar raised into community problem solving. This far exceeds the 65-percent minimum considered acceptable for a nonprofit to be living up to its mission.

About United Way of Greater Milwaukee: United Way of Greater Milwaukee has been fulfilling its mission of strengthening lives for over 100 years by investing in the community’s most critical issues. This year, United Way of Greater Milwaukee will help hundreds of thousands of people. United Way of Greater Milwaukee is recognized as one of the most highly efficient charities both locally and nationally by the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin and Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest nonprofit watchdog organization. Follow United Way of Greater Milwaukee on Twitter: http://twitter.com/UnitedWayMilw.