Program areas at United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties
Donor Choice Program - Our local United Way is committed to supporting philanthropy and the ongoing viability of local nonprofits by continuing to offer safe, convenient donor-designated gift options. In 2022, 270 Non-Profit Organizations received designated contributions through our Donor Choice Program. Before distributing designated gifts, United Way screens each organization to verify compliance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and USA Patriot Act.
Community Solutions- Since 2006, our United Way has been engaging community leaders, as well as the community, in regional health and human services planning and implementation processes. To help our nonprofit community continue to be healthy and service local needs in 2022, we: 1) provided access to regional data for decision making through www.bentonfranklintrends.org; 2) increased local volunteerism through www.volunteertricities.org; 3) facilitated four community convenings-two focused on housing insecurity and two focused on mental and behavioral health; and 4) provided free coaching and professional development to staff and volunteers.
Attendance Matters -Our local United Way expanded a middle school mentoring program, in partnership with AmeriCorps, during the 2021-22 school year to serve 10 schools in 6 school districts. Over 250 chronically absent students were mentored and over 13,000 hours of direct support was provided in the schools. We recruited, trained, and deployed 18 AmeriCorps members in the fall of 2022 to support the mentoring program for the 2022-23 school year.
Community Impact Funding - United Way provides grants to local non-profit organizations to address critical service gaps for children and their parents. In 2022, United Way provided grants to support 17 programs to improve the health, education, and financial stability of 39,000 people in our community by partnering with 13 local non-profits. In addition, our local United Way facilitated the placement of $482,000 in FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter funds to support the expansion of services in 26 programs through 17 local nonprofits.