It’s that time of year again. Time when the inevitable questions are asked as to whether United Way of Snohomish County is meeting its fund-raising objectives. I understand why the questions are asked – raising money to support a wide variety of nonprofit organizations is an important part of United Way’s mission. But there is a larger question to consider, namely: “How is United Way doing in achieving its community impact agenda?”
You see, United Way does much more than just raise money. The organization is strategically focused to create real and lasting change in Snohomish County.
This year, United Way marks the first anniversary of its Vision Councils. These volunteer councils are composed of corporate leaders, experts in health and human services, and people from all sectors of the community. Together, the council members are studying the pressing issues facing our county and focusing their best thinking around creative ways to solve them.
The Vision Councils are making great strides in meeting the mandate set by the United Way board of directors a year ago. Through hard work and collaboration, the councils are creating a community where:
* All infants, children and youth are nurtured and provided with the opportunity to succeed in school, develop life skills and reach their full potential;
* All individuals and families have access to basic needs of food, shelter, health care and the opportunity to live independently and self-sufficiently;
* All communities have strong neighborhoods with vital support systems, high civic involvement, and growing volunteerism where diversity is valued and the well being of residents is achieved.
Our volunteer Vision Councils have so far invested more than $4 million in programs to help kids stay safe and succeed in life, to help families become more self-sufficient, and to bring our community together. Now, they are seeking ways to develop long-term solutions using United Way’s strengths: good relationships with workplaces, effective partnerships with civic leaders and agencies meeting immediate needs, and the vision to seek creative answers and the will to act upon them.
Of course, United Way’s proven ability for fund raising is still important. To improve people’s lives, we need resources. I firmly believe that donors can give with even greater confidence knowing that United Way is focused on what matters: results. However, the success of our mission and the vitality of our community depend on more than financial resources. Volunteers and a network of key corporate and community partners are other essential resources.
Today, United Way is developing innovative partnerships that are bringing new financial resources to Snohomish County, such as federal dollars and matching grants. These new partnerships are helping people move from needing assistance to giving back to their community.
Initiatives like Success By 6 are helping thousands of young children succeed in school and in life. Our Volunteer Center, and soon the 2-1-1 information line, connect people with the right resources in the community – and people who want to help with those who have need.
In short, United Way is working all year long to raise the financial and non-financial resources needed to ultimately achieve our goals.
On Thursday evening, we’ll announce our results to those companies and key volunteers who have worked so hard this past year to raise the financial resources needed to achieve our impact agenda. The next day, we’ll announce the results to the community. Please visit our Web site (www.uwsc.org) on Friday to see our campaign accomplishments and community total.
Our success depends not only on raising resources, but also on strategically applying them to the essential problems facing Snohomish County. Directed by our Vision Councils, this critical work continues, and we invite you to keep asking the critical question: “What is United Way doing to make a positive impact in our community?”
Because after all, what matters is not how much money we raised. What matters is improving the lives of kids, the strength of families and the health of our community.
John Gustafson is the board chairman of United Way of Snohomish County and external affairs director for Verizon Northwest.
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