United Way announces 2017-2019 Funding Decisions
The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (UWBEC) today announced $4,587,000 in yearly funding in support of their 2017-2019 investment cycle; contingent upon the outcome of the 2016 fundraising campaign. Through a competitive procurement process 101 programs across 58 nonprofits will receive $4,232,750. The remaining $354,250 has been slated for essential services (including Disaster Relief, 211 WNY, and Labor Services) for a total community allocation of $4,587,000.
The allocated funding represents a sharpened focus on priority areas as identified during a strategic planning process in the organization’s three platform areas of Education, Financial Stability and Health & Wellness, with an increased emphasis on prevention and early intervention services for young children, aged birth to 8, and their families.
The 2017-2019 funding cycle begins July 1st and several local nonprofits will receive United Way funding for the first time in response to priority areas. Additionally, 14 new programs will receive funding and 30 currently supported programs will see an increase in their allocation for the first time in six years. UWBEC also increased the total amount of funding available to nonprofit agencies overall by $54,000 - the first increase in overall allocations in six years.
According to Michael Weiner, President and CEO of UWBEC commented, “After a very deliberate, thoughtful, and transparent process involving staff, our board and with community input, we have shifted our priorities to focus on programs that can help our youngest children get a strong start in life. We know from research and the success of past programs that support children at an early age generates lasting impact throughout their lives. We believe that a focus on young children and their families in our core platform areas will allow is to have the greatest impact and is a wise investment in our community’s future.”
Organizations that sought funding were measured against more than two dozen established criteria including those in program type, population served, program design, staff and budget with particular emphasis on program performance and measurement against UWBEC priorities.
Click here to see the full list of agencies.