How does United Way invest funds raised from the annual campaign?
United Way of the Lakeshore's community investment process focuses resources and relies on local expertise to provide solutions to critical education, income and health issues facing people in the Lakeshore area. Our funding model is built on our base of volunteers and workplace campaign donors to strategically invest in health and human service agency partners that demonstrate collaboration, efficiency and effective use of resources with measurable results through targeted programs and service delivery. Dollars raised in a particular county are used to fund projects in only that county. Click Here To View Our Community Invested Programs!
Community Investment Volunteer
Can't remember your login? Contact Wyneice Hairston today at wyneice@unitedwaylakeshore.org or call (231) 332-4017.
Important Reminders & Dates:
Your panel would meet on the following dates:
- Childhood Success (April 23, May 14)
- Youth Success (April 25, May 16)
- Housing (April 9, May 7)
- Financial Coaching/Transportation (April 11, May 9)
- Access to Care/Healthy Lifestyles (April 30, May 21)
- Mental Health/Domestic Violence (May 2, May 23)
First meetings will run from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Second meetings will run from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tools That Can Help You!
Volunteer Evaluation Rubric - The rubric needed to evaluate the program applications you are reading. This document outlines the criteria needed for different point evaluations.
Appendix A - Outcome Measurements - In this document, we outline the appropriate outcomes for each impact area.
Community Data Booklet - A comprehensive overview of community statistics in our different impact areas. This booklet is not necessary for you to complete your evaluation, but is relevant to what our community needs are.
Financial Review Team Evaluation Spreadsheet - This document is only for the use of a specially trained volunteer known as a Financial Reviewer.
Join a volunteer panel in your area of interest and expertise!
The Community Investment Process offers comprehensive training to volunteers before they hear presentations about local programs, then make recommendations on grant investments to our Board of Directors. Each panel consists of a blend of returning and new volunteers, chaired by an Impact Team Leader.
- Childhood Success: (School Readiness, Early Literacy, Childcare Supports)
- Youth Success: (Chronic Absenteeism, Family Engagement)
- Economic Mobility | Housing
- Economic Mobility | Financial Coaching & Transportation
- Healthy Families | Access to Care, Healthy Lifestyles
- Healthy Families | Mental Health, Domestic Violence
December 13: Agency presentation on new priorities and to hold dates for the new cycle.
Letter of Intent:
January 1: Letter of Intent Opens (Runs through January 15)
January 15: Letter of Intent Closes
February 2: Agencies are notified if they are moving on to the full application.
Grant Application:
TBD - Early February: Agencies are trained on the system and grant application.
February 12: Grant Applications Open – Agencies undergo the certification process & the full grant application.
March 8: Grants CLOSE
Volunteer Training:
Volunteer Trainings: Volunteers must attend one (1) unless a returning volunteer. Returning volunteers are HIGHLY encouraged to attend for priority updates.
March 12: Volunteer Training | Morning 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Tentative
March 13: Volunteer Training | Afternoon 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Tentative
March 14: Volunteer Training | Evening 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
March 16: Special Weekend Training for Students or Final Attendees (Time TBD)
Grant Evaluations:
Month of April (Early May) Initial Read Scores:
April 9: Economic Mobility Panel 1 Meets
April 11: Economic Mobility Panel 2 Meets
Second Week of April Skipped for Heroes Celebration
April 23: Childhood Success Panel Meets
April 25: Youth Success Panel Meets
April 30: Healthy Families Panel 1 Meets
May 2: Healthy Families Panel 2 Meets
Month of May Agency Presentations:
May 7: Economic Mobility Panel 1 Meets
May 9: Economic Mobility Panel 2 Meets
May 14: Childhood Success Panel Meets
May 16: Youth Success Panel Meets
May 21: Healthy Families Panel 1 Meets
May 23: Healthy Families Panel 2 Meets
Final Wrap-Ups:
June 5: Community Impact Strategy Team Meets and Gives Recommendations by Panels
June 25: Board Meets to Approve Recommendations
June 27: Celebration Breakfast | Announcement of Finals to the Panelists, & Thank You
VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION
Community Impact volunteers are instrumental in deciding how the money our community invests in United Way of the Lakeshore will have the greatest impact. We need your help as a valuable decision-maker.
Our mission is to help working families thrive. Our bold goal is to help 10,000 more working families being able to meet their basic needs. We focus on three priority areas: Education, Health, and Income. We bring together a comprehensive panel in each focus area to review data and make informed funding decisions.
The panels consist of a blend of returning and new volunteers chaired by an Impact Team Leader. For consistency and continuity, we ask new panel members to serve a minimum of two years. You will join one panel and can expect to dedicate a total of 10-12 hour during the spring including training and two meetings.
Scheduled training will educate you about United Way’s community-level goals. Your volunteering will include time to read funding applications, ask questions, score, and hear agency presentations.
Join us for this important opportunity to create solutions and a real impact in your community. Sign up today by filling out the enclosed Panel Volunteer Application Form Please contact Wyneice Hairston, Community Impact Manager by email at wyneice@unitedwaylakeshore.org or phone at (231) 332-4017, if you have any questions.
VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- TIME REQUIREMENT: 10-12 HOURS
- ATTEND ONE TRAINING DURING CYCLE PARTICIPATE IN AGENCY TOURS (OPTIONAL)
- ATTEND A PROGRAM EVALUATION MEETING AND AGENCY PRESENTATION COMPLETE EVALUATION FORMS
- PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS MAKE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
VOLUNTEER SKILLS NEEDED:
- INTEREST IN OUR LAKESHORE HUMAN SERVICES AND NEEDS
- ANALYTICAL SKILLS
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND FINANCIAL DATA CONFIDENTIALITY
