Community Impact FAQ

What is Community Impact?

Community impact is defined as “Improving lives by mobilizing communities to create lasting changes in community conditions.” The first two parts of the definition come directly from our mission, that is: “To improve the lives of people in Monmouth County by mobilizing the caring power of our community.” The third part of the definition- creating lasting changes in community conditions -points out the fundamental shift in strategy that is involved in the move to community impact.

Why did UWMC undergo this transformation, why change?

UWMC has entered into this transformation with a tremendous amount of consideration. Transformation isn’t easy. Throughout our history, UWMC has evolved to reflect changes in the community…from supporting member agencies for general operations (from late1960’s to mid 1990’s) to funding directed towards specific programs (mid 1990’s to 2009) to now investing resources based on achieving measurable impact. Through all of these changes, the core purpose of United Way has remained the same; to assist people in meeting human needs in the most effective way possible… “to improve lives”.

Now, our world is changing rapidly. In the space of a few decades, we’ve moved from a more local, industrial economy to global information and technology economy. Our investors are also increasingly challenging us for more measurable changes, real changes in community conditions. They are looking to us to raise the bar so everyone benefits. And most significantly, over the past year we have all experienced the reality of a widespread economic crisis. When resources are limited, we must focus our investments and efforts in order to have real impact.

When did this transformation begin?

In September 2006, UWMC participated in an online United Way of America (UWA) Self Assessment survey that evaluated how our local UW ranked according to the UWA Standards of Excellence. The UWA Standards of Excellence describe the benchmarks for a United Way being considered a Community Impact United Way. In January 2007, the UWMC Board formally appointed the Community Impact Ad Hoc Planning Committee to analyze the results of the Self Assessment and create a detailed action plan on how UWMC should change in order to increase its achievement of the UWA’s Standards of Excellence. Their report and plan were presented and approved at the March 2008 Board meeting. The subsequent Strategic Action Plan to implement the move to Community Impact was approved by the Board in June 2008.

What’s different about this approach?

The community impact model creates changes that strengthen communities and improve lives-changes that go beyond just meeting immediate, basic needs. It’s about getting at the root causes of community problems. It’s not enough to feed a hungry family—you have to address what made them hungry in the first place.

In order to create this type of change, UWMC has selected a limited number of key issues in the areas of Education, Income and Health and has developed specific strategies in each of those areas to invest resources that will lead to meaningful, measurable impact.

What resources will be invested?

Funding, volunteers, collaboration, advocacy and public education are all key resources that will be invested in specific, targeted strategies to create impact. The conditions stated above show that the world has changed, and today’s problems take more than just money—they require collective community action. To that end, we need to ensure we utilize opportunities to mobilize both the financial and non-financial assets that are available in our communities.

How will UWMC’s Resources Investment process change?

Investment of resources, including funding, will be directed by the strategies and objectives indentified in the Education, Income and Health Impact plans. In order to create lasting and measurable change, UWMC must take a comprehensive approach to community investments. This will include investing resources in activities UWMC has traditionally supported, such as basic needs and prevention programs. The new part of the investment strategy will encompass ways to create changes in the attitudes, behaviors and community conditions that surround and affect individuals and families; changes that address the root causes of the targeted community issues.

How does Community Impact affect UWMC’s role as a community fundraiser?

Community fundraising through the processing of donor designations to any 501c3 nonprofit organization will continue to be a mainstay of our work. Last year, $890,776 was directed to 438 nonprofit agencies for operational support through donor designations.

Who was involved in this transformation?

A wide spectrum of the Monmouth County community was engaged in the process through a range of opportunities for input and involvement. In total, 217 individuals participated in the online Community Leaders Survey and over 100 individuals participated in the facilitated focus group discussions. These individuals represented expertise in the areas of Education, Income and Health as well as perspectives from the business, media, government and nonprofit sectors.

Where do agencies fit in this new model?

Agencies are key partners in impact—the services they provide and the expertise that they bring to the table are essential to the success of any community impact effort. UWMC will also look to expand and diversify the partners it will work with and engage traditional partners in new ways. Most importantly, the relationship between UWMC and its agencies becomes more of a partnership for community impact, rather than a relationship predicated on a once a year financial transaction.

How was the Education, Income & Health Impact plans developed?

Three Impact Subcommittees were formed in the focus areas of Education, Income and Health to develop, implement and measure strategic investments of resources that will lead to sustainable, long term change within their respective focus areas driven by research, data and expertise. To this end, UWMC engaged in a comprehensive research endeavor. A Social & Demographic Report containing secondary data on key county demographic, education, income and health related statistics and trends was produced. Key stakeholders and community representatives shared their insights and perspectives through the online Community Leaders Survey and seven facilitated focus group discussions that were held in the areas of:

Diversity & Demographics, Education, Immigration, Income, Seniors, People with Disabilities and Health. Additional secondary and primary research was also conducted by the subcommittees, such as an Education Survey conducted with the Schools and Superintendents and a Basic Needs Survey conducted with the food panties and emergency service providers.

Using this information, each subcommittee then prioritized and selected a limited number of key issues on which to focus on. These determinations were made by examining and weighing the community importance of the issues coupled with the level of UWMC involvement appropriate to and necessary for achieving real impact. Specific objectives and strategies were then developed to address each targeted issue given the resources available.

How can I become involved in creating lasting change in the community?

Give, Advocate and Volunteer.

• Give-when you donate to UWMC your United Way contribution goes to work creating lasting changes right where you live and work. Click here to give now.
  
• Advocate-UWMC has formed a Public Policy Subcommittee to develop advocacy strategies in response to the Education, Income and Health Impact Plans. Join the UWMC Public Policy Listerv by sending an e-mail to policy-subscribe@uwmclistserv.org to stay informed and connected as a comprehensive public policy strategy is finalized.
  
• Volunteer-The UWMC Volunteer Center has so many ways you can give of your time and talent and advance the areas of Education, Income and Health in our community. Click here to get started.