United Way of the CSRA 2007 Accomplishments:

With your help during 2007 we:

• Provided funding for over 60 community programs through an annual campaign of over $4.4 million. 

• Completed United Way of America’s 2007 Membership Standards Certification for accountability and transparency, supporting the findings of our auditor Elliott Davis, who reported a clean audit for the 2006 calendar year..

• Increased The Tocqueville Society membership from 25 to 31, under the leadership of Mr. E. G. Meybohm and the Steering Committee.

• In conjunction with The Community Foundation of the CSRA, established a local women’s philanthropy effort, Women in Philanthropy, to create a legacy of giving for women in our community.  Recruited 30 founding members who will launch the initiative in March 2008.

• Established a partnership with Nicholson Revell, LLP, to expand and promote the Born Learning® early childhood development initiative.   Collaborated with a number of area organizations and events to distribute resource guidance and educational materials to teahers, parents, and other caregivers. 

• Applied for and secured the most grants ever received within a year in United Way's history.

• Streamlined the Community Investment funding process by transitioning to a web-based system.

• Distributed Caring Club discount cards to over 4,000 donors and doubled the number of Participating Merchants.

• Launched the United Way Youth Bracelet Project, sponsored by Merrill Lynch, to encourage and educate the youth in our public schools about rhe importance of charitable giving and community involvement to bring about positive changes in the CSRA.

• Implemented Outcome-Based Evaluation by hosting training for United Way’s staff, partner agencies, and potential Kroc Center agency partners in conjunction with The Salvation Army.  Outcomes measurement will provide enhanced accountability and reporting of funded programs in the future.

• Collaborated with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Inc. to provide an Online Foundation Directory as part of a Nonprofit Resource Center at United Way.

• Launched an eNewsletter, what matters®, and published four quarterly issues to over 3,000 recipients.

• Improved operational efficiency by establishing strategic partnerships with: American Audio-Visual Services, Inc.; Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Company; Georgia Bank & Trust Company; Georgia Power Company; Kicks 99; Merrill Lynch; Moretz Production Service, Inc.; Nicholson Revell, LLP; Pecans Unlimited, Inc.; Phoenix-Commercial Printers, Inc.; Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company; Publix Super Markets; Quebecor; Southern Nuclear Operating Company; University Health Care System; U. S. Department of Energy; WAGT NBC 26; Washington Savannah River Company; and WRDW News 12.

“Did You Know”… 

In addition to providing funding for 60 programs in 19 partner agencies in 2007, did you know that United Way also:

• Hosted United Way’s day-of-caring, Project Serve, where over 175 volunteers from local companies completed projects at 13 nonprofit agencies throughout the CSRA.  Thse activities allowed the agencies to accomplish much-needed maintenance projects that they would otherwise could not afford.  This event was sponsored by Gwen Fulcher Young & Associates Real Estate Company and CSRA Business Lending.

• Collaborated with several community organizations to create an Online Clearinghouse System for Christmas Assistance, ensuring that over 13,000 individuals in need received help.  The Clearinghouse also helps eliminate duplication of services from multiple organizations. 

• Provided health and human service information and referrals to more than 10,328 callers through the United Way 2-1-1 Call Center and expanded the 2-1-1 staff and marketing efforts.

• Oversaw the distribution of over $133,000 of Emergeny Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds for Richmond County.  This funding will provide food, shelter and supportive services for the hungry, homeless, and people in economic crisis in our community.  

• Received a three-year renewal federal grant ($312,000) from the Corporation for National and Community Service to serve as the coordinating agency for 13 AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America) members who will provide support for 11 host non-profit organizations. 

•Received funding ($49,500) from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to implement a community outreach program, transportation program, vouchers-for-shelter program, and homeless prevention program to assist with homeless issues for Augusta-Richmond County.

•Secured funding from the North Georgia United Methodist Housing & Homeless Council in support of United Way's 2-1-1 Faith-Based Initiative to help track homeless services for the rural areas.  This funding will be used to help expand the resources available to 2-1-1 callers as well as increase the visibility of 2-1-1 in the faith-based community.

• Conducted a Housing Stability (Homeless) Assessment in McDuffie County in partnership with the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless and the McDuffie County Planning Commission.

We would like to thank you, our donors and volunteers, for your continuing support and dedication to our community.  Together, we can get results that no one can accomplish alone.  We can make a more personal and comprehensive approach that changes people’s lives for the long term.   In 2008, look for more great things to come from your United Way.