UNITED WAY OF KENNEBEC VALLEY

United Way raises money from community members and corporations/businesses to support 51 nonprofit programs in Kennebec Valley. United Way's strategy is to invest raised funds in four priority areas: health care, basic needs, youth/education, and financial stability. Each year, a volunteer-led Allocations Committee determines how funds will be distributed to nonprofit programs that are in good standing with United Way. United Way requests that all nonprofit programs submit annual or biennial applications for funding, receive a site visit for review, and make a presentation to the Allocations Committee. This process ensures that money donated to United Way is spent in the most effective manner to support vital causes in the Kennebec Valley.

United Way of Kennebec Valley has a very strong Board of Directors, comprised of individuals from virtually every sector of the community. The Board guides United Way's overall work, which is supported by a staff of three full-time employees and one part-time employee. United Way has been in operation since 1955, during which time it has grown its fundraising capacity to $1.7 million annually. The positive trend of a growing campaign continues: in 2019, United Way raised the most money it has ever collected to distribute to its 51 partner programs. Collectively, staff have more than 80 years of experience in the nonprofit field.

United Way measures progress in a variety of ways. One of our largest indicators of progress is the amount of money that we raise in a given campaign cycle, which impacts the dollars we are able to use to support community programs. Each year, we collect data from our 51 partner programs to determine how many local people have been helped with the direct support of United Way. This data also indicates how many people were helped based on town of residence. In addition, we gauge our progress based on how many new partner programs we can accept each year as applications are received. When we increase our fundraising dollars, we are able to consider new applications for nonprofit membership.

In 2020, we will raise the most money that we have ever raised in support of our 51 partner programs. We are certainly progressing as a nonprofit organization and are exploring new business partnerships at all times. In 2019, we added three new partner programs as United Way member organizations: an arts-based after school program at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Foster Grandparent program with Penquis and Capital Area New Mainers Project.