United Way of Lake County

We are aiming to be the entrusted champion that drives improved outcomes in our community by funding services that impact education, income, and financial stability. Our Board of Directors has set that as our vision over the next three years, which also coincides with our in-process strategic plan development. We want to help build a strong, sustainable, community for all generations.

We are going to grow our capacity to raise more funds and increase revenue. We can do that by cultivating new donors who will choose United Way of Lake County as their way to give back on a long-term basis, establish a baseline of new, young and diverse investors, and grow active participation, volunteerism, and involvement. We want to broaden and strengthen our outreach within the community so we can continue to grow our capacity for serving our community as a hub and trusted convener. We will increase our awareness and presence in the community. We have to communicate market relevance and value so our donors can easily answer the question, "Why should I give to the United Way? We will be accountable and transparent in all financial, grant making and operational matters. We will strive to be a local model for best nonprofit management in full compliance with all local, state, federal, and United Way Worldwide standards and requirements.

We have a Resource Development Committee that functions year-round and governs all aspects related to revenue generation. We will increase the number of leadership givers and the dollars they give, which will be led by a Leadership Committee. We will have a set structure as to how our affinity groups should operate. We will utilize the available tools and resources that United Way Worldwide affords to us. We will develop success indicators for our programs which will serve as metrics and guidance for program funding levels. Our marketing efforts will be more focused by leaning on a strong Marketing Committee, and gauging the public interest and knowledge of our United Way through research and surveys. We will develop a financial dashboard that will help keep the Board and leadership knowledgeable of where we stand on a financial basis, which will include providing an ROI analysis for our special events and other efforts. We will strive to optimize our financial and technological resources to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible.

We are in the active stages of following our strategic plan that identified the objectives listed above, along with several others that will help lead United Way of Lake County to be the community hub and trusted convener for creating measurable results for education, income, and health programs. We have developed, and are developing, committees that will help staff oversee each objective and lend their expertise in order to accomplish our goals. We are in the midst of a campaign where we've noticed new donors coming on board, both individuals and companies, with United Way of Lake County by donating for the first time, or existing donors increasing their gifts. This will help us when it comes time for our volunteers to decide how the program funding will be allocated, which will adhere to our strategic objectives of making sure results and measurable impact are being made. We are implementing a new funding model that will allow us to fund programs that align with our new specific goals to increase kindergarten readiness, increase access to healthcare services, and help our residents become financially self-sustaining.