INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — United Way of Indian River County is once again set to provide significant funding to improve education, financial stability and health in this community.
“Thanks to the amazing philanthropy we experience here in Indian River County, we are engaging the community to set vision and priorities, working together to reach community goals,” said Michael Kint, United Way CEO.
In recent years, United Way has undergone dramatic shifts in how it works to serve communities. The historic “United Fund” has transformed from having a broad charitable mission into a change agent focused on community impact.
“We are more focused and outcome driven than ever before”, said Susan Adams, United Way Board Chair. “The funding we will invest in this community in 2016-2017 is designed to show measurable progress in the areas of education, financial stability and health, what we call the ‘building blocks for a good life.’”
United Way is a volunteer driven organization. From convening constituencies around local issues, to evaluating critical program services, to raising significant funds, volunteers do it all. Led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, the group that finally makes funding decisions, the United Way is unique in its use of community members to do the work and make the choices that are appropriate for Indian River County.
The United Way of Indian River County Community Investment for 2016-2017 includes support of programs and initiatives in the following categories:
Education – $812,500
Financial Stability – $225,000
Health – $715,000
Community Support – $225,500
Donor Designated Funds – $124,000
United Way Center (Nonprofit office/conference space) – $73,500
Familywize Prescription Savings (leveraged) – $440,000
Volunteer Income Tax Preparation/Returns (leveraged) – $713,000
Investments totaled $3,328,500.
United Way does the critical but largely invisible work required to reach community goals – we recruit people to the cause, get commitments for action, and pull together the expertise and resources that get it done. For more information about United Way or to give online, visit our website at UnitedWayIRC.org. United Way of Indian River County invites people to get involved by helping others. Go to VolunteerIndianRiverCounty.org to learn about local opportunities for service.