Dear editor,
United Way of Santa Rosa’s board of directors and staff members have some good news to share.
First, UWSR’s annual Santa Rosa workplace campaign pledge numbers are on the rise. For 2015, pledges are anticipated to total approximately $450,000. This amount surpasses the $400,000 campaign pledge goal set for the year. The $100,000 estimated growth is approximately 28 percent higher than pledges received in 2014.
Campaign funds raised in Santa Rosa remain in Santa Rosa to serve the community and help support UWSR’s key initiatives which include health, education, and income stability.
Second, in addition to annually funding designated gifts; providing direct community services and programs; operating the First Call for Help hotline; meeting operating expenses; etc., UWSRC provides annual funding to 14 Santa Rosa community service agencies. To determine how funds will be allocated to the 14 agencies, earlier this month, a group of community-minded Santa Rosa professionals and residents participated in the annual UWSR Community Investment Panel. Participants spent an entire day working together to interview agencies applying for 2016 funding.
Each agency made a presentation and answered panelist’s questions. The panelists then met and reviewed financial data provided, discussed presentations, and deliberated to create a recommended funds-distribution budget. UWSR staff then reviewed the recommendations and a report was presented to UWSR’s board of directors at the April 7, 2016 board meeting for final approval.
These Santa Rosa service agencies are approved for funding: The ARC of the Emerald Coast; American Red Cross of Northwest Florida; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida; Council on Aging of West Florida; Covenant Care (formerly known as Alzheimer’s Services); Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County; Epilepsy Resource Center; Family Resource Program of Santa Rosa; FavorHouse of Northwest Florida; Feeding the Gulf Coast (formerly known as Bay Area Food Bank); Good Samaritan Clinic (founded by Interfaith Ministries); Santa Rosa Community Clinic; Santa Rosa Kids’ House; and YMCA of Northwest Florida.
Due to increased pledge numbers received from the 2015 UWSR workplace campaign, more than half of the agencies will receive an average increase of 11 percent for 2016, with some receiving significant increases over last year. For agencies to apply for and receive funding from UWSR, each must provide services to Santa Rosa residents and fulfill needs in areas of health, education and income stability. Additionally, agencies must show proof of positive financial responsibility and compliance.
After receiving funding notification from UWSR, many of the agencies become qualified and eligible to apply for and receive multiple federal, state and corporate grants and matching dollars.
Congratulations to all the agencies. UWSR’s board of directors and staff thank the Santa Rosa and the Community Investment Panel participants for supporting UWSR and this important agency funding effort.
DEBRA BAEZ
Milton
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: LETTER: Growing United Way campaign increases Santa Rosa service agency gifts