DENTON, TX (April 5, 2018) – The United Way of Denton County (UWDC) Board of Directors approved the organization’s 2018-2019 operating budget at their March meeting, continuing the dual strategy of supporting Partner Agencies and leading Collective Impact Initiatives to serve vulnerable populations in a growing Denton County.
“The goal of United Way of Denton County is to work together with businesses, governments and nonprofits to implement solutions to the growing needs in our county and ultimately improve the lives of our neighbors,” stated Lyle Dresher, UWDC Board Chair.
The approved budget includes more than $900,000 in Community Investment grants to Partner Agencies as proposed by the Community Investment Committee. Each year these trained volunteers evaluate Partner Agency funding relationships to assure UWDC donors’ investments continue to fund organizations and programs that align with UWDC’s strategic focus areas identified by key findings in the 2017 Community Needs Assessment. The review process also evaluates each organization in the areas of efficiency, strategic goal setting and implementation, return on investment, fiscal management, fundraising strategy, and board oversight/governance. UWDC Partner Agencies are held to the highest standards.
“The dedication demonstrated by the Community Investment Committee was crucial to assuring United Way be good stewards of the funds entrusted by the people of Denton County,” praised Laura Behrens, Community Investment Committee Chair. “These 16 volunteers contributed valuable time and effort to evaluating grant applications, visiting each of the 19 partner agencies, asking effective questions, and making practical observations during our day of evaluation and deliberation.”
Being a UWDC partner agency does not only involve funds. Throughout the year, Partner Agencies receive valuable guidance, support, and resources such as crisis management, staff and board development, and networking opportunities.
UWDC 2018-2019 Partner Agencies are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, Boy Scouts of America-Longhorn Council, Camp Sweeney, Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County, Communities In Schools of North Texas, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Denton County, Denton Christian Preschool, Denton City County Day School, Denton County Friends of the Family, Fred Moore Day Nursery School, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Giving HOPE, Health Services of North Texas, Interfaith Ministries of Denton, Pilot Point Goodfellows, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Salvation Army Denton Corps, Special Abilities of North Texas, and SPAN Transit & Meals On Wheels.
“These outstanding nonprofits understand the benefit of collaboration on a level which delivers integrated services in a client-focused manner with the goal of moving people out of crisis and into stability,” said Gary Henderson, CEO of United Way of Denton County.
In addition to Partner Agency grants, the UWDC volunteer governing board approved significant funding to continue the fight against complex socioeconomic problems throughout Denton County as identified in the 2017 Community Needs Assessment. UWDC continues to serve as the backbone organization spearheading collective impact initiatives to positively impact children and families, Veterans, housing stability/homelessness, and overall health/mental health.
