United Way invests nearly $1.4 million to benefit Kern County residents

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – July 14, 2006 – United Way of Kern County today announced it will invest $1,399,350 in health and human services programs throughout the county over the next 12 months. More than $907,000 of that will benefit 40 local programs delivered by UWKC’s funded partners, while another $492,000 will benefit 250 health and human services agencies as designated by United Way donors.

Program funding for 2006-07 represents the second year of a two-year commitment to United Way funded partners. Thanks to the generosity of Kern County residents and corporations, UWKC’s overall 2005-06 campaign was up 11 percent from last year, enabling it to meet funding commitments to partners without dipping into its reserve funds, as it had the previous two years.

For the past two years, United Way’s Governing Board elected to supplement the Community Impact Fund from its reserves to soften the impact the reduction in campaign dollars would have on direct services available in Kern County. More than $175,000 in reserve funds were used in 2004-05 and another $100,000 was tapped last year.

“Kern County proved once again what a caring community it is,” said Miriam Krehbiel, president of UWKC. “Through the generosity of our longtime supporters and a number of new donors, we were able to maintain funding levels for our partners and retain adequate reserve levels to safeguard future operations and allocations.”

Funding decisions were made after more than 30 volunteers spent more than 600 hours reviewing detailed information for each program requesting funding. These volunteers evaluated financial information, client data and outcomes measurements data, and met with agency representatives to determine if programs met the requirements for continued funding. The decisions, made entirely by these volunteers, were approved by UWKC’s Governing Board in June.

Community Impact Fund allocations by Area of Impact are as follows:

Basic Needs:                         $166,514

Special Needs:                        $29,680

Youth:                                    $238,357

Seniors:                                  $101,797

Health:                                   $122,764

Family Support:                     $190,350

Special Services                       $57,600  (Information and referral, volunteer support)

TOTAL                                   $907,062

In addition to direct financial investment, UWKC supports its partners and the community with other programs and resources, including:

• Professional Development Conference for Nonprofits:  An annual event that provides agencies with training and networking opportunities for a very nominal fee. Conference attendees take advantage of workshops that cover topics including resource development, media relations, risk assessment, board development, marketing, and others.
• Day of Caring: Matches teams of volunteers with agencies to complete vital projects. Whether it’s improving an agency’s facility by painting a room or providing manpower for special projects, this event provides much needed volunteer assistance, as well as an opportunity for agencies to develop relationships with potential donors. This year’s Day of Caring is scheduled for Sept. 9.
• Outcomes Measurements Training: While this training originated as a tool to assist agencies in completing funding proposals for UWKC, outcomes measurements reporting is now required by more and more foundations and funders. This training assists agencies in better tracking and documenting the outcomes necessary to secure funding from a variety of sources.
• One-on-One Assistance: United Way staff and board members are available to assist its partner agencies in various capacities when they are called upon. Whether it’s working with agency boards of directors to better utilize their talents to advance the cause of their agency, or helping an agency to find collaborative partners to start a new initiative, United Way is committed to the success of each of its partner agencies.

Beyond its role as a funder of programs, United Way of Kern County is active in a leadership capacity on several critical community issues.

• At the request of Mayor Harvey Hall, UWKC is a leader in a collaborative effort with the Kern County Homeless Collaborative and dozens of public, private and nonprofit sector organizations to develop a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
• As a partner in the Children’s Health Initiative, UWKC is working to enroll and retain nearly 20,000 uninsured children in low-cost health insurance programs.
• UWKC is working to bring 2-1-1 telephone information and referral service to Kern County and all of California. On the local level, United Way is partnering with Community Action Partnership of Kern and others to expand HelpLine into a comprehensive social service and crisis referral resource. UWKC President Miriam Krehbiel also serves on a statewide steering committee working to make 2-1-1 service available to all Californians.  

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