Working Together to Build a Better Community

What We Do

The needs of the Portland-Vancouver metro region are complex but there are solutions, and we all have a stake in making them happen:

• 12% of people in our region live under the federal poverty line.
• Over 314,000 people have no health insurance
• 47% of families receiving emergency food have at least one member working
• A third of ninth graders will not graduate from high school
• One in five children entering kindergarten lack the skills to learn successfully
• An estimated 10,000 people are homeless in our area; many have young children
• 79% of people with disabilities can and want to work; yet 71% are unemployed
• There were a record high 40 domestic violence fatalities in the region in 2010

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is founded on the simple premise: by acting together we can create positive change in the community that we could never achieve alone. We make this happen by using an investment strategy call Community Impact.

Community Impact is not the traditional style of charitable giving. While helping people with their needs today, it is also creating deep and lasting changes by addressing the three underlying elements that are the building blocks for successful lives and a successful community: education, income and health. A coordinated investment strategy that focuses in each of these areas is the most effective way to reduce poverty in our community.

Here’s why these areas are so important:

• A child who has adequate access to quality childcare, nutrition and health care will succeed in school and in life.
• Full time living wage employment with benefits is the key to long-term financial stability, prevention of homelessness and independence from social services.
• Access to quality health and mental health care prevents poverty, supports families and avoids costly use of emergency room services.

How We Do It

United Way raises and distributes millions of dollars each year. About half of the money goes to agencies chosen by donors and about half goes to the Community Impact Fund.

How you invest is as important as what you invest in. That is the foundation of the Community Impact model. The model creates the highest return on your investment because it is based on: data driven investment decisions, funding support of best practices to address complex community challenges, performance measurement, and accountability.

United Way works with Vision Council volunteers to identify the most effective strategies and collaborations of business, non profits and community leaders. The process starts with a thorough assessment of the community's needs, an analysis of best practices research, then rigorous competitive grant process that seeks out and funds the most effective programs and collaborations of non-profits, business and community leaders.

The Value of United Way's Funding Model

Through the Community Impact model, United Way has created a high-yield investment vehicle to make positive change in our community. United Way volunteers and staff function as investment brokers who are experts in assessment of community needs, funding trends analysis, program development and evaluation. All of this expertise comes together to ensure that strategic decisions are made on behalf of United Way donors that will provide maximum benefit to the community, guarantee a return on investment and support long-term systems change. This occurs through a strong commitment to collaboration, accountability and results which are the foundation of the Community Impact model.