United Way follows an old American custom when it comes to distributing funds—let the people decide.

Compassionate, trained volunteers channel funds to specific programs provided by United Way partner agencies through a fund distribution (allocations) process. Difficult choices must be made when deciding how much money to allocate for different services as there is always greater need for funds than United Way can provide.

A system of checks and balances ensures the allocations process is fair and consistent. An allocation recommendation must pass through three levels of volunteer review before being accepted.

Recommendations are based on several agency review criteria including: budget analysis; financial accountability; service effectiveness; management effectiveness; and how the agency meets the needs of the community.

About 125 allocations volunteers serve on committees, known as Community Solution Teams, which devote more than 3,000 hours reviewing partner agency programs and budgets to determine how best to distribute contributions made to United Way of Broome County. Agencies receive monthly allocations from United Way.

Here is a schedule of the year-round process:

March/April

New Community Solution Team members are recruited and trained during formal orientation.

September/October

Training and process review for new Community Solution Team members.

November/December

Agencies meet with Community Solution Team members to present their proposed budgets and make their request for United Way funding for the following year.

December/January

Community Solution Teams meet to develop recommendations for funding specific programs at partner agencies, if they believe these programs are worthy of  United Way funding.

January/February

Community Solution Team recommendations are: presented to the Community Impact Cabinet (CIC) for review and then to United Way of Broome County’s Board of Directors for final approval.

March

United Way begins monthly distribution of funds to partner agencies. Funding goes to specific programs at partner agencies, rather than the agency’s overall budget. This helps direct funding to priority needs and prevent duplication of services in the community.

For organizations that cover more than one county, United Way of Broome County provides funding only for their activities within Broome County.