Programs that are chosen to
receive funding will be required to sign a program funding agreement. An overview of the program funding agreement
will be shared alongside the award letter for programs who are chosen to receive
funding.
As a condition of receiving
funds from United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (UWBEC) for the period
beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025 our agency agrees to the
following:
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
- Certify charity is
registered and in compliance with reporting requirements of the NYS Attorney
General Charities Bureau and the Internal Revenue Service, and provide UWBEC
with audited financial statements, as required by the Charities Bureau, upon
request;
- Apply UWBEC funding
only to approved program(s) and deliver program(s) and service(s) as outlined
in its funding request;
- Operate UWBEC
funded program(s) and service(s), by policy and practice, without
discrimination to beneficiaries of services based on age, race, religion,
gender, economic status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual
orientation, culture, national origin, or other status protected by law;
- Retain any audited
year-end UWBEC funding surplus for appropriate use as authorized by its Board
of Directors and consistent with the program(s) and service(s) funded by UWBEC;
- Advise UWBEC in
writing of any extraordinary developments which may materially affect execution
of funded program(s) and service(s) (e.g. change in personnel) and secure
approval for any change in the use of UWBEC funds. Updates or anticipated changes to the program
will be shared with UWBEC Community Impact staff within thirty days. Requests for changes in how funds will be
spent must be sent to the program’s assigned UWBEC staff member for approval. See Appendix
C for guidelines;
- Attend required
meetings and provide information on the performance of UWBEC funded program(s),
including annual performance reporting, participation in annual site visits,
and/or financial audits, as directed by UWBEC staff and consistent with the
timetable and format set forth by UWBEC;
- Maintain an
up-to-date, accurate profile on 211WNY.org
& educate staff
- Marketing: An acknowledgement that the organization
receives UWBEC funding is communicated within your promotional items used for
the program including but not limited to website, annual report, flyers, news
releases, event programs, newsletters, and program specific banners or
posters. Promote undesignated giving to
the United Way campaign through social media, website, newsletters, special
communications to donors, or at your own workplace campaign to generate charitable
giving in support of community well-being.
- United Way Campaign: Run a United Way Campaign at your
workplace. Program funding is derived
from generous undesignated contributions from workplace donors throughout Erie
County. Click HERE
for additional information or contact April Lucey at april.lucey@uwbec.org.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to financial
support, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (UWBEC) provides various
opportunities for funded programs to engage with us, other funded programs, and
community members. Participating in
these opportunities is vital in demonstrating how generous undesignated
contributions from Erie County donors support funded programs and increases our
ability to support Buffalo & Erie County through our Community Impact
Platform.
Agencies of funded programs are required to
participate in one or more of the following partnerships and engagement opportunities:
21 Day Equity Challenge: Through broad community engagement, the WNY
21-Day Equity Challenge will increase awareness of critical issues and
strengthen our community’s capacity to dismantle all forms of racism. Self-directed learning opportunities will
encourage a deeper understanding of race, power, privilege, and leadership.
211 Western New
York (211 WNY): United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is
the lead organization for 211 WNY, a comprehensive source of information about
local resources and services. If you or
someone you know needs assistance, dial
211. The 2-1-1 helpline provides
health & human service referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has the
most up to date information on available resources, including housing, basic
needs, food assistance, free tax preparation, and more. Information
on organizations/programs can be updated by contacting 2-1-1 WNY.
Board Leadership Training: An online course designed to prepare students
for board service and introduce them to organizations that are looking for
board members. Board Leadership Training
has been streamlined to make it easier than ever to learn the fundamentals of
board leadership.
Business Meets Community: Our Business
Meets Community program connects company teams of employees with volunteer
opportunities at agencies. This is a
wonderful program to bring volunteers into your organization and to create new
relationships with corporate partners in our community. Contact Suzette O’Brien at suzette.obrien@uwbec.org
to get your agency involved.
CASH Coalition (Creating Assets,
Savings & Hope): Participate in
coalition work focused on a variety of proactive, community‐based
strategies including securing working family credits and other income supports
(including Earned Income, Education, and Child Tax Credits); improving the
coordination, reach, and consistency of local financial education programming;
supporting education and employment opportunities; and encouraging
homeownership and other asset development opportunities. Sign up HERE.
Community Baby Shower: Being a parent can be a challenge for
anyone. It can be even more difficult
for expectant parents who already struggle to make ends meet. You can welcome our newest community members
and provide valuable encouragement and support to new moms by participating in
this year's Community Baby Shower.
Day of Caring: Sign up for the Day
of Caring to get a half or full day of volunteers to work on your projects. Participants provide a wide range of
volunteer support, such as renovating community centers, revitalizing public
spaces, and providing professional assistance to local nonprofits and more. Check the website for registration updates.
Executive Edge: Executive Edge @ United Way is an exclusive
and innovative leadership program designed specifically for current nonprofit
Executive Directors and CEO’s. Our
program equips you with the critical skills necessary to navigate and thrive in
today's dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
With a unique approach, combining intensive workshops and peer circle
sessions, facilitated by seasoned leadership consultant Sesha Yalamanchili, we
ensure a transformative and enriching experience throughout the year, giving you
the advantage to excel and succeed in this challenging climate. Annual registration opens in the Fall.
Starting Line Healthy Births (was Healthy
Moms/Healthy Babies) Healthy Moms/Health Babies Coalition: Participate in coalition work focused on a
child’s first year. Partners focused on
multi-sector initiatives addressing maternal and infant health (maternal
mortality/morbidity, prematurity, low-birthweight, breastfeeding rates). Sign up HERE.
Starting Line Thrive by Five: Participate in coalition work focused on
children after their first year and before they enter kindergarten, where we
identify needs and support initiatives through collaboration and advocacy
opportunities. Sign up HERE.
Starting Line - College & Career Readiness (was
School-aged Coalition:
Participate in coalition work focused on children from PK through
12th grade, where we identify needs and support initiatives through collaboration
and advocacy opportunities. Coalitions
further the common goals of UWBEC and funded program(s). Sign up HERE.
United
Way Weekly Newsletter: United
Way issues a weekly newsletter geared towards nonprofit organizations and
employees. This newsletter is intended
to be a resource primarily for Western New York nonprofit organizations looking
to share information and/or job openings. If you have news, events, or job postings you
would like included in the weekly newsletter, you
may submit a request via our website. To sign up to receive
the newsletter, click HERE.
VolunteerWNY.org: Listing volunteer opportunities for your
organization provides hundreds of volunteers the opportunity to support your
work, and learn more about your work in the community.