West Suburban United Way is shifting its focus on program funding to Community Impact funding for the 2007-2008 funding cycle.

We feel that through funding community impact areas we can more effectively move the needle to make a lasting impact on the focus area we are defining. Issues that affect the community are being identified through regional community conversations held in various locations throughout our area. Once identified, we will formulate solutions and plans to address these issues, and invest our donors’ gifts accordingly.

This is being done throughout the Chicago Metropolitan region. Then the impact areas will be aligned with other United Ways to simplify our processes for our investors and for our agencies. This way we can coordinate and collaborate with our partners and stakeholders to make a more lasting impact on these issues for the people in our community.

Putting our resources to work in the most effective way possible, in conjunction with enriching the lives of those family members and neighbors that have come to depend on us, is still our primary goal and mission. We are just looking at ways to do this in the most efficient and effective way possible.

The transition from Program Funding to Community Impact will not happen overnight. We want to take our time and get everyone’s input so that it is done in the most seamless way possible. There will be no interruption of funded services due to this transition. Everyone should just start to see and feel the results.

We cannot continue on our journey to lasting Community Impact without the continuing support of our investors. Investors are just what you are, when you make a donation to United Way you are making an investment in the future of your community. You not only help people, but you make a real lasting impact on your community.