United Way Dividing Donor Dollars in 2012:
2012 Community Investment Allocations
United Way of Mahaska County funds Seventeen Partner Agencies with a total of $281,313
During the January 26, 2012 meeting of the Board of Directors of United Way of Mahaska County, $281,313 in grants were approved to 17 partner agencies throughout the county. The funding priorities in 2012 were focused around meeting basic needs in times of crisis as well as capacity building, while supporting Education, Income/Financial Stability and Health as building blocks for a better life.
Twelve community members volunteered to serve on the Community Investment Team, which reviewed the grant applications and recommended the distribution of United Way grant funds. This diverse group of community members not only reviewed the grant applications, but also interviewed non-profit representatives, reviewed program guidelines, and looked at the needs of the community as a whole.
“The volunteers who served on this year’s Community Investment Team focused on outcomes and accountability for each partner agency. They were cautious with the dollars entrusted to us by our donors, and worked diligently to make the best investment back into our community. United Way had $385,845 in requests this year with only $281,313 available to distribute. Each year we have more requests than we are able to grant, and therefore we cannot thank them enough for their time spent and their great attention to detail this year,” stated United Way of Mahaska County’s Executive Director, Brianne Fitzgerald.
The community members serving on this year’s Community Investment Team were:
Chairperson – Nick Smith, Vice President, United Way of Mahaska County Board of Directors
Pam Pothoven – MidwestOne Bank
Mary Jo Almond – Cablevey Conveyors
Mike Gipple – Musco Lighting
Robb Beane – Dept. of Education, Iowa Learning Online
Polly Ehret – Oskaloosa Community Schools
Jennifer Peterson – Oskaloosa Community Schools
Amy Shafer – Hawkeye Real Estate
Malinda Ratliff – Hy-Vee Food Stores
Kerra Strong – William Penn University
Jenna Sytsma – Mahaska County
Dustin Hite – Heslinga, Dixon, Moore and Hite Law office
The seventeen partner agencies receiving funding include:
Mahaska Hospice – Palliative Care
Crisis Intervention Services
Kids’ Corner Child Care
Mahaska County YMCA
Food Bank of Southern Iowa
North Mahaska Elementary School
Love INC
New Hope Community Center
Ecumenical Cupboard
Oskaloosa Free Medical Clinic
Iowa Legal Aid
4-H Foundation
Imagine the Possibilities
South Central Iowa Center for Independent Living
Agency on Aging
American Red Cross (Southern Prairie Chapter)
Mahaska County Homelessness Coalition
The mission of United Way of Mahaska County is Leading People to LIVE UNITED with a vision to improve lives for a better tomorrow. More than just a fundraising organization, the organization works to bring neighbors and resources together in our community.
In addition to funding partner agencies, United Way of Mahaska County provides direct programs and services including 2-1-1, VITA Tax Site, Familywize Prescription Discount Program, Day of Caring and Operation Backpack. For more information, contact Brianne Fitzgerald at 641-673-6043 or unitedway@mahaska.org.
