United Way of Allen County identifies and responds to community needs in distributing donor dollars.
Every two years, United Way completes a Community Assessment to gauge the quality of life for area citizens by analyzing data in key categories like education, health care, housing and crime. United Way's funding priorities are then based on results of those assessments. You can read the most current needs assessment, called Goals for the Common Good, by downloading the document.
Agencies apply for program funding on a two-year basis. (United Way does not necessarily fund all programs at any given agency.) If an agency is found to meet basic organizational standards (financial, operational, governance), and its program is judged to be effectively addressing a specific need, the program will receive funding under one of the priority areas listed below.
Success in School
United Way is building upon an existing network of collaborative partners to better meet the educational needs of our most vulnerable children.
Improving Success in School services include quality child care and education for child academic success; meaningful child/adult relationships (mentoring); and involvement of families in leadership roles and decision-making about their child’s education.
Family Stability
United Way increases access to opportunities that help hardworking people become more economically stable to live independently.
Promoting Family Stability services include job training and literacy skills to develop employment opportunities; mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence services for low-income individuals; case management and counseling services to enhance personal growth; and disability and mobility services for seniors and people with disabilities.
Basic Needs
United Way helps people meet their Basic Needs by providing financial resources and supportive services for individuals experiencing a crisis.
Meeting basic needs services include help with financial and material assistance, food, health care and utilities; medical transportation to maintain physical well-being and sustain independence; and emergency shelter and supportive services for homeless people.
2-1-1
United Way of Allen County operates a toll-free, 24-hour 2-1-1 phone system serving people in 10 northeast Indiana counties. By dialing 2-1-1, people can get information and referrals for local services to meet basic needs. 2-1-1 services include referrals for food, shelter and housing, employment, health care, clothing, education and emergency response.
Learn United
Learn United is United Way of Allen County's ten-year plan to help all third graders read at grade level. Partners include the Allen County Education Partnership, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and all four local public school districts. Currently, more than 1,000 local third graders do not pass the language portion of the ISTEP test. Learn United links volunteers with these children in order to help them gain literacy skills. More information is available at www.LearnUnited.org.
