United Way refocus means some programs will lose funds

Some social service programs currently supported by United Way of Greater Kansas City no longer will be funded as the organization refines its focus to have a greater effect on the community, officials said Tuesday.

They planned to meet with recipient agencies Tuesday to explain the changes so they would have time to re-evaluate their programs. Decisions about which organizations will be funded in the three year cycle beginning next year will not be made until April, but officials said it will be a highly competitive process.

“We don’t anticipate major changes,” said Jeffrey Provost, chairman of the board of trustees of United Way of Greater Kansas City. “There is going be some changes and there may be a few agencies that no longer have programs that we’re funding. This is an evolution. We’re not trying to completely change what we’re doing.”

United Way funds 320 programs in the cycle that ends this year. Officials could not say how many fewer programs there will be in the next cycle. United Way raised $35.2 million in last fall’s campaign.

United Way officials said the organization and its volunteers spent more than a year studying how it can better allocate dollars to increase return on investment.

Funds will go to programs that help children be healthy and receive developmental support, help older youths and young adults with intellectual and social development, and help adults achieve financial security and independence.

“Our goal is by focusing on these three core stages of life that ultimately we generate a higher return on investment for the donors, for United Way, but also that it has a greater overall impact within the greater Kansas City community as well,” Provost said.

A request for proposals from potential recipients will go out in early September.

Brent Stewart, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Kansas City, said some currently funded programs and agencies that will be most affected by the new focus already have been alerted. He said United Way will work with other programs that might think they’re at risk of losing funds.

The 2016 United Way campaign begins Sept. 8 and ends Dec. 1.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 6:03 PM with the headline "United Way refocus means some programs will lose funds."