United Way of Otter Tail County is excited to announce the 2005/2006 campaign results.
United Way was able to raise $316,948 of the $320,000 goal putting the mark at 99.1 percent.
The money raised will go back into the community in the form of partnership dollars with area non-profits who have applied for the funds and direct service programs which benefit the community.
Last year United Way was able to fund 31 programs as well as participation in area projects such as The Caring Tree (school supplies and clothing), Holiday Toy Shop Program, food drives, methamphetamine education, a semi-load of goods sent to the Hurricane Katrina victims and the Coats for Kids program.
United Way Executive Director Lynne Olson is pleased to have reached this close to the campaign goal and hopes to continue increasing the impact that United Way has in supporting people and programs in Otter Tail County. She would also like to thank the community for their continued support of the United Way mission of improving lives and creating lasting changes in community conditions.
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EOT applications for United Way funding
By Sonja Kosler
Staff Writer
Most people are familiar with United Way fund drives, but what happens after the money is collected?
Just as community volunteers solicit contributions, so do community volunteers decide how the funds will be distributed within the community. On Thursday, March 27 a group of volunteers met in Perham to review six applications for funding and to discuss the applications with agency representatives.
Requesting a total of $35,900 to help fund their programs were Mills IMPACT, the New York Mills Food Shelf, the new York Mills Senior Center, Perham Area Community Center, Perham Kinship, and Perhams Promise. Requests for funding help from the agencies included teen health and nutrition programs, assistance with rent, mini-grants for small projects, and after school programs.
Community volunteers Tom Beaudry, Vicki Broaddus, Key Helm, Sonja Kosler, John Minge, Jan Parta, Tamara Uselman, and Alice Wenzel made funding recommendations based on the following criteria:
"non-profit organization
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"funds stay in Otter Tail County
"making a difference in the lives of people
"programs address the root cause of problems and work to change those factors
"there is an identifiable partnership between United Way and the program
"funds are not for use in capital campaigns or building projects
"donors would be comfortable with their contributions going to this program
The recommendations now go to the Otter Tail County United Way Community Investment Process committee for review along with recommendations forwarded from seven other communities throughout the county. The Board of Directors of United Way of Otter Tail County will make final funding decisions.
As Executive Director Lynne Olson says, It is a challenging process as we have limited dollars and unlimited needs for the community.
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County-wide requests for funds from 42 agencies totaled $335, 636; there is only $220, 500 available to be distributed from last years fund drive.
