United Way Increases Funding to Partner Agencies and

Responds to Emerging Needs

Dayton, OH, May 24, 2006 – The successful 2005 United Way Campaign is translating into increased funding for the local network of health and human services in Montgomery, Greene and Preble Counties. The 2005 Campaign grew 1.28% over 2004. With the continued emphasis on reducing overhead and maximizing dollars to services, the Board of Directors passed on a slightly larger increase of 1.34% to support programs provided by the United Way Partner Agencies in the following Priority Areas:

"  Children, Youth and Families: $3,000,671 will support programs that strengthen families and help children and youth succeed.

"  Positive Living for Vulnerable Populations: $1,125,829 will fund services that enhance the quality of life for the elderly and persons with disabilities or chronic health conditions.

"  Community Capacity: $1,610,652 will support programs that strengthen the overall local health and human service network or target specific emerging needs such as the Red Cross Disaster Preparedness, HelpLink 2-1-1 and the Volunteer Connection, The Foodbank, and the Hispanic Family Advocacy Project.

In total, $5,737,152 was distributed by United Way volunteers to 95 programs at 45 agencies. Two-thirds of the programs, which had received a three-year allocation in 2005, received a one percent increase this year. The remaining third, comprised of new programs and those experiencing significant changes, were reviewed by the volunteer panels and received funding - contracts for one or two more years. Increases were given to programs meeting high priorities related to the changes in the economy and the growing demand for basic needs, especially emergency food and shelter and literacy/job training.

A total of $186,050 was set aside to meet emerging and/or emergency needs related to the major uncertainty affecting many workers in the region. The fund will allow United Way to respond quickly to an economic crisis if it occurs. If not needed, the dollars will be allocated to support ongoing services. Similarly, while United Way funding is directed to specific programs, a process has been set up to quickly approve a shift in funding if an agency experiences unprecedented requests for services as a result of potential local economic challenges.

In addition to the $5.7 million allocated through the volunteer funding panels, $2,997,579 was directed by individual donors to more than 500 nonprofit organizations providing a health or human service in the Miami Valley . Also, $110,000 will support community initiatives so that United Way can work on long-term solutions to needs from preventing home foreclosures and homeless to helping youth succeed in school today and in the jobs of tomorrow. In total, $8,877,731 from the campaign will directly support services.

For a complete listing of the 2006 United Way Funded Programs, log on to the United Way website at dayton-unitedway.org .

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