Ocala, Fla. (May 26, 2011) ---United Way of Marion County announces the allocation of funds from the 2010 Annual Campaign. The money will be used to support programs that are reflective of the organization's new focus around the targeted areas of Education, Income and Health.  For the fiscal year 2011-12, beginning on July 1, 2011, United Way will fund 21 local service programs down from 37 the year before. Initial requests were $2.6 million dollars for 53 programs.

"It's not about a decrease in funding or the number of agency partners, it's about supporting the best programs that align around our new work of Education, Income and Health," said United Way of Marion County President, Maureen Quinlan. "United Way is strategically focusing on goals and strategies within those three areas that can make the biggest impact in moving the needle forward in our community."

Nearly 80 volunteers with previous funding distribution experience as well as community professionals from the education, income and health field gave more than 400 hours combined in creating the goals and strategies for each focus areas in preparation of the request for proposals being distributed. Half of those volunteers were involved in the investment process who evaluated agency applications and recommend funding levels to United Way's Board of Directors for final approval. The volunteers carefully reviewed agency requests, made on-site visits to see programs in operation, studied agency audits and budgets, and reviewed program outcomes to see the long-term effects on community needs.

CLICK HERE for community investments for 2011-12 (Total allocations per agency include Community Care Fund and Donor Designated Dollars.)

In addition to the above funds, United Way of Marion County also invests resources into the following community services:

• Green Path (formally Consumer Credit Counseling)
• Success By 6, an early childhood initiative, partnering with the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County
• 2-1-1, a free 24-hour information and referral service for Marion County residents

Additional funding that is invested in the community includes:

• $250,474 from FEMA to programs that focus on rent, emergency food and utility assistance.
• $542,219 in claimed Earned Income Tax Credit to 317 of families Through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program: 1,111 tax returns were completed bringing $1,608,774 into Marion County for families
• $99,479 to 12 programs focused on meeting critical emergency needs, start-up costs, capital improvements and nonrecurring special needs in the areas of Education, Income and Health from United Way's Endowment Fund

For more information about United Way's investment process, including volunteer service, contact Barbara Bombara at 352-732-9696, ext. 204, or by email to bbombara@uwmc.org.

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