Be a part of our Community Investment Team!

Responsible for evaluating programs seeking United Way funding that provide services in the Big Bend Region, members of the Community Impact Team play a key role in the United Way’s funding process. It’s a unique opportunity to learn more about United Way partner agencies and have input regarding critical decisions on how the money raised during the United Way’s Annual Campaign will be distributed to the county’s human services providers.

Volunteers will be able to review grant requests via a secure online portal.

To Volunteer as a Community Investment Team Member, please email our county coordinators below.

Franklin County: Molly Lord

Gadsden County:  Beth Phillips

Jefferson County:  Molly Lord

Leon County:  Susan Dunlap

Liberty County:  Molly Lord

Madison County:  Molly Lord

Taylor County:  Laura Wigglesworth

Wakulla County:  Molly Lord

 

Volunteer Job Description

Role Summary:

Community Investment Team members to help make decisions about the total investment for Human Services programs in the county in which they live or work. Community Investment team members increase program accountability to donors of United Way by requiring agencies to define how donor funds will be allocated. Between May and June, volunteers convene to discuss agency allocation requests and determine whether funds requested will be a good investment of United Way dollars. Each county team will be chaired by a volunteer who will guide you through the process. In addition, United Way staff will provide training and general assistance to the panel.

Duties Include:

  • Review agency materials to prepare for the process.
  • Learn about the agency, its clients, its mission and programs. Discover the impact the agency has on the client and community.
  • Keep in mind the needs of the community when reviewing agency services and the program budget requests.
  • Screen out personal biases in order to make objective judgments based on meeting community needs.
  • Determine the benefits the program provides to address community issues.
  • Make funding recommendations for each program.

Time Requirement

Approximately 15-20 hours including application review and day of funding deliberations .

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers should be willing to look at programs from a community perspective, to share their viewpoint with committee members, and be able to review agency applications and materials in a fair and unbiased manner. Volunteers should be committed to meeting community needs by effectively allocating funds to funded programs.

Conflict of Interest

Persons associated with an agency receiving or seeking United Way funding that is assigned to their panel should immediately disclose this to staff or the panel chair. Volunteers with conflicts, real or perceived, should recuse themselves during discussions and deliberations on those agencies.

Volunteer Benefits

Volunteers will learn about human service programs, community needs and how United Way contributions are meeting these needs. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to meet, work with and get to know other concerned community leaders, and volunteers. This process is designed to help volunteers gain experience in community and group decision-making processes.

 

For questions or additional information please email Susan Dunlap, Vice President of Community Impact or call 850.414.0856.