Frequently Asked Questions - Current & New Agency Partners
Q: Who can apply for the new 2012-2015 investment awards?
A: Current North Penn United Way partner agencies, as well as new (those who have not received funding from the NPUW in the past) non-profits organizations (501c3) who have met the established Qualification Standards set forth by the United Way Board. (Qualification Standards applications were due to the North Penn United Way office by January 13, 2012 to be considered for the 2012-2015 investment cycle.)
Q: How will restricted contributions (donations that are made to specific non-profits via the campaign pledge form) be handled in the new investment process?
A: Restricted contributions dollars will be handled as a stream of revenue for agencies that is completely separate from North Penn United Way unrestricted investment dollars. North Penn United Way volunteer teams and staff will determine 2012-15 awards of unrestricted dollars based totally upon the merit of submitted proposals. These decisions will be made without knowledge of restricted contributions made to a particular agency, so as not to influence award decisions and amounts.
We will be focusing our efforts on investing in programs and organizations that possess the expertise, energy and excellence to address our three Community Goals (All North Penn & Indian Valley Students Succeed in School, All North Penn & Indian Valley older Adults are as Independent and Community Connected as Possible, and All North Penn & Indian Valley Residents Have a Strong Safety Net).
Q: As an historic agency partner, we don’t know if we will align with any of the new Community Goals. Can a representative from the United Way meet with us to see if there is a way we can re-adjust our programs in order to receive funding? When would be the appropriate time for these meetings to take place?
A: We are certainly willing to assist any current or potential agency partner, if they have questions about our newly established goals and the new investment process. We will be holding informational and training sessions for all agencies interested in submitting proposals in February (2012). (See complete list under Agency Partner Timeline.)
Q: As an historic agency partner, we don’t think we will align with any of the three Community Goals. If we do not align, how and when will our historic funding go away?
A: The short answer is: we don’t know yet. The long answer is: when looking at our working timeline, we see new awards beginning as early as October of 2012 or as far out as January 2013. Either of these dates would extend current funding levels to all current partners beyond the July 1, 2012 start of the new fiscal year – an action totally grounded in the intention to give historic partners awarded fewer, or no, NPUW dollars past June 30, 2012, a fair and reasonable transition time to adjust programming and budgets.
We feel our primary obligations are to be as fair and as transparent as possible during this new investment process. We recognize that these are tough financial times for organizations, including those partners with whom the North Penn United Way has had long-standing relationships. The important thing to note is that we are going to be open, transparent and connected with our partners as we work toward a supportive and realistic transition plan.
It is also important for our agency partners to understand that while we may no longer be investing in one of their programs, there will always be ways for us to partner. For example, if needed, we can help them find volunteers through Volunteer Connections – our soon to be launched virtual volunteer center.
Q: Will there be a funding gap between when the new awards begin and the current funding cycle ends?
A: No. Once the investment plans are developed and approved by the board, we will be able to more clearly define when the new funding will begin. Our plan is to continue historical funding at the current levels until the new award distribution begins. This does mean that programs being funded for the first time (whether by current or new partners) will be deferred until either October or January in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
Q: Why are you going to a three year investment commitment?
A: Because we want agencies and groups that we invest in to know that we are committed to a long-term partnership, and because successful strategies and system changes take time.
In truth we are currently laying the groundwork for results that we might not see for three, five, or even ten years. We’re really working in terms of preventative and system-change strategies that may not come to fruition until a generation from now. And so a year-to-year investment strategy doesn’t seem to make sense.
In addition, we want our partners to spend more time getting better and better at helping children and youth succeed, older adults thrive, and people in crisis find support, and less time filling out our funding applications. The same holds true for our North Penn United Way staff and volunteers. During the three years, we too intend to spend more time getting more effective and accountable – assessing investment results, helping partners modify strategies to achieve greater impact, forming new alliances to expand the capacity for reaching toward our goals – and less time overseeing application review processes.
Q: What happens if there is an unforeseen change in one of your granted partners’ situations?
During this process we will all be learning and growing together. We understand that situations may change. Issues such as changes in leadership, changes in overall funding, or even a natural disaster could play a role in a granted partner’s ability to fulfill their obligations or outcomes. We are wise enough to understand that this is certainly a possibility, we understand its importance, and should they occur we will need to respond to these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How can you ensure funding for all three years of a funding cycle?
A: The United Way believes in the theory of abundance not scarcity. Because of the generosity and engagement of our community and the strength of our team, we are in the enviable position to say, that even during the worst times of this recessionary period, we have been bucking trends by seeing our results increase year after year.
Moving forward we are cautiously optimistic. We believe the new work we are doing will attract resources, and we have enhanced resource development strategies to help us meet our goals. We feel that with good strategies and good communication, along with giving people the opportunity to lend their hands, their voice and their hearts, we will generate what we need to get this important work done.
Of course the three year investments will ultimately be contingent upon our ability to raise funds. Likewise, the continued investment in programs will be contingent upon an agency’s ability to demonstrate their results and progress. The United Way will be held accountable for raising funds and keeping our financial promises, and our partners will be held accountable for showing well-documented results.
Q: Have you included any current partner agency representatives in your Community Impact research and development process?
A: From the first Community Summit in 2007, to the creation of our Innovation and Solutions Teams (created when the community asked us to make more data-driven, strategic investments), right through our current Strategy Sessions, we have encouraged agency partners to have their voices heard by being part of the process. Fortunately, for our staff, we have had many engaged agency partners work with us all along the way.
Agency partners have helped us get our fingers on the pulse of ‘what our community needs,’ ‘what the data shows,’ ‘how this model change will affect our partners,’ ‘how change might resonate with donors,’ and even insight into logistical details like ‘what will the new investment application look like’?
Q: When will Requests for 2012-2015 Proposals (RFP’s) be issued?
A: Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) will be issued on Feb. 22, 2012. There will also be a Technical Assistance session provided on that day at the North Penn United Way offices for any partners interested in submitting a proposal. The session will be held from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
Q: When will 2012-2015 Funding Proposal applications be due to the North Penn United Way for consideration?
A: All Funding Proposal applications must be uploaded to out electronic database management system (CTK) by May 16, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Q: When will the new investments begin?
A: The short answer is: we don’t know yet. The long answer is: when looking at our working timeline, we see new awards beginning as early as October of 2012 or as far out as January 2013. Either of these dates would extend current funding levels to all current partners beyond the July 1, 2012 start of the new fiscal year – an action totally grounded in the intention to give historic partners awarded fewer, or no, NPUW dollars past June 30, 2012, a fair and reasonable transition time to adjust programming and budgets.
Q: How many proposals can an individual agency submit?
A: Up to three proposals -- each for a distinctive program model/strategy and for a specific population. These proposals may be aligned with one Community Goal or more than one Goal. For example, one agency might submit three proposals within the School Success Goal. Another agency may choose to submit one proposal linked with the Older Adults Goal and one with the Safety Net Goal.
Q: What is the maximum amount an agency may request for any proposal?
A: There is no maximum award limit.
Why? If there’s a really terrific strategy that is going to produce tremendous results for our community, we don’t want to be restricted when it comes to our investment dollars.
In addition, if in the future we are fortunate enough to apply for, and receive, a large amount of money as part of our collaborative efforts, we would not want to restrict ourselves in terms of how much money we can distribute.
Q: What is the minimum amount an agency may request for any proposal?
A: $15,000 annually
Why? After considering our own funding patterns, and looking at other successful funding organizations, we feel this is the minimum investment amount that makes sense in terms of a North Penn United Way results-focused partnership to improve customer lives.
Q: Who is involved in making the decisions regarding the investment of funds?
A: Applications will first be reviewed and assessed by the North Penn United Way staff, according to investment criteria that will be applied consistently to all applications. These reviews will then be considered by the North Penn United Way volunteer Community Investment Team (CIT). The CIT will make their recommendations to the North Penn United Way Board of Directors. Ultimately the Board will decide how the investment dollars will be distributed.
Q: When you say the North Penn United Way is moving from “funding agencies” to “investing in programs,” what do you mean?
A: Up until now, North Penn United Way, has been allocating dollars to agency partners who have been providing valuable services and support to our community members that needed care. Like most United Ways across the country, we are now transitioning from this “community chest” model to a results-focused “community impact” model. We are moving from a broad charitable mission, to a sharpened focus on a few high-level goals with a commitment to making sure every dollar is linked to those goals and to a positive “return on investment” for both customers and donors.
Investments will now be made in the highest-performing programs and initiatives proposed by both current and new partners, rather than providing general financial support to an historic partner for its overall human services efforts.
As we advance, we look forward to investing in the most strategic web of programs, collaborations and initiatives that produce the most positive results for the most people.
Q: Will the North Penn United Way provide agencies with help regarding the new results-based-accountability (RBA) performance measurement process?
A: Yes. A specific workshop will be offered to all agencies interested in applying for 2012-2015 investment awards. This training will (a) focus upon the three RBA questions: How much service did we deliver? (Quantity); How well did we deliver those services? (Quality); Is anyone better off? (Customer Results); (b) describe recommended performance measures for programs within each of the three Community Goals; (c) offer suggestions as to how agencies can apply these measures in their own work.
On a larger scale, North Penn United Way is dedicated to applying RBA as an investment and action framework that can and will serve as a catalyst for changing lives and changing community conditions in multiple ways. We have invested in expert consulting and training, and will continue to do so as part of our total community investment. Our goal is to bring all partners to a place where we are speaking about common goals - in a common language - and we are using common systems and strategies to frame and measure our community impact work.