United Way 2009-2012 Strategic Plan

							   UNITED WAY OF THURSTON COUNTY
       2009-2012 STRATEGIC PLAN

                           September 2009




United Way of Thurston County creates lasting change by investing resources in effective
programs, projects and initiatives that address the underlying causes of community
problems. We identify and build on community strengths and assets, and work with a wide
range of partners to achieve measurable results that improve the lives of Thurston County
residents.

Mission
To strengthen our community by mobilizing people and resources to meet identified human
needs.

Goals and Objectives
A quality education, sufficient income and good health are the building blocks for a
successful life. To improve the lives of individuals and families, United Way of Thurston
County provides leadership, supports organizations and promotes community progress to
meet the following goals and objectives:

Goal 1: Help children and youth learn and succeed
       • Implement the Early Learning Initiative to improve early learning opportunities for
           Thurston County children and families
Measurement: Provide biennial summary of results, and measures of community progress
in these three focus areas linked to United Way initiatives and investments

Goal 2: Promote financial stability for families and individuals
       • Provide leadership for the Thurston County Asset Building Coalition
       • Coordinate annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) campaign to increase tax
           filing and free tax preparation assistance
Measurement: Provide biennial summary of results, and measures of community progress
in these three focus areas linked to United Way initiatives and investments

Goal 3: Improve people’s health
       • Fund community programs that increase access to quality health care
Measurement: Provide biennial summary of results, and measures of community progress
in these three focus areas linked to United Way initiatives and investments


                                                                 (Over)


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We will promote giving, advocating and volunteering in Thurston County through the
following goals and objectives:

Goal 4: Raise additional funds from more diverse sources to support community
solutions
       • Support innovative venture programs like the Women’s Leadership Council, and
           explore new ones such as social media that engage new groups of donors
       • Increase the range of employers active in workplace giving
       • Increase outreach and success in planned giving
Measurement: Percentage annual increase in funds raised; increase in number of
individual donors and diversity of revenue sources

Goal 5: Simplify and align social services funding by providing leadership to develop
a shared vision for collaborative funding throughout Thurston County
         • Align United Way fund pools to maximize effectiveness
         • Work with local public and other funding entities to develop a more coordinated
             social services funding plan, and explore the use of a common grant maker
             application form
Measurement: Coherent, coordinated funding plan in place that encompasses public, non-
profit, faith-based and private sector resources

Goal 6: Improve and streamline service delivery by promoting and supporting
collaboration among the public, non-profit, service and faith-based sectors
      • Work with partners to sponsor annual learning and collaboration day
      • Explore incentive funding to support shared services
Measurement: Annual survey demonstrates improved collaboration

Goal 7: Promote the Give/Do model of service in action
        • Develop a joint plan with the Volunteer Center and other local organizations to
          promote linked giving and volunteerism
        • Create new ways to engage youth, younger adults, and communities of color in
          United Way activities
Measurement: Measurable increase in involvement with youth, younger adults, people of
color, and non-English speaking individuals

Goal 8: Improve outreach to our community through stronger communication,
marketing and technology
      • Continue strong partnership with The Olympian
      • Initiate new social networking and marketing vehicles such as e-newsletters to
          expand reach and connection to our work
Measurement: To be determined

Goal 9: All United Way funding will include services that also promote the ability of
participants/clients to achieve self-sufficiency
       • Fund community programs that integrate prevention, personal responsibility and
          skill building into all services
Measurement: Percentage of funding awards that meet criteria


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