United Way Community Needs Survey

What are the greatest health and human services needs in Island County?  The United Way of Island County is sponsoring a Community Needs Survey September 17-November 15 to find out.

The survey results will be used to help the United Way allocate 2010 funds to non-profit health and human service agencies serving Island County residents. 

The Needs Assessment was designed by and the results will be tabulated by community volunteers. The survey will be distributed on-line at www.unitedwayic.org.  Paper copies of the same survey may be obtained from the United Way office. Paper copies of the surveys must be submitted to United way of Island County where answers will be recorded. The results of the survey will be compiled before the United Way of Island County begins its 2010 allocations process in April. 

 The United Way conducts a Needs Survey every few years to help determine how United Way campaign funds will be distributed among health and human services agencies applying for United Way grants. “This survey, however, is our largest effort to reach out into the community,” according to Cathy Niiro, Executive Director of United Way of Island County.  “It is so important that the United Way and the volunteers who allocate donors’ money understand what the issues are and which unmet needs are the most critical. We try to direct the most money where there is the greatest need.”

It is also important to understand different needs in different parts of our county and the effects Island County’s increased growth is having on our residents and service agencies, Niiro explained.

“Understanding real needs is critical to the United Way’s transition to more outcome based investment.  “We must know what is most important and steer funds to agencies that serve those particular needs . . . and get results,” Niiro added.

“Our goal is to help community partners create lasting changes in conditions that improve people’s lives,” she said. “We are not just about raising funds for partner agencies, we want to make a true impact on the community. This means having a true community vision and not just a United Way vision. It means a lot more measurement around what needs to be done and measuring the actual outcome of programs.”

“The county-wide needs assessment”, Niiro stressed, “is the first step in understanding where we need to set our priorities.”