SIDNEY — Planned Parenthood has received much media attention and scrutiny in the past 5 TO 6 weeks and in return has generated inquiries to the Shelby County United Way.
“The Shelby County United Way does not fund, and has never funded, Planned Parenthood. 99 percent of all of the dollars raised in Shelby County, pledged to the Shelby County United Way during the annual campaign, stay local in our county to support our 27 funded programs and our special projects,” said Duane Gaier, Board president. “Each year, our local board of directors and 15 to 20 additional local community members assist in the allocation process to determine the funding decisions. We feel our board and community leaders/volunteers are a true representation of our county.”
“The 1 percent that goes to United Way Worldwide also does not go to Planned Parenthood. Here is the link to their website in regards to UWW’s response to Planned Parenthood http://www.united-ways-global.org/contact-us/faqs,” said Scott Barr, executive director.
There are close to 1,200 independent local United Ways in the United States, each UW their own separate 501 c 3 with their own local board.
“It is my understanding that from the last data collected by United Way Worldwide, that over 95 percent of all local independent United Ways do not fund Planned Parenthood. The decision to fund a program is a local board/community decision and again, the Shelby County United Way has never funded Planned Parenthood,” said Barr.
“In addition to funding agencies, we awarded 24 special project grants each of the last two years. We have funded Elizabeth New Life Center (Women’s Center) three years in a row through special project grant funding. We have funded baby care items for their educational incentive program, a technology grant to purchase IPads for consultations in the exam rooms, and most recently, sleep sacks for the newborns to promote healthy sleeping and the reduction of SIDS,” Barr continued.
Special projects recipients cannot be designated on pledge cards during the annual campaign in case the organization does not apply the following year for a grant.
The SCUW conducts community-wide needs assessments and reviews both local/government data and census data in determining the priority of funding and the threshold of funding.
“Our board and community leaders are an active part of that process. We fund organizations which will provide the greatest impact in providing the programming. We fund many faith-based organizations. The S.C.U.W. Board of Directors feel those organizations are the leaders in delivering their specific programming and services. In some cases, those organizations are the only organizations delivering those services,” said Barr.
The following are some of the faith-based organization which are currently funded:
• Partner Agencies
• Catholic Social Services
• Salvation Army
• Compassionate Care Free Health Clinic
• Samaritan Works Sober Living Homes (both men and women)
• Alpha Community Center
• Sidney-Shelby County YMCA
Through special project grant funding, money is designated to:
• Elizabeth New Life Center
• Agape Distribution
• First Presbyterian Church (Munch Bunch backpack program)
• Holy Angels Soup Kitchen
“Again, we identify and hold accountable the best organizations to drive the greatest results which make Shelby County a greater community in the areas of Health, Education, and Income. We are very proud to be a 4 star (out of 4 stars) rated non-profit organization rated by Charity Navigator,” said Barr.
“I want to thank the many generous and loyal donors, both corporate and individual, that allow the SCUW the ability to fund our partner agencies and have significant impact in all of our county communities. In addition, I want to thank the Pacesetter companies that ran their campaigns in August to boost the beginning of our campaign. We are starting week 1 at $122,495 or 9.5 percent as we move towards our goal of $1,325,000. We’re Better Together!”
