How We Work

More Impact, Lasting Results, Intelligent Giving.

You probably know United Way best for our role in supporting a large network of local nonprofit agencies. We have a proud history of providing a convenient way for employees at the workplace to give back and to help those in need. However, the problems facing St. Joseph County today demand a more strategic approach to charity and donors are demanding more accountability for their contributions.

The United Way of St. Joseph County Community Investment Strategy

Through United Way's new Community Investment Strategy, we set goals and report progress in three critical "Priority Areas" that were identified by United Way's 2005 comprehensive Community Needs Assessment:

Our strategy:

• Pinpoints the most critical problems facing St. Joseph County
• Builds strategies that focus on identifying the root causes of problems and help individuals achieve self-sufficiency .
• Brings agencies together to maximize efforts rather than unnecessarily duplicating efforts.
• Tracks progress to report results back to our donors.

We believe that no one agency working alone can achieve as much as we can by working together. Because of our long history in St. Joseph County, we can engage civic leaders in problem solving and turn to corporations for expertise, resources and volunteers. No other organizations in Michiana are better positioned to lead systemic change.