United Way of Lane County

Founded in 1942, United Way of Lane County (UWLC) is governed by a forward looking 36-member Board of Directors and 10-member Executive Committee. Our total revenues range from $4.8 to $6+ million annually with $4.2 million in campaign and $650,000 in grants in FY 2011. The 20 member staff is led by the CEO and a three member senior management team. In 2010, the Board of Directors concluded a three year strategic alignment process resulting in the reorganization of staff, volunteer committees, and community investments to support the Education, Income, and Health goals.

To achieve measurable and lasting change, UWLC identifies and builds upon existing community strengths and assets, helps individuals and groups with specific community interests find ways to contribute their time and talents, and supports direct-service programs and community-change efforts. All of this is done in collaboration with diverse partners such as schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others. The United Way has been working to improve the lives of the citizens of Lane County for close to 70 years. We have moved from simply being a conduit for funds into an organization dedicated to making an impact that lasts.

We were chosen as one of 11 cities nation-wide to participate in the United Way Worldwide Income Mobilization Group, which is dedicating up to $5 million in consultation services to help selected communities demonstrate measurable gains in the financial stability of working families. UWLC was chosen in part because of its track record of success convening diverse partners to tackle tough human service issues. Examples include: between 1998 and 2008 our Success by Six efforts generated the only 5 year decline in CHILD abuse rates in Oregon. Over two years the Latino Medical Access Coalition reduced hospital emergency visits by monolingual Spanish speaking residents by 50%, and went on to found the Federally Qualified Health Centers which now serve some 18000 patients annually. Other factors in UWLC’s selection include a stable and visionary Board of Directors, and the potential to utilize volunteer center and 211 resources to further the work.

UWLC’s greatest asset is the community trust and the respectful relationships it has established among service providers, governmental, and institutional partners. This is underscored by the strength, momentum, and partnerships that characterize the current Success by Six Promise Neighborhood Initiative and the 100% Access to Healthcare Coalition. These efforts are literally transforming the early childhood and healthcare access systems in Lane County. Both initiatives have the trust, commitment, and the significant resources by many leading institutions in our community.