(Photo above | Courtesy of United Way)
New Focus, New Community Investment Strategy, New Fundraising Campaign
United Way of Deschutes County launched its annual community fundraising campaign on September 26. The goal? Raise $1.5 million to be spent benefiting Central Oregonians. The local nonprofit has a new focus and a new community investment strategy, and has added incubator, convener, and collaborator to its role in addressing the needs of our community. The organization has shifted focus and is creating change and improving lives by taking on community characteristics that cause and contribute to critical problems.
United Way is building a social change movement and has adopted reducing childhood trauma and improving resilience as its top priorities. Trauma leads to physical, mental and behavioral problems later in life. Resilience means having the skills, perspectives, relationships and support to manage hardships, cope with stress and bounce back. Some funds raised in this year’s campaign will be directed towards this social change work. By focusing on trauma and resilience, the nonprofit is addressing root causes of challenges in education, health and financial stability that face our community.
Education, health and financial stability are the foundation of opportunity and success, along with basic needs like food, safety and shelter. This is why, in addition to social change initiatives, funds raised in this campaign will also support United Way’s ongoing traditional investments in basic needs, which make up our community’s safety net, and prevention and development, which strengthens our community.
The organization works alongside Community Impact Partners — local nonprofits that applied for and received United Way grants through a competitive RFP process – on basic needs, prevention and development, and resilience initiatives that create social change.
United Way has set its sights on the systemic change our community needs to increase the capacity of individuals in our community to cope with stress, to overcome challenges and to thrive. Learn more at www.deschutesunitedway.org
