Inside INdiana Business is reporting the United Way of Central Indiana says it is heading into its second century with a new strategic framework. The organization says the effort focuses on a “Two-Generation Approach,” combining services to help children and their parents or caregivers at the same time.
Traditionally, the group says, it has focused on four distinct pillars of education, financial stability, health and basic needs, especially for people who are living in or are close to living in poverty. UWCI says the new framework will enable it to integrate the four areas to develop comprehensive solutions that can impact entire families.
The organization says the new strategy will help it build on previous success it has had with Two-Generation Approach programs, such as the Great Families 2020 initiative, which received a $7 million federal Social Innovation Fund grant. It says the approach will also lead to new initiatives to address pressing community issues including maternal and child health and family literacy.
UWCI Board Chair Bryan Mills says the new framework addresses the reality that most people who are in or near poverty are facing multiple barriers to self-sufficiency.
“This interconnectedness demands problem-solving that United Way is uniquely positioned to bring about,” said Mills in a news release. “The United Way Board of Directors is proud to support this bold new direction to move generations of Hoosiers to a better life.”
The organization says, moving forward, it will make three major changes in the way it drives philanthropy:
- Focusing on initiatives that move families toward self-sufficiency, while continuing work to meet Hoosiers’ basic needs and to spur innovation in Central Indiana’s human services sector;
- Raising money, engaging people and creating impact through investments in services, community-based organizations, public policy work, partnerships and other activities, consistent with the goals of the impact initiatives;
- Making it easier than ever for UWCI’s supporters to give, advocate and volunteer in causes and with organizations they are passionate about through modern solutions such as the Salesforce Philanthropy Cloud, a next generation corporate and individual engagement platform resulting from our global partnership between United Way and Salesforce.org.
The United Way says it will meet with agency partners and community organizations in the coming months to discuss the new approach.