The Board of Directors of Heritage United Way approved $1,539,500 in program grants on April 16, 2009 in support of 49 local health and human service programs operated by 41 social service agencies for the funding period May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.  This amount represents an approximate 3% increase over last year’s allocable pool.   

Community Review Teams evaluated the programs recommended to the Board of Directors of Heritage United Way.  These teams of trained volunteers are made up of community members and industry experts who dedicate thousands of volunteer hours to reviewing funding proposals and visiting agencies in order to assess each program and determine how to best invest donor dollars.  Investments are made in the areas of critical need within the 18 communities served by Heritage United Way- education and lifelong learning, health and wellness and housing and economic self-sufficiency.    

The programs must report quarterly on their progress towards established community goals within their respective investment area. This funding strategy seeks to produce the greatest positive impact for the community while encouraging collaboration and innovation amongst local programs.   Last year, Heritage United Way-funded programs served close to 54,000 of our friends, family and neighbors. 

“In an increasingly competitive market for donor funds, we continue to show that we are making a real difference in the community by demonstrating a clear return on investments to our donors,” said Patrick Tufts, President & CEO of Heritage United Way.    

Heritage United Way remains one of the only organizations that provide agency programs with unrestricted operating support.  This approach allows agencies to seek funding for program elements that are not typically provided for with traditional grants and combines the flexibility of providing unrestricted operating support to local programs with the expectation that they make specific contributions to stated community goals.   

In addition to the investments awarded through program grants, Heritage United Way will invest an extra $783,000 into the local community through various initiatives with other partners, including the City of Manchester and 2-1-1 NH, and through direct donor designations.