CAPE GIRARDEAU — United Way of Southeast Missouri is asking the public to complete a brief survey that will help guide future initiatives and funding. The survey can be completed online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B7RS2F6 or by visiting the organization’s website: www.unitedwayofsemo.org. Printed copies of a condensed survey can be picked up in the United Way office at 1417 N. Mt. Auburn Road, Suite D in Cape Girardeau or by calling the United Way office at 573-334-9634.
United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of everyone, and the questions on the survey focus on these three areas. United Way of Southeast Missouri (UWSEMO) covers the counties of Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, and Scott City, and residents of these communities are especially encouraged to participate. The organization recently conducted Community Conversations in each county, plus an additional conversation in Jackson. These provided qualitative data to supplement the quantitative data UWSEMO hopes to acquire through the online and print surveys.
According to Raechel Reinitz, Community Relations Manager for UWSEMO, “It is critical for us to hear from United Way donors and partners, the people we serve, and members of each community who have no affiliation with United Way. Throughout the pandemic, need has really been amplified. We want to be sure our donors’ dollars are going where they are most needed and most beneficial based on input from each community we serve.”
UWSEMO commits to a three-year funding cycle for its partner agencies and programs. The 2019-22 cycle will end with the organization’s fiscal year June 30, 2022. In January the agency will open funding opportunities for the upcoming cycle by soliciting Requests for Proposals. Community volunteers will then review and rank all proposals, advancing those that meet the criteria. This group will receive site visits or be invited to present to the Community Investment Committee (CIC), a group of volunteers from each of the organization’s focus areas (education, income stability, and health) and each of the four counties it serves. The CIC recommends to the Board of Directors the agencies it believes United Way should invest in for the next three years and the percentage of revenue each should receive.
Organizations that desire funding and individuals interested in helping to review the applications are encouraged to follow United Way of Southeast Missouri on Facebook and subscribe to the monthly newsletter via their website to receive the most current information and updates.