The annual United Way Allocations Process kicks off this week with 150 volunteers signed up to participate.

Throughout this week (March 9-13), volunteers are meeting for United Way Allocations Process orientation and to schedule the meetings for the rest of the process. Remaining kick-off meetings will be held at United Way on Tuesday, March 10 at 3:00pm and 5:30pm, Wednesday March 11 at 3:00pm, and Thursday March 12 at 3:00pm.

Through the United Way Allocations Process, United Way Partner Agencies are evaluated and allocation funding recommendations are made by groups of volunteers. Volunteers examine agency operations, programs, and finances, and recommend how much money should be allocated to each agency the following year. Recommendations are then presented to the United Way Board of Directors for review and final approval. The work of the volunteers ensure that donor dollars are used to achieve the greatest impact in the areas of education, health and financial stability and that United Way of Greater St. Joseph is accountable to donors.

Volunteers are placed on one of six subcommittees, and each subcommittee typically reviews three United Way Partner Agencies. The volunteers dedicate 10-15 hours of their time over a 2 month period from mid-March to mid-May reviewing the agencies, listening to presentations, and determining allocation recommendations. There are approximately four meetings for each subcommittee.