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In the Spotlight
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UWCA Sharpens Focus on Middle Schools
A new pilot program at three area middle schools is just one of the new strategies included in UWCA’s 2011-2012 Community Investment Grants. The pilot program, dubbed Middle School Matters, is aimed at increasing academic achievement among 8th graders at high need middle schools including Webb and Mendez Middle Schools, both in AISD; and Decker Middle School in Manor ISD. Based on the success of the program, UWCA plans to replicate the strategies at other area middle schools.
Eighty nonprofit organizations have indicated they intend to apply for one of the Community Investment grants in UWCA’s three focus areas – education, income and health. The competitive grants are to be awarded in April 2011 to nonprofits with programs that best meet UWCA’s goals in driving systemic change.
"We are sharpening our focus on middle schools as evidence shows that a student’s academic achievement by 8th grade has a greater impact on college and career readiness than high school academic work," said Debbie Bresette, President of United Way Capital Area.
Upcoming deadlines for the grants include:
- Administrative/fiscal application: due by noon Nov. 19
- Program applications: due by noon Dec. 15.
Full details of all of the focus area strategies and the RFP are available online at www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/CIG.
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Getting Connected
Save the Date: MLK Day of Service Jan. 15, 2011
UWCA’s Hands On Central Texas program will hold its annual MLK Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 15. The MLK Day of Service will kick-off at 9 a.m. at Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St. in the Davage-Durden building. Service projects will follow from 10 am-3 pm. To volunteer for a project, please sign-up at www.handsoncentraltexas.org.
Grants Training Offered in November
Austin Fire Department and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Austin Nov. 22-23. The class will teach organizations how to find grants and write winning grant proposals. Nonprofits can sign up at a special rate of $395 which includes class workbook and an accompanying resource CD that offers tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Complete event details including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials and online registration are available here. Please use code "TXNPO" to receive the discount. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment. For more information, contact Cathy Rittenhouse at 800-814-8191 or www.padgett-cpa.com prior to Nov. 15. The firm will announce recipients in early December.
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Your Local United Way in Action
City of Austin and Bank on Central Texas Partner on Paperless Pay for Employees
In October, the Austin City Council unanimously approved a resolution to increase the number of city employees who are paid through electronic fund transfer, such as direct deposit or prepaid debit card loading. The resolution was introduced by Council Member Bill Spelman and co-sponsored by Council Member Sheryl Cole.
The resolution calls on the city to partner with Bank on Central Texas, a program of UWCA and PeopleFund, to promote access to financial products tailored for those who do not have or do not use bank accounts, and provide them with financial education and capacity building.
"There’s a domino effect at work: nearly 150,000 households in Austin rely on alternative financial services to manage their basic living expenses," said Spelman. "And more than a third of this group has to borrow just to pay their rent or utility bill. With interest rates averaging around 400 percent, people are borrowing five or six times just to pay off that original utility bill. So, it’s important for the City of Austin to take a leadership position and create opportunities to break that cycle."
To find out more about services offered by Bank on Central Texas, visit www.bankoncentraltexas.org.
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Friends and Partners
H-E-B Employees Raise $1 Million for Annual Campaign
H-E-B employees kicked off this year’s campaign season by pledging more than $1 million to benefit local United Ways in Central Texas, including UWCA. UWCA’s campaign season is now in full swing with more than 400 companies (both large and small) contributing at their workplace. UWCA’s fundraising goal this year is $14.5 million.
To thank H-E-B partners, UWCA hosted a "Thanks A Million" event on Oct. 26 at the Hancock Center H-E-B complete with celebrity and guest baggers. "We like to say we’re in the business of growing philanthropists through our workplace campaigns," said Debbie Bresette, President of United Way Capital Area. "This is an encouraging way to start our campaign and raise the $14.5 million needed to move us forward in continuing our efforts to create community change and improve the lives of those in need."
Smashing their previous giving record, thousands of H-E-B employees from 54 stores in Central Texas counties gave $1,029,974.02 – a nearly 25 percent increase from 2009. This million-dollar gift is a prime example of H-E-B’s "Helping Here" slogan.
"I’m humbled and proud of the continued generosity of our
H-E-B Partners (employees) through these challenging economic times. They work hard to take care of the needs of our customers both inside our stores, and outside in the community. It’s important to recognize that this employee-driven pledge by our Partners is separate and in addition to our corporate giving to United Way. This was driven completely on the ground level, by motivated and giving Partners who greet customers at our stores every day," said Jeff Thomas, Senior Vice President and General Manager, H-E-B Central Texas Region.
Nordstrom Goes GaGa for UWCA
Nordstrom is known in Austin for giving back in style, and this year the company took it to a new level. Among the employee events this year was a drawing for Lady Gaga concert tickets, jeans day and an auction. Every Nordstrom employee attended a UWCA meeting to hear about opportunities to give back and had the choice to make a pledge.
The Nordstrom Barton Creek Mall and Nordstrom Rack location collectively raised more than $47,000 for UWCA, a $10,000 increase from last year’s campaign. Thanks Nordstrom!
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In this issue
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Living United
“I have been privileged to work with UWCA for over a decade. The staff is a constant source of inspiration and they work tirelessly on behalf of our community. They have built tangible collaboration between nonprofit leaders along with State, County, City and Community leaders to divide and conquer for the maximum community impact. UWCA is walking the talk in how they operate, partner and enable positive change.”
- Heather Brunner
Chief Operating Officer
Bazaarvoice
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Your Impact
1 in 5 Austin families are worried this holiday season – they live in poverty. Of these, 27 percent are children under 18. Last year, programs and services offered by UWCA and its partners reached more than 31,000 families, children and individuals. A donation to UWCA can help these families. Click here to Donate Now.
And, THANKS!
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By the Numbers
Did you know that a family of four without employer-sponsored insurance needs about $53,000 a year to live in Austin? Last year, UWCA helped more than 17,000 families and individuals increase and maximize their income, as well as build savings and assets, through our Income focus area. Services such as job training, educational programs and financial coaching are used to help individuals and families increase their ability to become more financially stable.
To learn more about the impact you can make by giving to UWCA, click here.
Ask Debbie
What role do volunteers play in the Community Investment Grant process?
“Volunteers play a vital role in reading, scoring and evaluating applications and making recommendations for grant funding. You can be a critical part of UWCA’s 2011 Community Investment Grant process by volunteering for a Community Impact Review Team. We are currently looking for 300 volunteers to participate in reviewing administrative/fiscal applications or program applications.
To learn more or visit, www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/CIG and scroll to #7 Resources for Volunteer Reviewers.“
- Debbie Bresette, President,
United Way Capital Area
Let me know what's on your mind.
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