United Way now taking funding ideas

The United Way of Elgin recently announced the release of "Request for Proposals" for programs that address the following issues: getting kids ready to learn, helping kids stay in school to succeed, encouraging economically and emotionally stable individuals and families, and increasing residents' involvement in their neighborhood's well-being.

The United Way of Elgin will accept funding proposals in the following manner: organizations submitting a proposal must have IRS 501(c)3 tax-exempt status, programs must address one of the target specifications and be able to demonstrate the ability to implement and evaluate the program outcomes. United Way encourages collaborative proposals with like-minded agencies that focus on achieving outcomes.

Proposals are due to the United Way office no later than 4 p.m. March 7.

A full packet with complete information is available on the United Way of Elgin's Web site at www.uwelgin.org or by calling Diane O'Connor at the United Way office at (847) 741-2259 or e-mailing doconnor@uwelgin.org.

In a significant departure from the past, funding is now open to all qualified nonprofits that meet United Way of Elgin's standards of accountability. This change comes as a result of more than two years of working through the all-volunteer Community Vision and Impact Councils to transition United Way from an organization that simply raises and distributes money to one that is focused on the community's most pressing issues and committed to targeting the underlying causes of these problems and developing strategies and partnerships that support long-term, sustainable change in community conditions.