Community Needs and The United Way Impact
United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties (UWJWC) is a local, non-profit organization that brings people, health and human service agencies, government entities, and community groups together to help our friends, family members, and neighbors who are in need.
UWJWC researches community needs and works with local government entities, human service organizations, community leaders, donors and service organizations to address pressing community needs. We make sure donations are spent wisely, through our volunteer–driven fund distribution process. The United Way provides a forum where concerned citizens can tackle community problems together.
We build a strong community for families, friends, neighbors, men, women, seniors, children, teenagers, and people with disabilities by directing donations to services that help people when they need it.
Learn More about How United Way Impacts Our Community in the following Areas:
Community Impact Council
The Community Impact Council is responsible for reviewing and evaluating funding applications submitted by United Way’s partner agencies, attending agency site visits, and meeting with all council members to determine funding allocation recommendations which are submitted to the United Way Board.
If you are interested in joining the Community Impact Council, please contact Wendy Nolan at wendy.nolan@unitedwayjwc.org or 319-338-7823 and complete the online application:
Purpose
Actively participate in United Way of Johnson & Washington County’s (UWJWC) efforts to identify and achieve key results necessary to positively impact community conditions.
Responsibilities
- Promote an atmosphere of mutual trust with UWJWC Partners and recognize the significance of their programs and services to UWJWC’s mission
- Maintain confidentiality
- Attend and participate in scheduled Community Impact Council trainings & meetings
- Attend and participate in UWJWC Partner Agency site visits
- Work through appropriate channels for communication with UWJWC Partners
- Assess and thoroughly analyze all matters brought before the Council
- Review all Partner Agency application documentation
- Review and score each Partner Agency application with consistency
- Provide and ensure objective and fair funding recommendations, according to available funding and review, to the UWJWC Community Investment Committee
- Serve as an ambassador and advocate for UWJWC in the community
- Participate in annual UWJWC campaign
Time Commitment
- Approximately 5 hours per month, including meetings, application review, application scoring, and other activities
- More concentrated time will be required during September through February
- Three-year terms with a limit of 2 consecutive terms*
*UWJWC reserves the right to discontinue a volunteer’s term of service if the volunteer is unable to fulfill responsibilities.
Desired Skills & Abilities
- Belief in UWJWC mission and vision for its future
- Willingness to engage in productive discussions
- Commitment to serving the community and to become involved in community issues
- Ability to actively listen and communicate within a group
Accountability
Community Investment Committee of the UWJWC Board of Directors
Staff Support
Community Impact & 55+ RSVP Coordinator Director of Community Impact & Engagement
July - August
- Joint Funding Application released during July and due mid-September
- Community Impact Council team finalized
August - September
- Community Impact Council training begins
- Community Impact Council starts funding application review
September - February
- Agency Site Visits by focus area teams (schedule determined by team availability and agency selection)
March
- Partner Agency final application reviews and scoring submitted at the beginning of March
- Site Visit Teams meet to discuss site visits and information to present to other focus area teams
- Impact Council Meeting 1 to discuss site visits, applications, questions, and community priorities
- Impact Council Meeting 2 to determine the investment recommendations
April
- Investment recommendations reviewed by Community Investment Committee during April meeting and recommendation provided to the United Way Board
- Investment recommendations reviewed, finalized, and approved by United Way Board during the April United Way Board Meeting
Council Members
Aaron Hicks, GreenState Credit Union
Barbara McFadden, Community Leader, Retired
Diana Kremzar, University of Iowa
Erin Pottebaum, Iowa Heartlanders
Jill De Young, Hills Bank
Kurt Winnike, CIVCO Medical Solutions
Lori Swartzendruber, ACT
Laura Taylor, Woofables, The Gourmet Dog Bakery
Mashawny White, MidWestOne Bank
Nancy Gray Langguth, University of Iowa College of Education, Retired
Tyesha Perry, Skogman Realty & Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City