United Way of Larimer County

Funders Fair brings dollars into our community
Fort Collins Coloradoan
August 16, 2003
Columns

As funds become more scarce, the challenges are mounting for United Way.

It’s hardly news that a down economy is causing cut backs to many things not mandated by law – including funding for crucial non-profit programs. Government (State and Federal), business and individual donations are proving harder to come by; but what can United Way do about this?

Well, we simply cannot continue to do ‘business as usual’. We need to be proactive in looking for new and unique ways to bring much-need money into the community, and to ensure the survival of non-profit health and human service programs.

For six months, United Way worked with the Community Resource Center, the Bohemian Foundation, McKee, the Community Foundation, the Erion Foundation, the GIL foundation, First National Bank, Union Colony Bank, Center Printing and Graphics, and United Way of Weld County to bring to Northern Colorado a Funders’ Fair, which was held at the McKee Medical Center in Loveland last month. The idea of the Fair was to introduce funding organizations based in the Denver area to our local agencies. By connecting these organizations, we hoped to encourage new relationships and increase the chance of bringing in donations from as-yet untapped sources.

The Fair was a tremendous success. Thirty-two funding organizations met with many local non-profit agencies, exchanging needs and information. Many of the funding organizations had been previously unaware of the specific needs of Larimer and Weld Counties. Many agencies came away encouraged to submit grant proposals to various funders and excited about new possibilities.

"It was incredibly valuable," said Samantha Murphy, United Way of Larimer County’s Community Impact Director. "It was a chance us to educate funders about the needs of Larimer County residents and bring resources to our community through new funding to existing programs."

United Way not only took a leadership role in organizing the event, but also presented the need for a year-round day shelter in Fort Collins. Although the Mennonite Church offers a temporary daytime shelter during winter months, the community needs a more permanent shelter that expands services to include case management, therapy and health care. Last winter over 550 people visited the shelter looking for help. Our vision is for more than just a quick fix, but rather a place that will help people get out of the state of homelessness and give them the tools to find work and a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Whether it is expanding funding to existing programs or creating solutions for unmet needs in Larimer County, United Way continues to explore new ways to expand the safety net of services that supports community residents. The Funders’ Fair was a successful step in that direction.

- By Meg Brown a.k.a.: Sophie Waghorn

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