How We Work

United Way of Midland is focused on three focus areas: education, self-sufficiency, and health.

We work with a broad range of local partners such as government, businesses, residents and other service organizations to assess and identify the needs of the community. Based on these needs, United Way develops initiatives, supports collaborations, funds programs, convenes experts and fosters new and needed community services.

To ensure your contribution makes the maximum impact in our community, all aspects of our finances are subject to an annual independent audit.

Focus Areas

Our United Way is addressing Midland’s most critical needs with a goal of maximum impact. Our work is organized around the following three focus areas:

EDUCATION
We know how critical it is for our children to receive a quality education. It affects their ability to be successful in today’s world.

Education Community Outcomes:

• Children enter school with developmentally-appropriate social, emotional and intellectual skills.
• Students achieve academic success.
• Students graduate from high school and successfully transition to self-sufficiency.
• Youth are engaged, responsible, and contributing members of the community.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY
We believe families and individuals need to achieve economic stability and financial security in order to afford adequate and safe housing and meet their basic needs.

Self-sufficiency Community Outcomes:

• Individuals and families have the opportunity to achieve economic stability and financial independence.
• Individuals and families have the opportunity to live in adequate and affordable housing in safe neighborhoods.
• Individuals and families in crisis have access to responsive and effective emergency and basic need services.

HEALTH
We know that unless a person is healthy - physically, emotionally, and behaviorally - then the likelihood of achieving self-sufficiency and meeting educational goals is difficult.

Health Community Outcomes:

• Youth and adults avoid risky behavior.
• Individuals are physically healthy.
• Individuals and families are emotionally healthy.
• Individuals and families in crisis have access to responsive and effective health and counseling services.

United Way of Midland Program Funding

Each year, the United Way of Midland accepts applications for funding from local nonprofit health and human service organizations and the Community Investment committee oversees the annual investment process. Volunteer Panels review applications for funding by studying program and budget information and conducting on-site visits. The committee then brings the panel recommendations together in a cohesive, consistent manner and presents them to the United Way Board of Directors for approval.

2011-2012 United Way of Midland Funded Programs by Focus Area

Community Collaborations

To achieve the identified community outcomes, United Way of Midland is becoming increasingly involved in many community initiatives. In 2010, United Way of Midland collaborated with the following community organizations, committees and programs:

• 211 Advisory Committee
• Afterschool Childcare Advisory Council
• Coats for Kids
• Criminal Justice Advisory Committee
• DSHS Ready or Not? Community Preparedness Event
• Education/Workforce Taskforce
• Familywize Prescription Card Program
• Funders Roundtable
• Generations Project
• Global Leadership Summit
• HEB Feast of Sharing
• Homeless Coalition
• Midland Asset Building Coalition
• Midland Chamber of Commerce
• Midland Coalition
• Midland County FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program
• Nonprofit Management Center
• Oral Health Coalition
• Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
• The Whole Child: A New Direction in Education
• US Census Complete Count Committee