Community Investment
The entire Community Investment Process is driven by our Community Impact Model. From February through March, more than 70 volunteers dedicate more than 1,500 hours to the community investment process. With so many programs vying for funds, doing the job right requires an army of citizens on the march from early morning until late at night for about two months. These volunteers are organized into panels according to the four impact areas: Education, Financial Stability, Health and Emergency Assistance/Basic Human Needs.
The work of the panels begins as they learn how to evaluate programs according to the “outcome measurements,” then they read and evaluate applications, ask questions, and visit program partners. After the tours, the panels convene to discuss the program requests and make their recommendations. Then the panel leaders finalize the panel recommendations, which are then presented to United Way's Board of Directors.
Since incorporating the Outcome Measurements into our work beginning in 2005, the community investment application is no longer about what programs agencies have and how many people go through them, but how the programs have changed the lives of the clients and community. Our community partners have told us the outcome measurements has helped them to become better at what they do.
Community Investment Volunteers Honored
3-Year Awards
- Daniel Becksvoort, Chemical Bank
- Andrew Brown, County of Ottawa
- Tim Byerly, PADNOS
- Sarah Harrison, Community Volunteer
- Susan Klooster, Retired
- Jessica Lewakowski, Spring Lake Public School Student
- Bruce Rosensteel, Haworth
- Linda Scheerer, Pliant Plastics
- Aj Smith, Haworth
- Michael Wade, Retired
- Erin Zylman, PNC Bank
5-Year Awards
- Sandy Huber, Retired
- Kim LaVallee, Community Shores Bank
- Debra Mann, Grand Haven Public Schools
- Shawn McPherson, Shape Corporation
- Francis Sommers, Greenridge Realty
- John Stempfley, Huntington Bank
- Johnna Van Ness, Macatawa Bank
Thank you all Community Investment volunteers!
