Discretionary Dollars

Discretionary Dollars are invested back into our community through proven programs that help change lives, everyday.

Your United Way of Muskingum, Perry, and Morgan (MPM) Counties is advancing the common good by focusing on income, education, and health and investing in community programs that provide measurable results.  United Way of MPM is committed to being the driving force to improve the quality of life in the tri-county region.  To achieve these results, United Way of MPM has partnered with individuals, businesses, and government entities to invest $880,496 in the tri-county area this year.

Your United Way of MPM will invest $400,000 of undesignated income from last year’s campaign.  In addition, we are investing $130,368 that individuals designated for specific agencies and $117,897 in other community and agency initiatives including Morgan and Perry County Step into Schools, 211, and the Financial Stability Partnership.

2011-2012 funding levels are as follows:

  • American Red Cross (Muskingum Valley Chapter): $61,677 for Emergency Services, Blood Services, and Health and Safety
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties: $3,823 for Youth Mentoring
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters (serving Muskingum, Guernsey, and Morgan Counties): $50,322 for Youth Mentoring
  • Boy Scouts, Muskingum Valley Council: $36,882 for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
  • Catholic Social Services: $35,664 for Payee Services
  • Christ’s Table: $15,214 for Homebound Meal Delivery
  • Eastside Community Ministry: $56,220 for Emergency Relief and Youth Program
  • Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council: $11,221 for Girl Scout Leadership Experience
  • Morgan Behavioral Health Choices: $9,842 for Student Assistance Services
  • Morgan County Senior Center: $8,672 for Homemaker Assistance
  • Muskingum County Literacy Council: $2,563 for Read to Your Bunny
  • Muskingum Family Y: $27,109 for Camp Nuhop, Swim Lessons/Water Safety, and Youth Social Development and Financial Assistance
  • The Salvation Army: $47,165 for Emergency Shelter, Soup Kitchen, and Homelessness Prevention
  • Zanesville Civic League: $33,626 for the Youth Program

Blair Tom, Assistant Director of the Muskingum Library System, and Chair of the 2011 United Way of MPM Investment Committee, states “The United Way Investment Committee is comprised of 10 community volunteers who bring a variety of perspectives, experiences and expertise to the process. Applications are reviewed and interviews are conducted with agencies and organizations applying for investment. Each application is scored and investment is recommended based on the application’s score. In my mind, the Committee strives to practice what Eli Broad refers to as ‘venture philanthropy’. We look at program results, outcome measurements, status reports, and budgets to assure we recommend investment in what will yield the best return on the donor’s investment in United Way and deliver the most significant community impact in ‘what matters’ as identified by the communities we serve.”

Committee members are:
Kelly Ashby, Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce
Tori Gable, First National Bank of McConnelsville
Barbara Gibbs, Century National Bank
Mary Jane Shackelford, Barnes Advertising
Jody Spencer, Century National Bank
Blair Tom, Muskingum County Library System
David Weinberg, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Dr. Dotty Welch, Zane State College
Marcy White, Community Volunteer
Wayne Wycoff, Huntington Bank

Meg Deedrick, United Way of MPM Executive Director, stated, “Our work is not finished. We are continuing to partner with community agencies and programs to identify unmet needs and potential resources.” She continues, “The recommendations being made are a true representation of the balance of investing in programs that meet and solve problems today and those which are working toward minimizing problems in the future. Our community has identified three basic things we need to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community: a quality education that leads to a stable job, income that can support a family, and access to affordable healthcare. Our United Way of MPM is implementing this directive.”

For further information, contact Meg Deedrick at 740-454-6872 or email at mdeedrick@unitedwayofmpm.org

 

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