Two United Way Groups Set To Merge
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Naperville United Way soon will join forces with the United Way of the DuPage Area.
The two announced Thursday that they plan to merge Oct. 1 in order to use their resources more effectively to support area health and human services agencies.
Twenty-one of the 30 agencies the Naperville group serves overlap with the DuPage group.
Naperville United Way president-elect Stephen Frost said he’s excited about the merger and believes it will be in the best interest of the community.
“This will allow us a significant amount of benefits from consolidating without interfering with the services that are provided to the Naperville community and Naperville residents and gives us the opportunity to grow those agencies and programs,” Frost said.
Naperville will have five representatives on the new board of directors and will be participating in the organization’s many committees. Mayor George Pradel has agreed to be an honorary board member.
As part of the merger, the DuPage United Way will create two new fundraising positions.
“For non-profits it’s always a competitive time,” said Christine Lewis, chief professional officer for United Way of the DuPage Area. “I think we both are strong leaders throughout our areas and realize the nature of hard economic times for folks and we just want to think ahead of how we can really serve the residents of Naperville … and this is the best opportunity we have.”
Together, the two groups said they will be able to invest $4 million into the communities they serve.
The agencies that don’t already overlap with the DuPage group, such as KidsMatter and Loaves and Fishes Community Food Pantry, still will receive funding for another two years before they have to re-apply.
KidsMatter Executive Director IdaLynn Wenhold said she is not concerned about losing out on funding in the merger.
“We felt very good when United Way accepted us as a partner agency and we believe we’ll continue creating programs that will effectively help families raise healthy kids and are confident in the new merger … they will also understand the importance of organizations such as KidsMatter,” Wenhold said.
The merger will not affect the annual outdoor public art display this year. Garden sculptures will be placed around the city later this month and auctioned in September as planned. The program is in its eighth year and organizers hope to raise $100,000 for charity.
Frost said the program will be re-evaluated after the merger is complete.
United Way Groups To Merge, Naperville Organization Unable to Meet Funding Requests
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
By Paige Winfield pwinfield@scn1.com
After five years of flat donations, United Way of Naperville will merge with United Way of DuPage Area this fall.
Sluggish fundraising and rising needs in Naperville left the branch unable to meet its funding requests this year, said Naperville Board President Chip Downing. Of the $1.5 million in funding requests, the agency received this fiscal year, it was only able to distribute $925,000, he said.
“It’s a difficult climate for not-for-profits,” Downing said. “The campaigns we’ve had have been relatively flat, and the needs have risen. They haven’t been able to meet requests.”
Combining the two branches will make it easier for charities to apply for United Way funds. Of the 30 charities supported by Naperville, 21 also receive funding from DuPage. Now those organizations will only have to fill out one, not two, applications for United Way funds.
The merger also will bulk up fundraising abilities for the United Way DuPage Area by turning the agency into a central funding point, Downing said.
As three staffers leave the Naperville office, two new positions will be created at the DuPage office. The new employees will focus on expanding the endowment, gathering individual donations and promoting United Way’s most lucrative operation - its workplace campaign.
“There are some efficiencies that can be brought by combining the two agencies,” Downing said. “We expect additional funds to come out of this merger.”
Five Naperville board members will join the 19-member DuPage board after the merger takes place Oct. 1. Mayor George Pradel has agreed to act as an honorary board member.
Naperville United Way’s annual Garden Party - its most creative fundraising event - will still proceed as planned this year, but Downing could not say whether it will be continued in the future. Each year, local businesses donate sculptures that are displayed downtown through the summer and auctioned in September.
After United Way consolidated six area branches in 2004, Naperville was left the only separate agency in DuPage County. Downing said the seven Naperville-based charities receiving funds can expect support for at least one more year.
“We’re very confident this is the right thing to do for Naperville,” he said.
Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area Merge To Strengthen Human Services In The Region
May 8, 2008 | 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 08, 2008
Contact: Susan Fritz (630) 369-2508
Naperville United Way
Christine Lewis (630)645-6352
United Way of the DuPage Area
Naperville and Oakbrook, IL– Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area today announce their merger, which will be completed by October 1, 2008, to provide greater efficiency and add more resources to help local residents in their time of need. The new United Way of the DuPage Area will be the largest, most comprehensive in the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago system.
“We initiated this merger as part of our strategic imperative to better serve the people of Naperville,” said Chip Downing, board president of United Way Naperville and divisional senior vice president of Great American Insurance. “Not only does this consolidation add financial and people resources to supporting health and human service programs but it also makes it easier for our agency partners, who are stretched more than ever to provide help to individuals and families in need.”
The Naperville and DuPage United Ways support 30 and 44 agencies, respectively, 21 of which they both share in common; these agencies will now have a central point for funding requests and other support efforts.
“We are thrilled to hear that two of our most important community partners are coming together,” said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS, a leading agency that is funded by both United Ways. “Each of these United Ways is a leader in our health and human service work and this consolidation will make that work easier, giving us more time for collaboration instead of paperwork. With this streamlining, they can focus more on finding resources, which moving forward, may be one of our area’s most critical issues.”
“By consolidating these two strong organizations, we can streamline operations and devote more donor dollars to touch and improve more people’s lives,” said Walker Geyer, United Way of the DuPage Area board president and managing director of Capital Markets for Paramount Lodging Advisors. “Combining forces frees up staff time from administrative concerns to focus more time and energy on engaging our community to advance the common good.”
According to both United Ways, there is great overlap in the human service issues people in their communities face and the programs that best address them. With demographics shifts, the aging of the population and decreasing government funding adding more pressure for support, this consolidation allows United Way to proactively build resources and partnerships that help the combined communities flourish.
“What changes,” said Mr. Geyer, “is around simplifying processes and eliminating duplication. What doesn’t change is the local nature of our work, improving lives in the same communities we have always focused on.” These communities include Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glyn Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.
Mr. Downing said, “Together, we will invest more than $4 million in local health and human care programs in the coming year. Local volunteers in each of our communities will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs in each community.”
Mr. Downing also confirmed continuation of the annual garden sculpture program that has become a Naperville tradition. The 2008 launch is scheduled for 5:00 PM on May 15 at Edward Hospital where the preview party will feature this year’s sculptures theme, “Garden Party.”
United Way improves lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where their resources are needed most. People engage with United Way to give, advocate and volunteer in their community to advance the common good. Spanning 30 communities across DuPage County and beyond, United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human service programs in the region. By promoting education, income and health, United Way creates opportunities for people to live stable, healthy and independent lives.
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