United Way of Northwest Arkansas

HOW WE LIVE UNITED.2008 Annual Report

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LIVE UNITED What does “LIVE UNITED” mean? Finding Key Community Indicators

GIVE Gifts in Kind Local Restaurants Give Back Masons’ How to LIVE UNITED Event Celebrating our Leadership Givers Campaign 2009 NWA Naturals Partnership Raymond James Financial Homeless Initiative Grant

ADVOCATE New Partner Lends Voice Arkansas 2-1-1 Goes Live Local Partners Help Spread the Message Colliers International Donates Special Ads

VOLUNTEER Day of Caring - A Day of Volunteer Service Young Leaders Society Gives Time Volunteers Collect Supplies and Help Stuff the Bus United Way Staff Answers Call of Service 2008/09 United Way Volunteers

ADVANCING THE GOOD OF ALL Community Investment Fund United Way’s 2007/08 Financial Statements

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTDear Community Investor,

Now is the time to seize opportunity. Since the inception of the United Way of Northwest Arkansas nearly two years ago, the staff, board and volunteers have been working to do just that. While we have made great strides in addressing the local issues, it is not enough. Too many people in Northwest Arkansas don’t have access to the building blocks for a good life: a quality education that leads to a productive career, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.

A year ago, we were given a great new tool in which to better communicate the needs of Northwest Arkansas.

That tool is the LIVE UNITED movement. Launched in the spring of 2008, this is the most far-reaching call to action in the United Way’s history. LIVE UNITED is both a challenge and a promise. As people begin to commit to living united by giving, advocating and volunteering through United Way, we can advance the good of all, by reaching out a hand to one.

Most importantly, we can change lives.

In the next year, you will see United Way of Northwest Arkansas taking steps to more effectively address the issues that most effect people’s lives. We will be working to set bold goals, and select and build the programs and initiatives we need to achieve them. We will take the effective work we have been doing to the next level.

With your support we will continue to build a stronger community through work like those outlined in this annual report, and together, united, we will inspire hope and create opportunities for a better life for all.

Sincerely,Jill DarlingPresident and CPOUnited Way of Northwest Arkansas

WHAT DOES “LIVE UNITED” MEAN?It’s a credo, a mission, a goal.

A constant reminder that when we as individuals think outside ourselves, we have the power to facilitate change. When we think of others lives as linked to our own, our compassion grows. When we reach out a hand to one we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.

More, it is a command: to Give, to Advocate, to Volunteer.

Because united, we stand. United, we elevate. United, we persevere. United, we move through. Above. And beyond.

United, we can change what we see in our world.

The bottom line, LIVE UNITED is about the power of unity.

In order for the United Way of Northwest Arkansas to truly embrace the LIVE UNITED movement, staff and volunteers needed to better understand our community and the needs it faces.

As part of that effort, the 2008 Community Indicators Report – A Quality of Life Assessment was produced in partnership with the Community Care Foundation, the Jones Trust, and the University of Arkansas’ Community and Family Institute.

This report, which is available on our website at unitedwaynwa.org/community.asp, is the first step in discovering our community’s most critical needs in the areas of education, income and health.

FINDING KEY COMMUNITY INDICATORS

N E V E R D O U B T T H A T A S M A L L GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN

CHANGE T H E WORLD. INDEED, IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.

MARGARET MEAD

photos courtesy of Celebrate Magazine and Hudson Photography

GIVE

GIVING IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF HOW YOU CAN LIVE UNITED. THIS

YEAR, ALONG WITH OUR TRADITIONAL PAYROLL DEDUCTION CAMPAIGN,

WE SOUGHT OUT AND WERE PRESENTED WITH NEW AVENUES OF

GIVING. ADDITIONALLY, THE UNITED WAY CONTINUED TO SUPPORT

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH GIVING IN NON-TRADITIONAL WAYS.

“I LIVE UNITED because I love Northwest Arkansas and I believe in the United Way’s mission to advance the good of all by creating lasting changes in education, income and health.”

- Kim Johnston, RRT, Northwest Medical Center

HOW DO I LIVE UNITED?

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One way that United Way gives resources back to the community is through our Gifts In Kind Warehouse. An estimated $15 million worth of product went through the warehouse this year. That entire product went to help organizations better serve the people in need in our community.

Without access to the Gifts In Kind Warehouse, local organizations would have to buy many of the supplies that are received through the warehouse. Through this program, we are helping local organizations save thousands of dollars; representing money that can go back to direct services.

Five restaurants in Northwest Arkansas worked with United Way this year as fundraising and promotional partners.

Early in the year, Maggie Moo’s in Fayetteville hosted a Celebrity Scoop Night where personalities from Fox 24 and the Cumulus family of radio stations came out to scoop ice cream. Ten percent of sales that night were donated to United Way.

Several restaurants held percent of sales events helping to promote LIVE UNITED Weeks during the last two weeks of November,

including Panera Bread Company, Jason’s Deli and Jose’s of Springdale.

Twice in 2008 HoneyBaked Ham partnered with United Way by giving a dollar per boxed lunch sold to companies or groups using a special order form. This event generated not only dollars, but awareness about United Way. In 2009, we will again partner with HoneyBaked Ham on this promotion.

GIFTS IN KIND

LOCAL RESTAURANTS GIVE BACK

GOODNESS IS THE ONLY INVESTMENT THAT

NEVER FAILS .

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Jeff Schomburger of Procter & Gamble headed up this year’s campaign efforts as the Regional Campaign Chair. Through his leadership, and the leadership of co-chairs Rich Kley, Don Devine, Ron Mooney, Dan Worrell, and the 33 members of the campaign cabinet, the 2009 campaign weathered many of the challenges presented by the tough economic climate.

More than $4 million was raised for the 2009 Community Investment cycle. This means that programs within the areas of education, income and health will once again be given flexible dollars which allow agencies to leverage an estimated $60 million in grant money.

CAMPAIGN 2009

Jim and Merry Lee Phillips graciously opened their home in October to help thank donors who are recognized as United Way Pillars by giving a gift of $1,000 or more.

The event was attended by nearly 175 leadership givers. Because of their generous leadership gifts, each attendee was given a recyclable grocery bag, and a LIVE UNITED t-shirt which shares with the community that they are Living United.

CELEBRATING OUR LEADERSHIP GIVERS

In May, Masons on Joyce partnered with United Way to host the “How to LIVE UNITED” fashion show was not your typical fashion show - instead we featured members of the community showcasing the ways they give, advocate or volunteer in Northwest Arkansas. All models donned the LIVE UNITED shirt with denim and accessories provided by Masons.

The event drew 150 people, gave us a great new avenue to promote the work of United Way and raised nearly $10,000 for community initiatives.

MASONS’ HOW TO LIVE UNITED EVENT

This year, we were fortunate to receive a grant from Raymond James & Associates to help us focus on the homelessness problem in Northwest Arkansas. This $31,000 grant was matched through existing United Way funds to bring the total Homelessness Initiative Grant to $62,000.

Through a partnership with the University of Arkansas’ Community and Family Institute, the United Way is investing this money in a multi-pronged approach aimed at better understanding the make-up of the

homeless population, in addition to investing in programs that work towards creating a better continuum

of care for that segment of our community.

Learn more about this multi-pronged approach online at unitedwaynwa.org/ourwork.asp.

An exciting new partnership emerged in 2008 with the introduction of the Double-A minor-league baseball team, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

When the Naturals held their inaugural workout, the team invited United Way of Northwest Arkansas to be a part of that initial introduction to the community by encouraging donations to United Way to see the Naturals in action before the first home game.

The partnership continued throughout the year with the participation of Strike, the Naturals Mascot, in the Masons’ How to LIVE UNITED fashion show and into the season where United Way was twice a recipient organization for the teams Launch-A-Ball promotion.

This is a partnership that promises to continue in 2009 and for years to come.

NWA NATURALS PARTNERSHIP

RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATESHOMELESS INITIATIVE GRANT

ADVOCATE“I LIVE UNITED because I give to United Way. . . United Way makes a difference in families’ lives, bringing smiles to the faces of hungry children, wiping tears off those that feel destitute and alone and lightening the burden of those overwhelmed by society’s needs.”

- Carlos Briones, HR Mgr, Cargill

Recipient of the 2009 LIVE UNITED - Advocate award

HOW DO I LIVE UNITED?

ANOTHER WAY TO LIVE UNITED IS TO USE YOUR VOICE IN SUPPORT OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR WE HAD SEVERAL COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT USED THEIR UNIQUE VOICES TO ADVOCATE FOR UNITED WAY.

photo courtesy of Celebrate Magazine and Hudson Photography

When United Way introduced the LIVE UNITED social movement, we needed to find a partner to take partial ownership in helping to promote our cause.

In April, Fox 24 invited the community to LIVE UNITED by broadcasting a live 30-minute special that asked people to get involved.

Since then, Fox 24 and main anchor Dana Sargent, have continually given the United Way avenues in which to promote and invite people to the LIVE UNITED movement. Public service announcements, on-air interviews, and the ability to utilize Dana at special events, are just a few examples of the amount of exposure Fox 24 has provided to United Way in 2008.

In November, United Way promoted LIVE UNITED weeks in the community. Along with many restaurants finding ways to support United Way financially during this time, a few companies and organizations lent their support in a different way.

Companies and organizations in high-traffic areas posted banners to promote the LIVE UNITED message. JB Hunt, Sage Partners, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Procter & Gamble, and the City of Siloam Springs are all groups that helped promote the LIVE UNITED message.

NEW PARTNER LENDS VOICE

LOCAL PARTNERS HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE

Throughout the year, Colliers International utilized the real estate signs placed in high-traffic areas in Northwest Arkansas to post LIVE UNITED ads for six-weeks at a time.

This forward-thinking approach to advocacy gave the United Way a great opportunity to promote the LIVE UNITED movement through an avenue that would have been otherwise unavailable without this great partnership.

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL DONATES SPECIAL ADS

NO ONE IS USELESS IN THIS WORLD WHO LIGHTENS THE BURDENS OF ANOTHER.

CHARLES DICKENS

After years of United Way of Northwest Arkansas staff and volunteers being the lead advocates to bring 2-1-1 to Arkansas, the 24/7/365 service was introduced in early May.

Governor Beebe made the first official call and since then the service has been connecting people with needs to the those that can give help. For more information on this service visit www.arkansas211.org.

ARKANSAS 2-1-1 GOES LIVE

VOLUNTEER

ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES IN THE LIVE UNITED MOVEMENT IS LENDING A HAND TO YOUR COMMUNITY THROUGH VOLUNTEERING. ALL OF US HAVE SOME MUSCLE, A SPECIAL TALENT, OR JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO HELP INFLUENCE THE CONDITION OF ALL IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. AS AN EXTENSION OF THE UNITED WAY’S VOLUNTEERNWA.ORG WEBSITE, IN 2008 A HIGH VALUE WAS PLACED ON MOTIVATING THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS INCREASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

“United Way of Northwest Arkansas affords many people a chance to live life and not merely exist. So, it is my pleasure to support United Way. . .and join with others in our community to give people a real chance at life. That’s how I LIVE UNITED.”

- Broderick Daniels, Human Resources Director, Arkansas Democrat Gazette

HOW DO I LIVE UNITED?

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As part of a continuing effort to promote volunteerism in Northwest Arkansas, the United Way once again hosted the annual Day of Caring in mid-April.

Non-profit organizations throughout the region submitted projects where medium to large groups could make an impact on their organization. More than 700 volunteers from nearly 50 companies participated in the 90 projects held on that one day in April.

This one day of volunteering meant that organizations saved an average of $870 per project, which ranged from large-scale landscaping to picking up local area parks.

In October, the United Way Young Leaders Society joined forces with Big House Youth Outreach for a Sunday makeover of that facility. The group painted, cleaned and remodeled the space to make it a more vibrant and welcoming location for kids to hang out in after school. After a long day of hard work, the group was encouraged to learn that their efforts resulted in lots of happy kids on Monday morning. The makeover was sponsored by the Panhellenic Council of the University of Arkansas.

DAY OF CARING - A DAY OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE

YOUNG LEADERS SOCIETY GIVES TIMEANYTHING DONE

FOR ANOTHER IS DONE FOR O N E S E L F.

BONIFACE VIII

As a staff, the United Way wanted to do more and give back to a local non-profit near our main office in Lowell. We coordinated with the Lowell Recreation Association, which provides seniors in our area with an opportunity each month to come together for a warm meal, and camaraderie.

For many of these seniors it is the one time a month they are around friends, and have the opportunity to socialize outside of their homes. The United Way staff wanted to help by serving lunch, and picking up and passing out part of the entertainment - bingo cards!

This is one way we, as a staff, try to embody the call to LIVE UNITED.

UNITED WAY STAFF ANSWERS CALL OF SERVICE

In late-July the United Way once again sponsored the Stuff the Bus initiative, collecting school supplies so local school kids can start the year prepared with all the supplies they need to be successful.

Once again, we set up school buses in front of local Walmart stores, and over the course of the weekend 300 volunteers donated more than 550 hours of time and collected 75,000 school supplies! These supplies went right to the local school system to ensure that kids who needed them received necessary items to start the school year off right.

VOLUNTEERS COLLECT SUPPLIES; HELP STUFF THE BUS

2008/09 UNITED WAY VOLUNTEERS2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2009 CAMPAIGN CABINET

2008 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PANEL

David Bean • Don Bechtel, Bechtel & Associates• Dennis Burns, Franklin Electric• Shawn Coker, Tyson Foods • Tara Cosgrove, Arvest - McDonald County • Don Devine, Procter and Gamble • Pepe Estrada, Wal-mart Stores, Inc. • Amy Farmer, UA College of Business • Tor Faulk, First Western Bank • Jim Fisher, Arvest-Bentonville • Johnny Harp, Lakeview Baptist Church • Roger Holroyd, Arvest-Siloam Springs • Dexter Howard, Life Harvester Church • Chuck Johnston, Wal-Mart Return Center#8098 • Ken Kimbro, Tyson Foods • Liz Kirkwood, Wal-mart Stores, Inc. • Anita Lawson, Woodland School-Fayetteville • Dick Levin, Triad Title • Mike Luttrell, Walker Brothers Insurance • Larry Manry, Bank of America • Steve Murray, Help Card • Chris Reed, Attorney • Ken Robertson, Retired • Jeff Schomburger, Procter and Gamble • Eric Scott, Jacobs Trading • Brian Shaw, Sage Partners • Kim Spencer, Arvest-Lowell • Terry Suen, TerrySuen Oil & Gas, LLC • Dawn Wall, Bank of Fayetteville

David Bean • Don Bechtel, Bechtel & Associates • Donnie Clark, Retired • Shawn Coker, Tyson Foods • Trey Coleman, A.G. Edwards & Sons • Debbie Crandall, Northwest Health • Broderick Daniels, Arkansas Democrat Gazette • William Douglas, P&G • Jerry Duncan, ARVEST Bank • Louise Dunnam, Retired • Tammy Engle, ARVEST Bank Siloam Springs • Pepe Estrada, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. • Tor Faulk, First Western Bank • Mitch Fincher, Signature Bank of Arkansas • Mike Fontana, Ozark Guidance • Danny Funkhouser, WMT PMDC • Larua Green, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. • Vicki Halley, Retired • Chris Hamibach, P&G • Bill Henley, Wal-Mart PMDC • Terra Hickman, Bank of Fayetteville • Matt Hicks, Liberty Bank of Arkansas • Belinda Hodges, J.V. Manufacturing, Inc. • Roger Holroyd, ARVEST Bank • Rich Holtquist, Kraft Foods • Sabra Jeffus, Bank of Fayetteville • Gerald Labadie, Siloam Springs Regional Health Coop. • Jennifer LaPerre, Mercy Health • Beverly Lescard, Signature Bank of Arkansas • Heather Lind, J.V. Manufacturing, Inc.• Nohemi Lopez, Metropolitan Bank • Nick Luchi, Glad Manufacturing/Clorox • Joyce Lynch, Harris McHaney • Larry Manry, Bank of America • Robert McMath, University of Arkansas • Mary Middleton, Wal-Mart Realty • Kathy Myers, ARVEST Bank • Beverly Nenstiel, ARVEST Bank Siloam Springs • Linda Nida, Metropolitan Bank • Mary Ann Owens, Gates Corp. • Ben Ragsdale, Tullius, Taylor, Sartain, & Sartain • Peg Richards, Wal-Mart PMDC • Rick Roop, Tyson Foods • Joel Sanders, Colliers International • Austin Simpson, Bank of America • Brittany Skaggs, GE Money • Claudia Smith, Superior Industries International • Shonna Smith, Tyson Foods • Michael Solomon, City of Lowell • Rose Sparrow, NWACDC - Arkansas Workforce Ctr. • Kim Spencer, ARVEST • Jacqueline Stites, ARVEST Asset Management • Marde Swigart, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.• Faith Vargas, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. • Jason Vogel, Apprentice Information Systems • Rachel Weber, NARTI

Carolyn Allen, University of Arkansas • Dr. Scott Bell, Scott C. Bell - General Dentistry • Gary Bennett, Harps Food Stores • Stephen Bowman, Rogers Public Schools • Chris Child, Community Volunteer • Tara Cosgrove, Arvest Bank • Jeff Cude, Bank of Arkansas •Rick Daniel, Metropolitan National Bank • Wendy Davidson • Don Devine, Procter & Gamble • Jack Doshier J.B. Hunt • Becky Gibbs, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. • Martha Guirl, University of Arkansas • Jonathon Guthrie, Bentonville Public Schools • Chris Haimbach, Procter & Gamble • Jim Hall, Northwest Arkansas Community College • Margaret Hall, Community Volunteer • David Harrison, First National Title • Polly Anne Ingerson, Northwest Medical Center • Rich Kley • Ryan Langston, Lightning Electric • Rose Lawrence, City of Springdale • Eric Lesh, Arvest Bank • Jason Minton, Chiquita Brands • Ron Mooney, State Farm Insurance • Marcia Overby, University of Arkansas • Kristy Rockford, Arvest Bank • Rick Schaeffer, Springdale Public Schools • Jeff Schomburger, Procter & Gamble • Tara Schultz, Kimberly-Clark Corporation • Judy Schwab, University of Arkansas • Mike Shupe, CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. • Rick Sorrell, Procter & Gamble • Shelle Summers, Rogers/Lowell Chamber of Commerce • Ed Wheeler, City of Bentonville • Chris White, Simmons First Bank • Christie White, University of Phoenix • Alan Wilbourn, Fayetteville Public Schools • Chrissy Wilburn, Procter & Gamble • Robbie Wilkinson, Arvest Bank • Jeremy Woody, Simmons First Bank • Dan Worrell, Walton College of Business

ADVANCING THE GOOD OF ALL

Today, more than ever United Way is working to address the issues Northwest Arkansas cares about most. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes. We believe that all people in Northwest Arkansas deserve the opportunity to have a better life. When any one of us succeeds, we all suceed. At United Way we refer to it as “advancing the good of all”.

The investments you make in your community are helping United Way create these successes by focusing on the building blocks for a good life - a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement and good health.

As an investor, you are part of the change. Together, united, we are inspiring hope and creating opportunities for a better tomorrow.

That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.

THINK OF GIVING, NOT AS A DUTY, BUT AS A PRIVILEGE. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND$3.35 MILLIONStarting in April of 2008, more than 70 volunteers from across the region came together to evaluate programs within the three core building blocks for a good life - education, income and health.

As part of the Community Investment process, they looked at health and human service programs reaching out to families and individuals and creating lasting-changes in their lives within these areas.

The chart is reflective of the investments made with the goal of producing results, and touching people’s lives.

WE OURSELVES FEEL THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS JUST A DROP IN THE OCEAN. BUT THE OCEAN WOULD BE LESS BECAUSE OF THAT MISSING D R O P .

MOTHER TERESA

UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS’ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

United Way of Northwest Arkansasserving Benton, Madison, McDonald & Washington Counties

Some of the United Way of Northwest Arkansas staff