United Way of Central Ohio 2007 Annual Report

You. You change people’s lives. You strengthen the community. You build things. You fix things. You keep families safe. You help children learn. You heal people. You find them homes. You train them for jobs. You give people hope. And thanks to you, so do we.

Dear Friend,

It has been a year of great accomplishments at your United Way of Central Ohio. With the support and guidance of our volunteers and donors we have touched more lives than ever before.

In this annual report you will find specific information on the many ways United Way is building a stronger community here in central Ohio. You also will read the personal stories of people whose lives have been improved through our donors’ generosity. To ensure accountability and transparency we have included an overview of our financial information and a link to our website so you can view more detailed data.

As we have been working together to build a stronger community, we have been planning for the future. We have collaborated extensively, working to identify the most critical issues facing our community. These intense efforts have resulted in a new strategic framework.

The framework will be our roadmap as we move forward. We will track our results via specific performance measures, letting you know about the success we’re having while we monitor our progress.

United Way also will be adding greater flexibility to its program investment process. Beginning in early 2008, the funding process will be opened to eligible health and human services organizations in central Ohio that can help United Way achieve its mission. By re-energizing the funding process United Way will be able to fund the most innovative and effective solutions to address the root causes of our community’s most critical challenges.

We are energized by the new direction of our work. We are entering a time of greater possibilities and greater hope -- a time when the vision of a community in which everyone can reach their potential will move closer to reality.

Of course we cannot do this without you. As we move forward we need the strength of the entire community. Please continue to give United Way your support and understanding and together we can do what works and what matters.

Sincerely,

Monsignor Joseph HendricksChair, Board of TrusteesUnited Way of Central Ohio

Janet E. JacksonPresident and CEOUnited Way of Central Ohio

Strategic frameworkAfter nearly two years of planning and preparation, the United Way of Central Ohio Board of Trustees approved a new strategic framework for the organization’s future. The framework responds to Board and donor interest in producing even stronger community results that are sustainable over time, and monitored for success via specific performance measures. The framework addresses United Way’s mission of improving lives and building stronger communities through four areas of focus and nine community results.

Thousands of lives have been touched by our efforts and with the community’s help we can do even more. By working with the community to set goals and then applying proven strategies, United Way can make a lasting impact on the quality of life in central Ohio. The strategic framework is our roadmap for the future.

Vision

To build a community where everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their potential

Mission

To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.

Areas of Focus

Ensuring children and youthsucceed

Strengthening individualsand families

Building vibrantneighborhoods

Meeting emergency andshort-term basic needs

Community Results

• Young children enter kindergarten physically, emotionally, socially and cognitivelyprepared to succeed

• Youth graduate from high school well-prepared for additional learning andproductive careers

• People overcome barriers to accessing health and wellness services• People maintain healthy nutrition and physical fitness• People achieve financial stability

• People live in safe neighborhoods• People live in safe and decent housing

• People in crisis have access to emergency food, shelter and financial assistance• The community is prepared to respond to disasters and emergencies in a coordinated

and comprehensive way

Who we areMore than 80 years ago, concerned and compassionate citizens created what

became United Way of Central Ohio, to help people in need and, ultimately,

make our community a better place to live and work. Today, United Way repre-

sents the hopes and ambitions of thousands of central Ohioans and hundreds

of area employers who want to make a real difference by improving people’s

lives and building a stronger community. Together, we can accomplish more

than any one donor or charity can do alone.

United Way of Central Ohio no longer simply raises and distributes money

to non-profits. Instead, we focus on the underlying causes of our community’s

most pressing problems. Our history of leadership enables us to spearhead

comprehensive change by bringing people together to determine the root

causes of problems. United, we have the ability to do what it takes to achieve

permanent solutions, not quick fixes.

Why we are different

What we doThrough our community assessment, we bring people together to identify

the issues that matter most. Then, we research the problems, craft smarter

solutions, invest funds, deploy resources and evaluate the results. By leveraging

partnerships, government funding, grant support and people, we maximize our

impact and find the best, most cost-effective ways to respond to problems.

At United Way of Central Ohio, we measure our success by the lives we improve,

not the number of services we fund.

It works because of you. Without you, there would be no United Way. That’s why

we work hard to earn your trust every day, not just during our annual campaigns.

We use benchmark measurements and proven practices to ensure we are making

a difference. We set performance standards for the programs and services we

fund and measure the impact of each dollar contributed. Bottom line, together,

we deliver results that change lives because we know that’s what matters.

Why it works

United Way’s early learning initiative Start Smart has increased the quality of

early care and education by helping 89 local providers meet the demanding standards

required to achieve national accreditation. As a result, 20 percent of centers in central

Ohio are accredited, compared with 8 percent nationally.

United Way invests more than $4.2 million annually in after school and youth

development programs. Last year, more than 41,000 young people in central Ohio

participated in United Way-funded efforts that worked to reinforce educational goals

and success, develop positive social skills, improve relationships with adults and peers,

provide leadership development, and prevent risky behaviors.

United Way dedicated more than $3.1 million to support programs that help people

in crisis have access to emergency food, shelter and financial assistance. It helped

provide direct food assistance to more than 138,000 people, funded more than 51,000

nights in shelters, and helped leverage additional resources resulting in more than

336,000 nights of emergency shelter for homeless individuals and families.

United Way helped launch and lead the Franklin County EITC Coalition which

provided free tax preparation services to more than 1,700 households, allowing them to

receive $2.2 million. This money helps hardworking people build assets and financial

stability while strengthening the local economy.

United Way has helped create 772 units of permanent supportive housing for

formerly homeless adults through our longstanding partnership with the Community

Shelter Board in the Rebuilding Lives Initiative. This housing provides not just shelter

but links to vital services like food pantries, health programs and job training. Last year,

more than 90 percent of chronically homeless adults in Rebuilding Lives did not return

to emergency shelter.

Thanks to you

Stephanie’s four-year-old son Caleb seemed to be a late bloomer. He lacked self-confidence. He couldn’t focus. He didn’t like to be told what to do. Stephanie was afraid he’d be totally lost in kindergarten. Fortunately, she discovered the Born Learning program, a part of United Way’s Start Smart early learning program. Through Born Learning, parents learn how to increase kindergarten readiness by turning everyday moments into learning moments. And children get a better start in life. Today, Caleb is blossoming. He’s reading. He’s writing. And he’s got the confidence he needs to succeed.

United Way’s Start Smart initiative has improved the quality of early care and education for over 15,000 children.

United Way partnered with Community Properties of Ohio, which manages 1,000

low-income housing units across Columbus, to develop an innovative Community Hub

where residents can go and quickly and easily connect to services for their children and

themselves, including Head Start, immunizations and summer camp. One program has

reduced infant mortality rates and the number of low birthweight babies by half.

United Way’s Community Care Day is the largest single volunteering effort in central Ohio.

In September 2006, the event marked its 15th anniversary with over 4,700 volunteers from

75 local companies tackling more than 130 projects across the community. From improving

playgrounds to delivering meals to the homebound, volunteers pitched in to accomplish

in a single day what would otherwise have taken weeks of work, and over $400,000 dollars

in equivalent labor costs.

United Way partnered with Stonewall Columbus and Columbus AIDS Task Force to

design and conduct the first census of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT)

community in central Ohio. This groundbreaking census will provide up-to-date information

that will help United Way, its partners and the broader community better understand this

segment of the population.

United Way improved neighborhoods through The Neighborhood Empowerment Grant

program, which engaged almost 1,300 volunteers in 24 different community-based projects.

A total of $137,500 was invested in projects that focused on community outreach/involvement,

neighborhood identity, park improvements and health.

United Way is a founding partner of the Juvenile Justice Community Planning Initiative

which develops strategies that reduce racial disparities in the juvenile justice system. This

data driven approach has resulted in increased racial and ethnic data collection and a

cohesive approach to reducing racial disparities.

We do what works

Sometimes the road to a better life means making some tough choices. For Sha’Harra Jamison, it meant moving her family to a low-income neighborhood troubled by violence so she could afford to go to school full time. Fortunately, shortly after she moved in, Community Properties of Ohio Management Services (CPO) took over the property and things began to improve. The maintenance was better. Security and safety improved. And with assistance from United Way, CPO helped residents take advantage of social services to improve their lives and neighborhood. Today, Sha’Harra works full time for CPO, helping others become as self-sufficient as she is.

More than 100 CPO families received help from United Way-supported social services.

Why we need leaders like youOur most critical resource is people. It takes individual donors, volunteers, businesses, unions, government, and civic and social service organizations working collaboratively to achieve the kind of progress that makes a difference. It also takes the support of a special group of individuals who are inspired by what we can accomplish together and step up to a leadership role in charitable giving.

United Way Key ClubCelebrating its 10th anniversary, Key Club is a unique partnership of individuals within the African American community. Its mission is to advance United Way of Central Ohio’s work of

improving lives and building stronger communities. All African Amercian households that invest $1,000 or more may be recognized as Key Club members. And members are invited to participate in special members-only networking events, professional development opportunities, educational forums and community service projects.

United Way Young Leadership GroupYoung Leadership Group (YLG) is a group of donors, age 45 or younger, who want to make a difference in our community by encouraging their peers to join them in supporting United Way

of Central Ohio. Individuals or couples who contribute a household gift of $2,500 or more may be recognized as YLG members. Members are invited to attend monthly events designed to help them build their professional and social networks, develop as leaders in the community and connect them with established business and community leaders.

United Way Cinquefoil FellowshipThe Cinquefoil Fellowship is the latest addition to our leadership giving groups and is based on five core values: appreciation, recognition, education, advocacy and inclusion. The Cinquefoil

Fellowship recognizes individuals and couples who contribute between $5,000 and $9,999 per year to United Way of Central Ohio. Members benefit from special communications and events, including a kick-off in the fall and a special spring celebration.

United Way Tocqueville SocietyThe Tocqueville Society is a special partnership of individuals who invest at the following levels: Tocqueville Society ($10,000 - $24,999) , Tocqueville Vingt-Cinq Society ($25,000 - $99,000),

Tocqueville Premiere Society ($100,000+). Tocqueville Society members are recognized in the national Leadership Register. They may participate in special gatherings, luncheons and select social events, and are invited to monthly networking opportunities including the Tocqueville Arts and Culture Series.

anniversary10th

United Way helped bring 772 housing units on line with supportive services, to reduce the costs of homelessness in our community.

He had no place to live, no place to go. And he was addicted to drugs and alcohol. How does a 41-year-old man with no job and no support system even begin to turn his life around? Brett got help from the YMCA and Rebuilding Lives, a United Way-funded initiative that not only provides special housing for homeless adults, it also helps them with things like addiction recovery, training and education and employment opportunities. Brett got 10 months of train-ing, and today, he has a full-time job as an automotive technician. According to Brett, “I have a new job, a new attitude and a new life.”

n Operating Related and Other Expenses n Uncollectible Pledgesn Community Impact Program Investments and Initiativesn Community Impact Supportive Servicesn Donor Designations to Other UWs and Donor Choice Agencies

n Basic Needs n Educationn Housing, Safety and Neighborhood Developmentn Employmentn Healthn Other

11.7%7.2%

59.3%

1.7%

20.1%

10%

43%

13%

6%

27%

1%

2006 Campaign Investments - $54.6 Million Total Resources Raised

2007 -2008 Program Initiative Investments by Category

How your contribution makes an impactUnited Way of Central Ohio would not be a successful agent for change without the trust and confidence of donors and volunteers. To continue to earn that trust, we have established comprehensive accountability guidelines that are regularly reviewed by our Board of Trustees and finance committee. As part of our efforts to be both accountable and transparent in our operations, our annual audit and IRS Form 990 are available at our website www.uwcentralohio.org.

Becky Lewis knows about hard work. She’s a single mother who loads trucks on the graveyard shift, then goes home to take care of her two young boys. But when her car broke down, she couldn’t get to work to support her family. Thanks to a free tax service program led by United Way, Becky took advantage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, designed to reduce the burden on low-income wage earners by offering them a sizable refund. Becky was able to get a $5,400 tax refund – which she used to buy a desperately needed truck. So today, she can still support her family with a job – and a way to get there.

More than 1,700 low-income central Ohioans were able to maximize the amount of their tax refunds through the Franklin County EITC Coalition.

Board of Trustees Msgr. Joseph M. Hendricks, chair, Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare

Jerome R. Bahlmann, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP

John Bickley, YMCA of Central Ohio

David L. Caldwell, United Steel Workers District 1

Jonathan D. Dargusch, JP Morgan Chase

Karen Days, The Coalition Against Family Violence

Julia L. Dorrian, Franklin County Municipal Court

Brandon Dupler, Dupler Office

Robert W. Edmund, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP

Ivery D. Foreman, Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease

Michael Gonsiorowski, National City Bank

Tom Grote, Community Volunteer

Thomas Griesdorn, WBNS TV & Ohio News Network

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D, Columbus Public Schools

Patricia R. Hatler, Nationwide

Anthony Hebron, Battelle Memorial Institute

Rhonda Johnson, Columbus Education Association

Marshall Loeb, Glimcher Realty Trust

Timothy Miller, Crane Plastics Company

Gregory Overmyer, Hilb Rogal & Hobbs

Ann Pizzuti, Community Volunteer

Martyn R. Redgrave, Limited Brands

Jon Ricker, DSW Inc.

Nicholas Stanutz, Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

Susan Tomasky, American Electric Power

Kay Monroe Townsend, UPS

Claus P. von Zychlin, Mount Carmel Health System

Daniel J. Walsh, Cardinal Health

Becky Westerfelt, Huckleberry House

Anthony C. White, Thompson Hine, LLP

Walter L. Workman, Central Ohio AFL-CIO

Agencies and initiatives

Initiatives

African American Leadership Academy

After School Counts!

CARE Columbus

CPO Community Hub

Earned Income Tax Credit

Juvenile Justice Planning Initiative

Neighborhood Partnership Center

Project Diversity

Rebuilding Lives

Start Smart

Member Agencies

Action for Children

Alvis House

Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio

American Cancer Society

American Heart Association

American Red Cross of Greater Columbus

Arthritis Foundation

Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Central Ohio Inc.

Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council

Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus Inc.

The Breathing Association

The Buckeye Ranch

Catholic Social Services

Central Community House

Central Ohio Diabetes Association

Central Ohio Poison Center

Children’s Hunger Alliance

CHOICES

Clintonville Beechwold CommunityResources Center

Columbus AIDS Task Force

Columbus Early Learning Centers

Columbus Literacy Council

Columbus Speech & Hearing Center

Columbus Urban League

Columbus Works Inc.

Community Connection for OhioOffenders Inc.

Community Mediation Services ofCentral Ohio

Community Shelter Board

Directions for Youth and Families

Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio

FIRSTLINK

Girl Scouts-Seal of Ohio Council Inc.

Gladden Community House

Godman Guild Association

Goodwill Columbus

Heritage Day Health Centers

House of Hope for Alcoholics Inc.

Huckleberry House Inc.

J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center

Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus

Jewish Family Services

The Legal Aid Society of Columbus

LifeCare Alliance

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio

Maryhaven

Mental Health America of Franklin County

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ohio Buckeye Chapter

The Neighborhood House Inc.

New Directions Career Center

The Prevention Council of Central Ohio

Rebuilding Together—Columbus

Rosemont Center

St. Stephen’s Community House

St. Vincent Family Centers

Salesian Boys & Girls Club of Columbus Inc.

The Salvation Army

South Side Learning & DevelopmentCenter

South Side Settlement House

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Ohio

Vision & Vocational Services

VOICEcorps Reading Service

YMCA of Central Ohio

YWCA Columbus

Community Partners

Asian American Community Services

City Year Columbus

Communities in Schools Columbus

Community for New Direction

Community Refugee & Immigration Services

Community Research Partners

Drug-Free Action Alliance (KNOW!)

Education Council Foundation

GroundWork Group

Homes on the Hill CDC

Senior Independence

Village to Child, Ohio Dominican University

United Way of Central Ohio funds programs that work. We are proud to collaborate with these partners to create sustainable change and build a stronger community

We do what works. We do what matters.

360 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-5485Tel 614.227.2700 Fax 614.224.5835 TTY 614.227.2710

www.uwcentralohio.org