Collective Impact: What Will Change in 2017

Beginning Collectivein 2017, United Way of Bucks County will be making some improvements to the current community investment strategy.

These improvements will allow us to make a more meaningful and measurable impact on lives in Bucks County.

Moving to Collective Impact

We are moving to a “collective impact” model. Collective impact means that stakeholders representing many different areas (nonprofits, government, businesses, and members of the community) come together.

Together, this group forms a specific agenda to solve a problem and then collaborates to act on that agenda. The objective is to achieve significant and lasting change.

The agenda they develop will inform new 2017 RFPs for UW Bucks. This will create shared goals and outcomes, eliminate redundancies, and promote collaboration – rather than in competition – to address the greatest needs in our community.

What Will Be Funded

We will continue to explore key areas under the bigger umbrellas of education; income and financial stability; and health and wellness.

However, specific funding priorities for 2017 will be determined through a transparent and collaborative process that includes many partners.

Until we work through that process, we can’t say for sure what work will and won’t be funded in 2017.

Why the Change?

We (including our staff, board, and donors) work to improve lives in Bucks County.

We want to ensure that we are making a meaningful and measurable change in our community. That requires collective impact and results based accountability. We need to be able to say exactly what we are doing, how well we are doing it, and who is better off as a result.

Our move to collective impact will allow us to focus on the right things; develop the correct and shared measures and outcomes among partners; and have shared accountability for goals.

What Happens to Currently Funded Programs?

Current partners will have their funding extended by 4 months. They will also be part of our work groups so they can help define areas of greatest need and greatest opportunity in Bucks County.

Any currently funded partner whose work addresses the needs and opportunities highlighted in the 2017 RFP will be eligible to apply for funding.

Is There Room for New Partners?

Moving to a collective impact model means that there will be more opportunities to collaborate with new partners.

Nonprofits interested in becoming part of a shared agenda will be welcome to participate in work groups.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Uhler at mattu@uwbucks.org or 267.231.4199. He will be able to answer questions or direct you to the right contact.

UNITED WE FIGHT. UNITED WE WIN.

Join us in changing lives in Bucks County for good by making a donation today. Donations can be made online or by mailing a check to, United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Blvd., Fairless Hills, PA 19030.