Three Local United Ways To Combine In Merger
Three Local United Ways
To Combine In Merger
DANBURY â Following a national movement toward consolidation within the United Way system, The United Way of Northern Fairfield County, United Way of Stamford, and Housatonic/Shepaug United Way will combine their operations to become United Way of Western Connecticut. The consolidation is expected to take place in 2007, with legal structures in place by July 1.
The new organization will be overseen by one Governing Board comprised of members from each community with up to six additional ad hoc members to provide expertise and perspective on a regional level. Three Community Councils, representing each of the locales, will continue to focus on local priorities, identifying community needs, building long-term funding sources, and allocating resources to local service human service programs.
A total of 15 towns will benefit from the merger: Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, Newtown, New Milford, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Stamford, Warren, and Washington. The new model will also allow for more seamless fundraising and donor-partner relationship management within the region.
June Renzulli, currently the president of United Way of Northern Fairfield County, will act as CEO of the new entity.
âWe are thrilled about this move,â said Ms Renzulli. âThis consolidated organization will engage leaders at the regional level â addressing critical issues such as early childhood support and affordable housing â while maintaining the community funding and initiatives that are so important on a local level.â
Under the new organization, dollars raised locally will be spent to address the needs important to that community. The local community councils will make funding recommendations to the governance board, and all donor restricted grants or gifts will remain subject to donor restrictions.
This new consolidated model is not unique. Just as corporations continue to refine efficiencies through consolidations, the entire United Way system is being transformed with a focus on impact, reputation, and growth. Using the United Way of America community impact business model, integrated efforts will offer donors and stakeholders regional strategies to solve local community problems.