November 2, 2021
For more information:
Joshua Lovejoy, PR Specialist
205.458.2045
BIRMINGHAM, AL- Visiting Allocation Teams (VATs) have completed the annual review of 71 United Way funded
agencies and programs in our six-county footprint. Through the VAT process, community volunteers examine the
effectiveness of the agencies by reviewing program outcomes, structure, and expenses in a fair and unbiased
manner.
With over 25 teams of 15-20 volunteers each, visiting allocation teams provide an opportunity for transparency to donors. Each year, United Way relies on over 500 volunteers to help make decisions about which community programs will be a good investment of the dollars raised during the annual campaign. Funding determinations will be finalized and announced in late December.
“We were particularly surprised this year, especially during the challenges we all faced with Covid, to learn that agencies not only maintained their vital services for the community, but really expanded in size when necessary to meet the growing needs during the pandemic. They didn’t skip a beat, and it certainly demonstrates the resiliency of our partner agencies and how vital United Way funding is to their operations.”
Kadie Peters, VP of Allocations and Grants.
The VAT process has traditionally taken months and included a detailed evaluation of agency programs and services, operations, needs, objectives, and financial data, as well as multiple in-person meetings, including site visits to member agencies.
VAT meetings, however, have entered a new phase in light of the COVID-19 pandemic by digitally linking volunteers and organizations.
“The virtual process still allows us to connect with the volunteers and present our case for continued
funding in the communities we serve. Tours are a vital part of our presentation, but our virtual testimonies from our clients still present a powerful opportunity to communicate our need to increase our services in 2022.”Gloria Howard, COO of Aletheia House, an organization that provides services for people with substance abuse disorders
The United Way of Central Alabama is grateful to this year’s VAT volunteers and hopes that volunteers will continue to be community ambassadors and serve on VATs next year. We appreciate all those who sacrificed their time to make this year’s VAT process a true success. This is simply another example of how we continue to LIVE UNITED.
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About United Way
United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.
United Way of Central Alabama serves Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties
by identifying some of our most critical immediate and long-term needs, then building and mobilizing
resources to address them through both direct services and United Way partner agencies. For more
information, visit uwca.org.