United Way visit

Members of United Way of the River Cities visited Marshall University Thursday to share the actions of the nonprofit organization and its effect on the community.

Laura Gilliam, the nonprofit’s executive director, said the organization is dedicated to making the community a better place.

“We build communities, improve lives and make our contributions count,” Gilliam said.

United Way of the River Cities, based in Huntington, W.Va, services Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, and Mason counties in West Virginia and Lawrence County, Ohio.  The nonprofit supports organizations that address critical issues in the community.

 

United Way started in 1922 and financially supported other nonprofits that provided food, shelter and clothing. In 2007, United Way expanded its focus to include addressing and preventing problems in education, health, income and safety net services. 

 

“We needed to collaborate and get to the source of these problems in order to prevent them and improve outcomes,” Gilliam said.

 

United Way of the River Cities selects organizations to fund through letters of intent and online applications. Community volunteers vote on organizations that will be funded and how much money will be allotted to each.

 

In order for United Way to support organizations, the nonprofit has fundraisers year-round. The nonprofit relies on donations from community members and organizations for revenue.

In the past, United Way has raised more than $1 million a year. This is the first year United Way has not reached this goal.

 

Will Holland, Director of Resource Development, said the organization is projected to receive a little more than $900,000 this year.

 

“United Way is now on a downward trend where less and less donations have been coming through the door, which will eventually really affect us as an organization,” Holland said.

 

Kaylin Adkins, Marketing Coordinator for United Way of the River Cities, said the organization has to constantly change its message and techniques in order to reach donors and reverse the downward trend.

 

United Way of the River Cities provides funding for 27 nonprofit organizations.