In 1887, a group of five people created an organization that raised $21,000 in the year for local charities, coordinate relief services, counsel clients and emergency assistant grants. The movement spread through the country and became United Way.
United Way of Moscow/Latah County funds 15 non-profit organizations in the region. Applications for organizations are on the website and due May 1.
These organizations re-apply with any new agencies that don’t currently have funding from United Way, said Whitney Mueller, United Way of Moscow/Latah County secretary. Mueller said the application is a couple pages long and requires budget information and what the organizations will use the money for. Some agencies also include success stories, such as people who survive and overcome a domestic violence attack with the help of an advocate through Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, she said. Agencies will also have to meet with the selection committee May 15 and 16 for about 30 minutes each.
Quarterly meetings are held to hear what is going on with each of the agencies and distribute checks to each organization, Mueller said.
“It’s a time for networking and to see what’s going on. For us to support each other, work together … this agency might benefit this other agency and to see the challenges that they are each going through,” Mueller said.
Guests are allowed to attend quarterly meetings to become more informed of what is going on with the non-profit organizations. Contact Cretia Bunney, executive director of United Way of Moscow/Latah County at [email protected], for moew information.
Bunney said she works with United Way because she can’t afford to support all the good causes in the world — so she gives her time instead of dollars to each cause.
United Way depends on annual employee contributions for funding the agencies. Organizations such as Avista and the University of Idaho give employees the option to pledge $5 from their paycheck or $100 a year, Mueller said.
“Five dollars may seem like a little too some people but it’s a book for a little kid,” Mueller said. “If you can get 10 people doing $5 a month, it just really adds.”
Fundraisers are held as well. The Celebrity Dinner, which was held in February, made United Way $7,600 this year, she said. Business people, doctors and personalities are asked to host a table with guests that they invited. The “celebrities” treat their guests to a gourmet dinner provided by The Breakfast Club. Guests give their servers large tips and a silent auction goes on, as well. Dash for Cash, a 5K run, will be held this year Sept. 22 at the Toyota dealership in Pullman.
Emily Aizawa can be reached at [email protected]