In 2005, United Way developed its Community Impact Agenda with the purpose of mobilizing the Greater Grand Forks community to create sustained changes in community conditions to improve lives. As our organizations work on this agenda, the United Way Board has approved special Community Impact Grants.

Unlike the regular allocation process for United Way agencies where funds are provided for specific programs that benefit specific individuals, Community Impact Grants are intended to be broader in nature. These grants will be investments in efforts to combat community-wide problems that were identified through the CIAC (Community Impact Action Committees) process.

United Way is hopeful that the grants will be multi-partner collaborations designed to influence community attitudes, networks, organizations and systems. Community Impact Grants are investments in breakthrough opportunities or new approaches that may leverage other resources. They can include staffing for new programs, educational publications, or strategies such as events or public forums.

The United Way Board of Directors set aside $45,000 for the first year of Impact Grants. This small portion of over $800,000 in total funds is available for United Way Agencies, whereas the funds for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) are available for any health and human service agency in the Greater Grand Forks area.

The diagram below shows how United Way intends to allocate the funds raised from the 2005 campaign.

As the 2005 campaign moves closer to completion, the thermometer continues to fill. As of Feb. 2, 2006, $1,019,297.90, of the $1,175,000 goal has been raised, which places United Way at the 86 percent mark on the campaign thermometer.

Although this year’s campaign experienced setbacks due to many Hurricane Katrina fundraising efforts, local donors have met the challenge by maintaining or increasing their United Way donations and surpassing previous levels of giving.

American Crystal Sugar Company’s campaign raised $37,740, a 19 percent increase over last year. UND also reached a new record amount raised ($83,794), and many professional and local business divisions have surpassed 2004 giving levels. The Combined Federal Campaign (Grand Forks Air Force Base and other federal employees) also attained a significant increase over 2004.

Generous donations from individuals and the businesses in our community also helped offset a $50,000 reduction in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Overall, Shaun Havis, United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area’s Resource Development Director, feels good about this year’s campaign.

"Our thermometer really does not accurately reflect the local giving efforts. We have had an excellent year and have made a significant push towards reaching our campaign goal," said Havis. "We are actually looking at a one to two and a half percent increase over last year in donations if you exclude the CDBG reduction."

Havis said because of the uncontrollable factors surrounding the CDBG funding and Hurricane Katrina, the United Way would like to achieve last year's total raised of $1,144,000.

"Even though we may fall short of our goal, we are sincerely pleased with the community’s efforts," said United Way’s 2005 Campaign Chairperson, Mark Rios.

The campaign cabinet and volunteers deserve many thanks for their efforts during the campaign. They helped tremendously with the employee campaigns and will be honored for their assistance at the Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon on April 5.

There is still time (until March 31) to make a donation and have it count towards the 2005 campaign. You can contact United Way for a pledge card by calling (701) 775-8661, or simply mail a check to United Way, 406 DeMers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

Stay posted for more details about the campaign and luncheon on our web site!

The promotion gives local restaurants an opportunity to participate in the campaign and give back to the community, and also establishes a marketing partnership that gives the restaurants publicity through a Grand Forks Herald advertisement and the United Way web site. All of last year’s restaurants agreed to participate again, and Bonzer’s, a previous participant, also joined the promotion.

The bustling workshop, better known as this year’s Toys for Tots distribution, was well-stocked. Over 1,000 toys and winter items, such as hats, gloves and mittens, poured in from local individuals, businesses and organizations. The Toys for Tots Foundation and donations from Tesoro, Vanity and Toys ‘R’ Us provided over 1,000 toys as well, bringing the total to over 2,000.

Needy families were referred to the program by school counselors, day care providers and social service agencies. Individuals who receive aid from an assistance program such as WIC could also qualify. All eligible families were then sent a postcard with a date and time to come pick out two toys for each registered child at the distribution site.

A new addition to this year’s program was door prizes for three divided age groups. Bikes, DVDs, a sled, croquet set and Best Buy gift certificate were among the coveted prizes.

Seeing some of the individuals picking up the door prizes truly reinforced why the Toys for Tots program exists.

"A grandmother picked up the bike that her granddaughter had won, and she looked like she was going to cry because she was just so grateful and taken aback," said Schramm. "Moments like these make the program feel even more important."

Not only did people offer toys for children, but a few volunteered their time, services or items to help make everything run smoothly. Diane Blair became a familiar face in the Untied Way office, as she helped organize the toys and offered her organization expertise with every aspect of the distribution process.

Other important help came from Henningsen Cold Storage Co., Amazon.com, Tri-West Healthcare Alliance, UND’s Walsh Residence Hall, UND’s Contracts and Administration and SEI who either ran toy drives or collected donations.

The donations were so great this year that a few toys were leftover and given to local agencies. Red River Valley Community Action, United Day Nursery, the Grand Forks Police Department, YMCA, Community Violence and Intervention Center, Northlands Rescue Mission and Development Homes all were able to take the remaining toys.

The Toys for Tots Foundation and United Way would like to thank everyone for the toys and donations. The true "Christmas spirit" was felt and appreciated by the over 200 families who benefited from your kindness!

As the temperatures drops and winter moves in for a few, seemingly long months, the famous Ralph Engelstad Arena will fill up with hockey-loving fans staving off the cold and cheering on their favorite Fighting Sioux hockey teams.

Those who support the Sioux can also show their support in another way by buying a puck on United Way’s Puck Wall for the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

A $100 tax-deductible donation to United Way will secure a permanent place on the puck wall and help United Way support and strengthen the community.

Donors have different options when choosing their puck message. Some put their family members’ names and others honor or remember a loved one. Pucks bought by businesses and organizations also fill the wall.

Reserve your puck today by calling (701) 775-8661, or download a puck wall form and let Grand Forks and your fellow Fighting Sioux hockey fans know that you not only support hockey, but also the well-being of the community!