FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:               9 January 2012

FROM:             Lauren E. Siess, Executive Director

                        United Way of Stephens County, Inc.

Applications for membership in United Way of Stephens County, Inc. will be open to qualifying organizations starting 9 January 2012.   Decisions regarding funding in the following year are made each spring by a committee of United Way volunteers.   Thus, it is necessary that agencies apply now for possible funding in the year 2013.   Application forms are available at the United Way office, 12 South 8th Street, Duncan.   To be considered for agency membership status, an organization must first meet the following criteria:

                        --           Agency must be an incorporated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.

                        --           Agency must provide an annual audit or a compiled financial statement, prepared by either a certified public accountant or a public accountant.

                        --           Agency must be governed by a board of local volunteers, meeting certain frequency of meeting and membership rotation requirements

                        --           Agency must provide a human-care service, which meets an important need in the community.

                        --           Agency must operate at a reasonable cost in relation to income.

                        --           Agency must operate with an annual budget approved in advance by the governing body.

                        --           Agency must adhere to a policy of non-discrimination with respect to age, sex, race, religion and national origin in connection with the makeup of its governing body, committees and staff, and the persons whom it serves.

The mission of United Way of Stephens County, Inc. is to improve our communities’ quality of life by uniting resources in support of programs dedicated to helping people.

Final decisions on membership and financial support will be made by the United Way Board of Directors, based upon the recommendations of the Allocations Committee.   Agencies which presently receive United Way funding are not required to submit another application for membership.

Completed applications must reach the United Way office by 25 January, 2012.   For further information, contact Lauren Siess, Executive Director, at 255-3648.