The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties is making some changes that may leave some programs without funding.

  • Organization looking to focus fundraising
  • Fundraising dollars to go only to education, health and income aid programs
  • Last year organization raised more than $2 million

Area nonprofits and charitable organizations like the American Red Cross of Florida's Space Coast have depended on funding from the United Way of Flager and Volusia for decades.  
 
“If that funding were to be cut that would have an impact on us, but the United Way has been very good about helping us see how we fit into the new framework” said American Red Cross of Florida’s Space Coast Executive Director Sherri Monroe.

In particular, Monroe believes its disaster relief programs should be safe for now.

"[United Way funding] supports two of our programs -- disaster and service to the Armed Forces. In disaster, it's going to have a bigger impact," said Monroe.

But United Way President Dennis Burns said the organization is restructuring and will now only give fundraising dollars to programs who are focused on "education, health and income."
 
“Most of the United Ways that have gone through this process have seen their fundraising efforts raise because of the focus focusing really on community,” said Burns.
 
Before the change, funding qualifications were not strict. The United Way currently funds 59 programs and helps 28 agencies, and last year raised more than $2 million.

Burns said they've now formed a 15-member cabinet who are experts in the three focus areas. He went on to say the transition is a lengthy process. Programs currently receiving funding will have to reapply, and could be denied.
 
But the president said this opportunity opens doors for new programs to get funding.
 
“We haven't had any new agencies as far back as anybody who's worked here can remember," said Burns. "This will be an open competitive process for any agency."
 
Burns also said this transition happened when he worked in Orlando, and United Ways across the country have already made the changes. He recalls the Red Cross and other disability agencies saw cuts if their programs did not fit the new model, but it's still too early to tell who will qualify.
 
Monroe is confident the Red Cross will be fine and is willing to work with the organization to fulfill their needs.

“I think for some of the agencies it may have been a little scary at first,” said Monroe.
 
The cabinet is already in place, and will have letters of intent out by December so organizations can apply.