Local United Way merging with SW Pa. chapter
The United Way of Butler County is merging with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania in hopes that it can enhance its services and help more people.
“We feel that as a region we can have more impact on our community,” said Mary Ann Eisenreich, interim director of the United Way of Butler County. “We'll be able to share resources back and forth. We'll maintain a local presence, local office, local funds, local programs. But we'll be able to share quite a bit of resources and information.”
The merger was announced Thursday. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, or UWSWPA, covers Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and southern Armstrong counties.
Dan LaVallee, chairman of the United Way of Butler County's board of directors, said the United Way of Butler County approached the UWSWPA to discuss a merger.
“Our respective dollars and efforts will remain in our local community, and together, we can make a greater impact by growing programming, partnerships and assistance in the local Butler community and across UWSWPA's service area,” LaVallee said.
Not only will Butler be able to draw on the larger United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's programs and connections, but they also hope to streamline their backroom administrative operations and costs to be able to put more money and time into the community, Eisenreich said.
Eisenreich said they saw how well a merger could work three years ago when the United Way of Westmoreland County merged with the United Way of Allegheny County to create the UWSWPA.
“They still have a local office, local staff,” she said. “They've been able to enhance their programs. They've been able to free up staff time to get out into the community more. That's our aim.”
The impact has already started with more than 700 Butler County children receiving literacy kits after the United Way's 100,000 Books program was expanded into the area. Additionally, more than 20 children from the county will participate in the United Way's annual Build-a-Bike at Heinz Field this June.
The Butler United Way will keep its office on West Jefferson Street as well as its staff, and begin searching for a permanent regional director. The county's United Way will now be called United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania — Butler Office.
The full transition will happen over six months.
The United Way of Butler County was founded in November 1933, known originally as the Butler Community Chest. It became the United Way in May 1975.
The group's total liabilities and net assets decreased in the past two years, from $1.51 million in 2015 to $944,138 in 2016 and $745,244 in 2017, according to the organization's year-end audit report, which goes through June 30, 2017.
Public support dropped only slightly the past year, from $523,097 in 2015-16 to $517,923 in 2016-17.
The organization distributed $369,877 in member agency grants in 2016-17 and $340,612 in donor designations, which are awarded to specific groups chosen by the donors.
The United Way of Butler County's mission is to improve lives and create positive and sustainable change. One of its main impact areas is poverty, Eisenreich said.
A local panel will still review and approve grant proposals, Eisenreich said, which will be decided later in the spring. This year the United Way of Butler County supported child care scholarships, the Community Health Clinic of Butler County, transitional housing, inclusive child care, National Alliance on Mental Illness, temporary housing for pregnant or single mothers, Utility Integrated Point of Contact, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and more. The group also provides utility and other emergency assistance, after-school tutoring, employment initiatives and 211.
