In the spring of 2008, the United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI) reduced funding to Hawkeye Area Council by $116,500 annually, a 54% reduction in their previous allocation. This represented an 8.1% reduction in the Council’s operating income. The full effect of the reduction begins January 1, 2009 with the start of the reduced funding budget year. Even with recent improvement, an annual funding gap of $81,500 remains due to the spring United Way allocation reduction.

UWECI made available Transition/Capacity Building grants to organizations that received funding cuts. Hawkeye Area Council was eligible to apply for up to $57,000 from this fund. Recognizing the substantial flooding impact on many non-profits, the Council United Way Task Force voted to request $35,000 from this fund and asked United Way to allocate the balance to their Flood Relief Fund. On August 19, 2008, UWECI awarded the full Hawkeye Area Council Transition/Capacity Building grant request of $35,000. This amount will be distributed starting in January 2009 and reduces the overall UWECI budget reduction to 6% of Hawkeye Area Council’s annual operating income.

The United Way maintains its policy of accepting donor designated gifts. Any donor designated gift will be sent to the donor’s chosen non-profit, minus an administrative fee. Donor designated gifts are separate from the UWECI agency allocation amounts.