Expanding Impact
United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange Counties and United Way of Noble County have joined hands to form Crossroads United Way, serving Elkhart, LaGrange & Noble Counties
Why join hands, why merge?
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Our goal is to better mobilize human and financial resources; to create lasting, measurable change that improves people’s lives in Elkhart, LaGrange & Noble Counties.
What are the benefits of merging?
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Greater Impact – More Lives Changed
A regional United Way will engage more volunteers and allow greater financial investment in all three counties in our focus areas of Education, Health and Financial Stability.
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Greater Efficiency
To accomplish our goals of improving lives, we will combine administrative functions to create cost savings and increased organizational performance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Where will my donation go?
Funds raised in each county will support programs in the county in which they are raised, unless a donor designates otherwise.
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How will donations be allocated?
Each county will have volunteer panels composed of local citizens who will determine the best programs to invest in.
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Who will lead the merged organization?
A Board consisting of volunteer leaders representing Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble Counties will govern the organization.
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Will there be staff changes?
No staff changes are currently planned.
We're excited about moving forward together
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Over the past year, United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange Counties and United Way of Noble County have partnered together on several projects that have increased each organization's impact.
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Crossroads United Way will continue to champion the unique identities of the communities it serves.
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An expanded United Way will have greater ability to address community needs that are regional in scope.
We remain committed to our core principles
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The merger will enhance our ability to effectively accomplish our shared mission and serve our communities.
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We will respect and honor the intentions of our donors. Money raised in each county will stay in each county, unless a donor designates otherwise.
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We will maintain and coordinate individual community identities as we create a unified organization.
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We will remain aware of and responsive to differences across our diverse communities.
We expect little short-term change
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Donors and stakeholders will see little change in the short term. Full transition and integration could take a year or more.
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We will continue to work together with local organizations and programs as integral partners.
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Offices will remain in place. Staff will continue to provide quality services.
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Crossroads United Way will continue to coordinate with volunteers and community leaders to help guide local strategies, programs, relationship building, and fundraising.