Our January Quote of the Month comes from Julie Capaldi, President of United Way of Pickens County in Easley, South Carolina:

“It used to be money drives the work, now work drives the money” – Julie Capaldi, President, United Way of Pickens County

This quote from Julie encapsulates the most profound change in United Ways over the past couple of decades. We refer to United Ways where the money drives the work as fundraising-focused United Ways, and several decades ago all United Ways were fundraising-focused. At fundraising-focused United Ways, the money comes from the workplace campaigns, which United Ways use to drive the work by investing that money into programs provided by partner agencies. The change Julie is talking about seems simple – just switch the order so the work drives the money. But this switch is anything but simple as issue-focused United Ways must start by clearly identifying their work – addressing a single issue, such as reducing poverty, increasing the graduation rate, or ending homelessness. Only after identifying their work, can an issue-focused United Way go out and successfully ask for the money to support the work. This quote should be a reminder to all United Ways that changing times require United Ways to change with the times. If you have a quote you would like to share for our Quote of the Month, please let me know at gary@perspectives4uw.com