Press Release: United Fund Considers 2011 Grant Requests

Growing needs and shrinking funds seems to be the mantra of agencies who serve the most vulnerable populations, and the 19 agencies that have applied for funding from the Westfield United Fund are no different.

Colleen Echausse, the chair of the Fund Distribution Committee, challenges her group to distribute over a half of a million dollars among agencies that transport senior citizens, deliver meals to homebound citizens, provide shelter and counseling to domestic abuse victims, counsel the depressed, and so much more.

For Echausse, whose committee is charged with reviewing funding for programs from the Westfield United Fund's member agencies, the task is more challenging this year due to the economic climate.

"With contributions down, many of these non-profits are experiencing wait lists for services," Echausse said.  "And in an economy like this, the non-profits are finding that their client base is increasing.  People are hurting."

The 14 residents on the Fund Distribution Committee spend hundreds of hours over a three-month period, interviewing agency directors, reviewing financial information and evaluating the effectiveness of programs and services.  Each agency is responsible for answering questions on the achievements of their programs, how many people they are serving, what alternative sources of income are available to them, and what problems they could encounter in the next year.

After reviewing and evaluating the agencies' requests, the committee then debates and deliberates the needs of both the community and each agency to determine how the funds are to be allocated.

"This year's combination of increasing needs and fewer available funds make the allocation process more difficult," said David Foltz, President of the Westfield United Fund Board of Trustees.

Once the Westfield United Fund Board of Trustees approves the final recommendations from the committee, the 2010 campaign goal will be established and the money raised will be distributed beginning 2011.

Throughout the entire process, Echausse said, the Fund Distribution Committee never loses sight of the residents who donate to the Westfield United Fund.

"The caring and financial support of our residents truly reflects the Westfield spirit of outreach and giving to others," she said.  "They can be comforted by the knowledge that their gift will go far --- but not far away."

The Westfield United Fund member agencies include: The American Red Cross, The ARC of Union County, the Boy Scouts, Central Jersey Legal Services, the Cerebral Palsy League, Community Access Unlimited, CONTACT We Care, the Girl Scouts, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services, Mobile Meals of Westfield, Prevention Links, UCPC Behavioral Healthcare, Visiting Nurse Service System, the Westfield Community Center, the Westfield Day Care Center, the Westfield "Y", YWCA Eastern Union County and Youth and Family Counseling Services.