United Way Ottawa recently received an A+ for its governance and transparency practices from MoneySense magazine’s “Charity 100” 2011 ratings.
But some organizations are giving its new funding process a failing grade.
“We’re concerned about that,” said United Way Ottawa president and CEO Michael Allen Tuesday.
In the last few months, executives from Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa, Citizen Advocacy, and the Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities have publicly criticized the umbrella agency for slashing their funding.
OCAPDD has ended its relationship with the United Way altogether.
“We are disappointed that they have taken a step there,” said Allen, adding OCAPDD gets funding from the provincial government in excess of $23 million.
“They’re a big, big organization that has tremendous capacity to help shape the life of the disabled in this community.”
In 2010, a new funding application process was implemented.
“We had three times as many requests as we had dollars, and so, somewhere along the way we have to make decisions about how we invest those dollars,” said Allen.
Now, some organizations are asking the community to eliminate the middle man — the United Way — when donating.
“If individuals wish to give to an organization directly, we’re happy about that. Our mission is that we see a stronger, healthier community,” said Allen.
@ottawasunkroche
http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/09/20/united-way-gets-a-charity-ranking
Kelly Roche - Storyteller 