Two central Virginia nonprofits are facing off over grant funding. The groups disagree over the best way to serve the community's needs.
The Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) is calling out the United Way - Thomas Jefferson Area for failing to fund its programs in 2012. JABA says, as a result, it will be forced to cut some of its programs and step up volunteer efforts to fill the gap.
Last year, JABA received close to $60,000 from the United Way, and requested close to $100,000 this year.
The United Way will dole out $634,000 to 18 community groups this year, out of 44 that applied. If you do the math that means only 40 percent of applicants will receive funds.
As for leaving JABA out of the mix, the United Way says the application process is clearly very competitive, and there are no guarantees.
"I think the donors to the United Way would be disappointed if they thought that we were rotely allocating money to the same program, year after year, without careful thought and consideration about where we could have the biggest impact," United Way Executive Committee member Dan Goodall said.
We're told part of the reason for a lack of funding in 2012 stems from the United Way's recent effort to focus on new impact areas - school readiness, community health, and economic self-sufficiency.
Of the 18 organizations that will receive funding this year, 10 have never received grants from the United Way before.
JABA's Board of Directors still hopes the United Way will reconsider its decision.
