way United research project Dear Members of the board: America is currently facing the ongoing epidemic of a poverty crisis that is continuing to worsen in our society. In 2007 the rate of poverty has increased to its highest peak in the last thirty-two years with approximately sixteen million Americans living in severe poverty. The rate at which poverty is growing among U.S. families is at an all time high of fifty-six percent and the number of severely poor Americans increased by twenty-six percent alone from 2000 to 2005. Reason for this current increase in poverty can be given to the unusual economic expansion since the tragic events of 9/11. Although worker productivity has increased greatly since the recession in 2001, wages and job growths have continued to fall behind, thus leaving the average household income to decrease. This has caused nearly half of Americans poor population to fall deeply into poverty making the poverty problem the worst it has been since 1975 (Pugh, Tony). The problem of poverty does not only impact that of the working man, but also families and innocent children. In America alone there are over eight million families in poverty leaving approximately thirteen million children to live in poverty (Policy & Practice of Public Human Services). This only creates more problems, when underprivileged children do not have a proper upbringing living on the streets then they are more likely to turn to crime to help their situation. The hole of poverty can be very hard to dig out of and even harder if you have a family to support; however, there are government programs that help aid those in need such as welfare, food stamps, housing subsidies and the Earned Income Tax Credit, but these programs can only do so much to help pull a struggling family out of poverty. Much of a low income family's money goes
into paying for such necessities such as housing, daycare, and health care leaving the family almost stuck in poverty (Pugh, Tony.) With the poverty problem among American families at an all time high, deep measures need to be put into place to help fix the situation before it gets any worse. This is why I urge you, the Philo Farnsworth Foundation to consider making your endowment to the United Way Organization of America. The United Way Organization of America has been raising money for less fortunate Americans for over a hundred and twenty years now and was also named the top charitable institution of 2006 by The Chronicle's annual Philanthropy 400 survey, which rates the top 400 organizations in the nation. In 2006 alone over 1,300 local United Ways raised four billion dollars of donations to numerous charitable organizations (Barton, Noelle). The United Way Organization was founded in Denver 1887 by a priest, two ministers and a rabbi looking to make improvements in their city welfare problems. Their idea was to construct an organization that would collect funds for many local charities, to help out all aspects of their community. In their first year alone they raised nearly twenty two thousand dollars for their community, and their idea of a United Way would spread throughout the country. Since their first operations in Denver, Colorado over a century ago, The United Way has gone on to create over one thousand locally governed organizations that have raised billions of dollars to help millions of people, making them the nations largest private charity (United Way History). With a vision to "build a stronger America by mobilizing communities to improve people's lives" I believe The United Way Organization of America is the most beneficial organization in the United States. It would be in PFF's best interest to choose this
organization for their endowment because they would be assisting a charitable organization that helps strengthen and support American families and assists children and youth succeed. One reason for The United Way being the top organization in the nation is because of their support in strengthening American families. According to the federal government a two parent home with two children needs to make only seventeen thousand dollars in annual income in order to lift their family our of income. This is obviously not enough money to support a family of four when basic necessities such as rent, food, childcare, and transportation to school and work must be paid (Boushey, Heather). With this in mind millions of American families are struggling to provide a room over their head and food on their plates. With programs such as "Helping families build assets," The United Way has helped over six thousand low-income families in the city of Boston receive an extra twelve hundred dollars a year on their tax returns (United Way impact). This program greatly helps families in need by providing them with assets they usually don't know they can receive. After the devastating effects Hurricane Katrina took on the gulf coast, thousands of families lost everything they had. Since the tragedy happened in 2005 United The Way has helped to raise Twenty Five Million dollars in relief to these families. They have collaborated with fourteen other non-profit organizations to not only help the families in need but also to help restore, rebuild and recover the city of New Orleans (Hurricane Response and Recovery). The Gulf Coast has made a remarkable recovery the last two years with the help of Organizations such as the United Way and though it may not be what it once was, it is on its way to getting there. Therefore, I believe The
United Way is the most beneficial non-profit organization in America for its advancements in raising billions of dollars to help support struggling families all around the nation. The United Way is also a leader in charitable organizations for their ability to raise money and support underprivileged youth. By the day more and more of America's youth are making their way into the streets, millions of them getting are in trouble with the law and some are even losing their lives. Every year there is approximately 2.4 million juvenile arrests, sending troubled American youth into prison or detention centers. Although youth crimes has decreased greatly since their peak in the 1980's and 90's, they still remains to be a major problem in the United States. With the help of "expanded after-school crime prevention programs" youth violent crime rates have continued to decrease since 1993. In America youth murder rates are down 68 percent since 1993, rape arrests have decreased by 31 percent and youth robberies are at their lowest since 1980 (Sniffin, Michael). However, even though violent crime rates have recently decreased they still pose a danger to Americans youth along with alcohol and drug crimes. It has been proven that with the sudden surge of after school programs being offered to youth, underage crime rates have been limited greatly by keeping the youth off the streets and engaged in positive activities. The United Way is one of these programs that strive to make achievements in helping our troubled American youth succeed. With Programs such as "Out of Harms way" helping youth stay away from gang and drug involvement by providing children activities such as organized basketball games, breakfast and movies, and tutoring, The United Way has helped to keep thousands of youth off the streets and give them a better hope for tomorrow. Thus, I believe I the
United Way is the best choice for our donation because of their efforts to help American youth succeed. I understand how some members of the board may believe that The United Way Organization of America may not be in need of our help. This is an understandable thought considering the United Way raises more money annually than any other nonprofit organization and one may believe it would be more beneficial to make the donation to a lesser known charity that may be more in need of help. However, the United Way has become such a powerful organization with the help of donations from such large organizations such as the Philo Farnsworth Foundation and without that extra help wouldn't be able to operate on such a large national scale helping to annually raise billions of dollars for Americans in need. It has also been proven by their great success that if you were to decide to make your endowment to United Way it would be a great investment that would help many American families in need of support. For the last hundred and twenty years United Way Organizations of America have helped to raise billions of dollars helping and even saving the lives of millions of Americans all around our great nation. They strive for a dream that if our nation unites we can end the struggles of poverty to strengthen our society as a whole. Though this goal is far from being reached, The United Way have helped to make great advancements and successes in providing America with a brighter future. If the Philo Farnsworth Foundation does decide to choose The United Way Organization for their endowment then they will be aiding this dream for a stronger America by helping to influence many American lives for the greater good of our country.
Works Cited
Core Pugh, Tony. "US Economy Leaving Record Numbers in Severe Poverty." McClatchy Newspapers Washington Bureau. Feb. 22, 2007 "Policy & Practice of Public Human Services" Sep2006, Vol. 64 Issue 3, p38-38, 2/3p Barton, Noelle. Hall, Holly. "Chronicle of Philanthropy" 10/26/2006, Vol. 19 Issue 2, p22, 1p Sniffin, Michael. "Youth Crime Rate Down" The Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 14, 2000. Boushey, Heather. "Families' Hardships Must Be Softened" THE SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL. August 20, 2001
Non Core United Way History. http://national.unitedway.org/about/history.cfm United way of America 2005 United Way Hurricane Response and Recovery fund preliminary report august 15, 2006 United way impact "The Savings Paradox: Helping Families Build Assets" http://www.uwmb.org/press-room/eitc.htm