Albany Herald

ALBANY, Ga. -- United Way of Southwest Georgia President and CEO Darren Myles announced Monday that the organization has adopted the Community Impact Model to determine better allocation of funds to the agencies which rely on United Way for operating cash.

"With donations growing tighter, we are looking to get better results from the dollars our donors are putting into the community," Myles said. " We are looking for results rather than making people feel good. This model will help us concentrate on areas of real need in our community."

The Community Impact model is the operating model of choice by the United Way of America and many other local United Ways have converted to this in the last few years.

The model consists of four units -- education, income, health and basic needs.

In the past, a 20-member board determined how local United Way funds were distributed. The new model will install 15-member teams to meet quarterly with the agencies under each unit and will conduct performance reviews to determine areas of need and review results.

"We're not any different than another YMCA across the country,"

Albany Area YMCA Executive Director Dave Wallace said. "People want to know how effectively their funds are being used. This new model will make all of us better and demonstrate that the community's money is being used well."

Boy Scouts Chehaw Council Scout Executive Ray Allen agreed.

"I think this new model will work well," Allen said. "The reviews on how each agency is doing will make us all better. I think it's key that everyone knows we are getting our money's worth."