History
The United Way of the Tanana Valley had its beginnings in 1956 as the Fairbanks Federated Fund. 1965 witnessed the establishment of the United Good Neighbors and a first year campaign total of $84,655. Seven agencies were part of the original organization: Alaska Crippled Children; American Red Cross; Boy Scouts of America; USO; Fairbanks Health and Safety; the Salvation Army and the Girl Scouts. In 1972, the organization changed its name to the United Way of the Tanana Valley to identify more easily with the United Way movement across the nation.
Agencies
Today, United Way of the Tanana Valley has 23 member agencies offering services to assist senior citizens, strengthen families and youth, promote self-sufficiency, improve health and help people with disabilities. Our agencies are divided into the categories of Education, Income and Health to align more with the United Way movement across the world.
Fund Raising Campaigns
The focus of the United Way's fundraising efforts is in the workplace with emphasis on payroll deduction giving. The United Way campaign is in over 300 companies in the Tanana Valley. In 2010, the United Way raised $1.4 million, the most ever raised in the organization's history!
The emergence of other fundraising umbrella groups seeking access to workplace giving created changes in the United Way campaign at the public employee work site. This change resulted in sharing campaign management expenses and access for the SHARE (Alaska State Employees) and Combined Federal Campaign (Alaska CFC).
United Way of the Tanana Valley Campaign Co-Chairs
| Campaign Year | Past Campaign Chairs |
| 2011 | Barbara Schuhmann & Bob Groseclose |
| 2010 | Sabrina Binkley & Forrest Karr |
| 2009 | Alli & Bart LeBon |
| 2008 | Brian Newton & Ann Ringstad |
| 2007 | Jay Quakenbush |
| 2006 | Jack Wilbur & Billie Blanchard |
| 2005 | Marilyn Romano |
| 2004 | Jo Heckman & Jake Poole |
| 2003 | Dan Gavora & Grace Becker |
| 2002 | Jeff Cook & Jeri Wigdahl |
| 2001 | Mike Powers & Susan Rainey |
| 2000 | Dave & Patty Mongold |
| 1999 | Al Sokaitis |
| 1998 | Barbara Blackshear |
| 1997 | Paul Massey & Marilyn Romano |
| 1996 | Charlie Green |
| 1995 | Milt Behr |
| 1994 | Kip Harmon |
| 1993 | Ralph Seekins & Margaret Russell | 1992 | Art Buswell |
| 1991 | Keith Burke |
| 1990 | Paul Robinson |
| 1989 | Lynn Lashbrook |
| 1988 | Jim Haselberger |
| 1987 | Dave Otto |
| 1986 | Donald O'Dowd |
| 1985 | Dave Cuddy |
| 1984 | B.G. Ohlson |
| 1983 | John A. Carlson |
| 1982 | Mary Lee Mills |
| 1981 | Group Cabinet |
| 1980 | Group Cabinet |
Financial Accountability
United Way of the Tanana Valley adheres to the highest level of accountability in all aspects of operations. Each year, a certified public accounting firm completes an in-depth review of our financial operations to ensure compliance with all accounting standards for not-for-profits. The independent auditors report the results of the annual audit and the audited financial statements directly to the Finance Committee of the United Way of Tanana Valley's Board of Directors, which then reports the findings to the full Board of Directors.
Click here to read United Way of Tanana Valley's 2008 unqualified audit report
Click here to read United Way of Tanana Valley's 2008 IRS 990 form
Community Care Fund Distributions
Local, trained volunteers review agencies' operations and program effectiveness. These volunteers make recommendations to United Way's Board and campaign funds are distributed to member agencies according to the Board's final decision.
All individuals contributing 50% or more of their gift to the Community Care Fund are invited to participate in the bi-annual agency review process conducted in February.
Volunteer Center
The Volunteer Center at United Way serves our community by providing information and referral services and by connecting potential volunteers with volunteer opportunities. The Center also provides training, technical assistance, consultations, and other resources involving and relating to volunteer management programs.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Steve Spencer, President (2013)
Seekins Ford Lincoln, Inc.
Lynda Sather, First Vice President (2012)
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Traci Gatewood, Second Vice President (2013)
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Craig Ingham, Treasurer (2014)
Mt McKinley Bank
Sabrina Binkley, Secretary (2013)
Riverboat Discovery and El Dorado Gold Mine
Jay Quakenbush, Member at Large (2012)
IBEW Local #1547
Directors
DeeDee Caciari, Director (2012)
Newport Television, LLC
Dan Hoffman, Director (2012)
Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC
Karen Lidster, Director (2013)
Alaska State Legislature – Senator John Coghill's Office
Bart Maize, Director (2014)
IKON Office Solutions
Ernie Manzie, Director (2012)
Boys and Girls Home of Alaska
Doris Miller, Director (2014)
Doyon Foundation
Brian Newton, Director (2014)
Golden Valley Electric Association
Aimee Oravec, Director (2014)
Oravec Law Group, LLC
Mike Richards, CPA, Director (2014)
RJG, A Professional Corporation
John Ringstad, Director (2012)
BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc.
Bill Robertson, Director (2013)
Community Leader
Kathryn Strle, Director (2014)
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Jeri Wigdahl, Director (2014)
Community Leader
Jack Wilbur, Director (2014)
Design Alaska
Code of Ethics
United Way of the Tanana Valley Board of Directors and staff adhere to a formal code of ethics. Click here to read our Code of Ethics.
Staff
- Karen Lundquist, Executive Director, uwexec@ak.net (907) 452-7211, ext. 22
- Lexi Miller, Resource Development Director, (907) 452-7211, ext. 23
- Terri Atkins, Finance Officer, (907) 452-7211, ext. 24