Community Impact
Every year, on behalf of our donors, United Way of the Tanana Valley's Board of Directors allocates funds received to member agencies. In 2007, the Board of Directors allocated $606,874 to member agencies:
| ACCA | Access Alaska | American Red Cross |
| Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Fairbanks | Boy Scouts Council, Midnight Sun | Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tanana Valley |
| Camp Fire USA, Alaska Council | Eielson AFB Child Development Center | Eielson AFB Youth Center |
| Fairbanks Community Food Bank | Fairbanks Counseling & Adoption | Fairbanks Resource Agency |
| Ft Wainwright Army Community Services | Ft Wainwright Child & Youth Services | Girl Scouts, Farthest North Council |
| Hospice of the Tanana Valley | Interior AK. Center for Non-Violent Living | Literacy Council of Alaska |
| National Senior Service Corps | North Star Youth Court | Presbyterian Hospitality House |
| Resource Center for Parents and Children | Salvation Army Corps Community Center |
Volunteer Center
United Way's Volunteer Center promotes the organized capacity of people to care for each other through community building and volunteerism. The Volunteer Center is an advocate for the image of volunteerism and we work to strengthen both a positive environment for volunteers as well as providing volunteer management strategies in the Tanana Valley.
"Tips for Getting Started" is offered for new and prospective volunteers, and we also offer school-based presentations. Training is also recommended for boards of non-profit agencies in aspects of volunteer management and other issues important in the non-profit sector. The Center maintains a resource library, provides a printed Volunteer Opportunities directory, maintains a weekly column in the local paper and an annual Volunteer Recognition and Award celebration.
Another valuable publication available through the Volunteer Action Center is the Legal Volunteer Handbook.
Week of Caring
Week of Caring mobilizes volunteers from the business community to work on projects with health and human care agencies. Employers are encouraged to release employees from regular duties for a 4 to 6 hour time period to participate in the event.
Agencies submit applications with project specifications and numbers of volunteers needed. These projects are matched with interested employee volunteer groups who have the time and talents needed to complete the projects.
Week of Caring occurs in the beginning of September every year. For more information call 452-7211 ext. 23
Emergency Food & Shelter Program
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. Since 1983, the Fairbanks North Star Borough has been awarded federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs.
A Local Board, made up of representatives of the Fairbanks North Star Borough, determines how funds are awarded and distributed among emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations. United Way of the Tanana Valley participates in this process and provides administrative assistance to ensure funds are disbursed as stipulated by EFSP. The following agencies receive funding through this program:
- Alaska Federation for Community Self Reliance
- Alpha Omega Life Care
- Bering Sea Women's Group
- Fairbanks Bread Line
- Fairbanks Community Food Bank
- Fairbanks Community Food Bank - Yukon Koyukok Region
- Fairbanks Rescue Mission
- Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living
- Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living - Yukon Koyukok Region
- North Star Council on Aging
- The Salvation Army
Alaska Combined Federal Campaign
The Alaska Combined Federal Campaign is an opportunity for Federal employees to contribute to non-profit organizations. United Way of the Tanana Valley is selected by the local CFC board as the Principal Combined Fund Organization (PCFO) to manage the campaign and provide financial services.
COMPASS II
What is COMPASS II?
COMPASS II® is a collaborative needs-assessment system used by communities nation-wide to help identify their own community's strengths and areas of potential growth and development.
All communities, like the individuals who live in them, need a direction in order to better themselves. As the old saying goes, "how will we know if we're there, if we don't know where we're going?"
Building a stronger community is at the heart of COMPASS II. Spearheaded by United Way of the Tanana Valley, it required the participation of a diverse group of individuals, organizations and government agencies throughout the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Click here to read more about COMPASS II
Services for Individuals and Families
United way funds 24 health and human service agencies providing services and community programs addressing a broad spectrum of needs at the individual level. These services are the foundation of a strong community. They help children and youth achieve their potential, guide families to financial stability, improve people’s health, and lead to self-sufficient lives and a better community.
Providing Leadership
United Way provides leadership to the charitable sector of our community to develop measurable outcomes for their services. Our most important goals are to see tangible results for community investment and to make lasting changes in our own community.
Fund Raising
United Way of the Tanana Valley raises the majority of its funds during its Annual Campaign. In 2007, $1.3 million was raised. The emergence of other fundraising umbrella groups seeking access to workplace giving created changes in United Way campaigns at public employee work sites. These changes resulted in sharing campaign management, expenses and access and are known as shared campaigns. Currently, United Way of the Tanana Valley participates in two shared campaigns: Northern Alaska Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and SHARE (Alaska State Employees Campaign). Approximately 5% of the total money pledged during our annual drive is donated through the shared campaigns.