United Way of Mat-Su - Live United.

News and Events

2011 Annual Report

Download a copy of our 2011 Annual Report (.PDF)

Day of Caring Thursday, May 17, 2012

As of May 8, 15 out of 33 available projects have volunteers. See who still needs help. (.PDF)

Have fun! Join your neighbors in improving our community.

Volunteers Needed! 2012 Mat-Su Day of Caring - Thursday May 17, 2012

Calling all Volunteers to help out with spring projects in our community! Volunteer for one of our many projects. You can help out with projects at American Red Cross, Alzheimers Resources of AK, CCS Early Learning, Girl Scouts of America, The Children's Place, Chickaloon Native Corp, Wasilla Area Seniors, Mat-Su Seniors Center, Mat-Su Services for Children & Adults, Snowshoe Elementary, Family Promise, Imagination Library, or Wasilla Food Pantry.

Download a Day of Caring Flyer (.PDF) and contact Cherie to volunteer for this year's Day of Caring!

Volunteer Appreciation Week and Volunteer of the Year

National Volunteer Appreciation Week started April 15, but United Way of Mat-Su began thanking them earlier and invites the community to continue to thank all of the people who give their time and energy to so many projects.

One such person was Dorothy A. Jones, a foremost community leader whose dedicated service helped to improve the quality of life for Mat-Su residents. It was in honor of her memory that the Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1993. The award is presented annually at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by The United Way of Mat-Su. It was held this year at the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting on March 27th, 2012. The 2011 Dorothy A Jones Volunteer of the Year award recipient is Mary Omer. Read more about Mary's dedication to our community and more about the Volunteer of the Year award.

United Way of Mat-Su is soliciting grant applications for FY13 and FY14 Community Impact Grants!

Community Impact Grant funding requests should present innovative approaches to meeting the health and human services needs of our community. Although we recognize that there are many pressing community needs, in order to maximize our impact, priority will be given to projects and initiatives that are collaborative and/or address issues identified through the Community Plan—Education, Income and Health. Other factors for funding consideration include measurable outcomes, programs that meet currently unmet needs and the agency’s capacity and ability to sustain the project/program.

All organizations considering applying for Community Impact Grant funds must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

Operate as a:

501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, or
Organization with a fiscal agent that is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, or
Unit of government or unit of tribal government, or
Non-501 (c) 3 organization if certain criteria are met. These include:

1. The funds are distributed for specific projects that are in furtherance of the funding organization’s charitable purposes;
2. The funding 501(c) (3) organization retains discretion and control as to the use of the funds by the funded organization; and
3. The funding organization maintains records documenting that the funds were used for 501(c) (3) purposes.

Operate with a voluntary Board of Directors.
Operate under written Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws that define the applicant’s purposes, membership, management, governance and operation.
Operate on a non-discriminatory basis in employment, recruitment of volunteers and delivery of services.
Demonstrate effective program and operational performance, financial responsibility and accountability.
Has a twelve month history of establishment within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and provides service within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Accounts for its funds in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and was audited/financial review by an independent certified public accountant for the last fiscal year.
Provides or will provide regular information to Alaska’s 2-1-1 system.
Will comply with United Way of Mat-Su’s contractual obligations, including outcome and client demographic data reporting, submission of financial report and all other requirements.
Will certify compliance with Patriot Act requirements.

Grants must provide funding for services or activities that align with the United Way of Mat-Su Community Investment Initiatives: Education, Income & Health.

Education: Children and Youth Achieve Their Potential
All children enter school ready to learn and graduate prepared for careers.

Strategy: School readiness, early childhood education and early grade literacy
Strategy: Career and life skills preparedness
Strategy: Development of competencies, assets, positive attributes and resiliency
Strategy: Successful school transitions and on-time high school graduation
Strategy: Positive youth activities, year-round learning and social development in the community

Income: Financial Stability and Independence
All residents are economically stable and self-sufficient.

Strategy: Workforce development, sustained employment, adult education, job readiness, training and retention, and vocational skills development.
Strategy: Access to food, shelter, emergency assistance, transportation, public benefits, primary healthcare and disaster services.
Strategy: Financial education, debt reduction, credit repair, building savings and gaining financial assets.
Strategy: Legal intervention, homeownership counseling and education to prevent foreclosure
Strategy: Affordable housing

Health: Community Wide Health
A healthy, safe and thriving community.

Strategy: Promoting healthy living and chronic disease prevention
Strategy: Focusing on preventing injuries, child abuse/neglect or domestic violence
Strategy: Development of youth competencies, assets, positive attributes and resiliency
Strategy: Engaging youth in meaningful, healthy alternative activities
Strategy: Substance abuse prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery
Strategy: Coordinating health resources/services, increasing health care coverage, providing services for the uninsured and access to health care

Interested applicants need to contact Stephanie Allen at sallen@unitedwaymatsu.org or 373-5821 for application instructions. Deadline for application submissions is April 10th.

Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Nominations

Now is the time to nominate a volunteer in our community for the 2011 Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award. Do you know a Mat-Su resident who has been an exceptional volunteer in the area of education, income, or health within the Borough? Please, let us know. Nominations are due by March 15, 2012.
Download a Nomination Form (.11MB PDF)

The Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1993 to honor the memory of Dorothy A. Jones, a foremost community leader whose dedicated service helped to improve the quality of life for Mat-Su residents. The award is presented annually at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by The United Way of Mat-Su. This year it will be presented on March 27 at the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Glacier Canyon Grill. For more information contact Cherie’ 373-5802

Recognize Outstanding Early Childhood People and Businesses In Our Community

The Early Childhood Partnership of Mat-Su’s Golden Apple Awards are just around the corner and we need your help to spread the word to get local early childhood teachers, facilities, and businesses nominated for these prestigious awards. There are two different types of Awards being presented:

Service Provider:

Recognizes local early childhood teachers, child care facilities, and champions for kids that make meaningful contributions to achievement and personal growth for our youngest citizens! Nominees will have demonstrated a strong commitment to a quality early childhood education and/or a dedication to making a positive contribution to the children they serve. To nominate a facility, teacher or champion, complete the Service Provider Nomination Form.

Family Friendly Business:

Recognizes local employers who help their employees balance work and family responsibilities and places that cater to young children. Not only does a “family friendly” philosophy create a more productive work environment and greater employee loyalty and morale, it also contributes to families raising children that become better students and citizens. To nominate a business, organization, or employer, complete the Family Friendly Business Nomination form.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

New Website for Families

The Early Childhood Partnership has started a new website geared specifically towards families here in the Mat-Su Valley. It provides tools for parenting, healthy living, where to go for recreation, and most importantly helping parents understand the importance of Early Learning programs. It allows parents to learn more about the need for their children to start their education and learning early, so that they are ready and prepared for their future. Please spread the word about our new website.

Early Childhood Partnership of Mat-Su

Like us on Facebook, and join our Google group by following these links.

Facebook for the Early Childhood Partnership of Mat-Su

Google Group for ECP