Welcome to the Heart of Florida United Way

HFUW.org | Investing in Results | Letter of Introduction

April 8, 2009

Dear Community Organizations:

Even before the onset of the current economic crisis, Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) and many of its agency partners recognized that community resources were not keeping pace with critical and growing needs.

Through the United Way 2-1-1 & Elder Helpline, we've seen a double-digit increase in the number of people - an average of 300 per day - who are seeking food, rent, utility and other basic needs assistance.

As a nonprofit professional, you know firsthand how difficult it's been to meet rapidly escalating demand for services and assistance.

That's why - after two years of careful planning and extensive community research guided by volunteer leadership - United Way has adopted a new strategic direction focused on prevention. Known as Investing in Results, this is a new and expanded way for HFUW to address Central Florida's growing health and human service needs.

We all know that community problems require community solutions, so collaborations will be a cornerstone of our work with diverse partners in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Where leadership is required, United Way will take the lead; on other issues we may serve as a convener, partner or funder.

Our goal is to create new and lasting solutions - ones that get to the root of community problems that have been identified by our community as being most urgent and critical.

These issues, known as Investment Areas, include:

Building Safe Communities
Improving Financial Stability
Developing Healthy Children and Families
Alleviating Hunger and Homelessness

As a part of the move to Investing in Results, United Way is transitioning to a competitive funding process that allows any 501(c)(3) agency to apply for funding based on a program's ability to achieve specific goals.

Requests for proposals (RFP) are being solicited for programs that will address key issues in two of the Investment Areas - Building Safe Communities and Improving Financial Stability. The process for submitting a proposal begins by submitting a Letter of Interest (LOI). Details for getting started are available by selecting the links on this page.

We're excited about this bold new direction and look forward to collaborating with many new partners - as well as existing ones - as we work together to advance the common good and create lasting change.

Best regards,