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VAIL, Colorado — This is the fourth article in a series that focuses on how some organizations the United Way works with are facing current challenges and meeting the needs of the Vail Valley community.
The United Way of Eagle County has worked with over 30 local charities for more than a decade and has raised close to $1.3 million during that time. Most people think of United Way as a national or International organization, but all of the money the United Way raises in Eagle County stays in Eagle County. One single donation to the United Way is a powerful way to reach many in our valley.
The Red Ribbon Project, a United Way grantee, is the only organization in Eagle County that provides comprehensive HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention programs. The Youth Skills Program has a focus on building healthy lifestyles and serves over 1,900 students in public and private schools. There have been eight free HIV tests this year, which are confidential and open to anyone. The Red Ribbon Project also runs a condom distribution program and provides financial support to anyone who is HIV positive and needs help.
The Red Ribbon Project's Paula Palmateer and Karen Koenemann were interviewed for this article.
United Way: How have your donations and grant requests been affected in this economic climate?
Red Ribbon: They have been down about 30 percent. Even the grantors that have supported us for many years have been down.
UW: Do you regularly seek state or federal grants?
RR: We have just started to look at federal grants, but it is a very involved process. We have one state grant that comes through Eagle County. Grants can be a challenge for a small organization like ours because these types of grants require a lengthy evaluation periods and surveys. We need to show that our program fills the gaps others don't provide.
For example, our student programs have a goal of changing intent of behavior among young adults. To measure the impact of the Red Ribbon Project, we have to show what knowledge is being gained and how it affects behavior.
UW: Do you apply each year for a grant from The United Way? Were you awarded one this year?
RR: We have been applying since 2005, when we started. We apply every year and have been fortunate to receive a grant each time.
UW: What have you able to accomplish with the grant awarded to you by The United Way of Eagle County?
RR: Our free HIV testing program is almost entirely covered by the United Way grant. This program is of immense value to Eagle County.
UW: Does having United Way as a grantor to your organization help you secure grant money from others?
RR: Yes. It absolutely helps the red Ribbon Project to have the United Way as a grantor. It is very meaningful and important. We reference our United Way grant for every other grant we apply for — by showing that we are supported by a locally oriented organization like the United Way, the Red Ribbon Project can more easily communicate to potential grantors that out impact is locally supported and therefore worthy of their support as well.
UW: Have you collaborated with other agencies to seek funds from United Way? If so, have those partnerships been successful?
RR: For the United Way, collaboration is important because overlapping programs (programs that serve the same constituency or need) are encouraged to work together so that funds are used in the most effective way possible. The Red Ribbon Project does this as well by partnering with other organizations like the Eagle River Youth Coalition, Eagle County Health and Human Services and the Eagle County School District, to name a few, to work on our Youth Skills and HIV testing programs. This helps us efficiently meet the needs of our community.
For more information on the Red Ribbon Project, go to www.redribbonproject.org.
Consider the United Way of Eagle County for your tax deductible contribution this year. For more information or to donate, go to UnitedWayEagle.com. Donations are a powerful way to support those who support our community.
The United Way of Eagle County has worked with over 30 local charities for more than a decade and has raised close to $1.3 million during that time. Most people think of United Way as a national or International organization, but all of the money the United Way raises in Eagle County stays in Eagle County. One single donation to the United Way is a powerful way to reach many in our valley.
The Red Ribbon Project, a United Way grantee, is the only organization in Eagle County that provides comprehensive HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention programs. The Youth Skills Program has a focus on building healthy lifestyles and serves over 1,900 students in public and private schools. There have been eight free HIV tests this year, which are confidential and open to anyone. The Red Ribbon Project also runs a condom distribution program and provides financial support to anyone who is HIV positive and needs help.
The Red Ribbon Project's Paula Palmateer and Karen Koenemann were interviewed for this article.
United Way: How have your donations and grant requests been affected in this economic climate?
Red Ribbon: They have been down about 30 percent. Even the grantors that have supported us for many years have been down.
UW: Do you regularly seek state or federal grants?
RR: We have just started to look at federal grants, but it is a very involved process. We have one state grant that comes through Eagle County. Grants can be a challenge for a small organization like ours because these types of grants require a lengthy evaluation periods and surveys. We need to show that our program fills the gaps others don't provide.
For example, our student programs have a goal of changing intent of behavior among young adults. To measure the impact of the Red Ribbon Project, we have to show what knowledge is being gained and how it affects behavior.
UW: Do you apply each year for a grant from The United Way? Were you awarded one this year?
RR: We have been applying since 2005, when we started. We apply every year and have been fortunate to receive a grant each time.
UW: What have you able to accomplish with the grant awarded to you by The United Way of Eagle County?
RR: Our free HIV testing program is almost entirely covered by the United Way grant. This program is of immense value to Eagle County.
UW: Does having United Way as a grantor to your organization help you secure grant money from others?
RR: Yes. It absolutely helps the red Ribbon Project to have the United Way as a grantor. It is very meaningful and important. We reference our United Way grant for every other grant we apply for — by showing that we are supported by a locally oriented organization like the United Way, the Red Ribbon Project can more easily communicate to potential grantors that out impact is locally supported and therefore worthy of their support as well.
UW: Have you collaborated with other agencies to seek funds from United Way? If so, have those partnerships been successful?
RR: For the United Way, collaboration is important because overlapping programs (programs that serve the same constituency or need) are encouraged to work together so that funds are used in the most effective way possible. The Red Ribbon Project does this as well by partnering with other organizations like the Eagle River Youth Coalition, Eagle County Health and Human Services and the Eagle County School District, to name a few, to work on our Youth Skills and HIV testing programs. This helps us efficiently meet the needs of our community.
For more information on the Red Ribbon Project, go to www.redribbonproject.org.
Consider the United Way of Eagle County for your tax deductible contribution this year. For more information or to donate, go to UnitedWayEagle.com. Donations are a powerful way to support those who support our community.
