2014

Key Facts About United Way United Way is the most efficient investment you can make. More than 90 cents of every dollar raised goes directly toward programs and services. Has one of the lowest administrative costs of United Ways that raise over 1 million dollars. Serves an estimated 1 out of every 3 individuals each year in our community through 88 programs in 44 agencies. Ranks 2 nd in the nation for per capita giving thanks to the contributions of more than 27,000 individuals and 700 businesses. Gifts to United Way stay local, benefiting 33 communities in the four county area of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner and McCook.

How Your Gift is Invested 99 volunteers on 12 Impact Teams donated over 1,400 hours to the process. Teams reviewed applications, visited agencies, scrutinized program budgets, and reviewed measured outcomes of more than 90 different programs. Teams developed funding recommendations based on identified need for Team Chairs to review. Team Chairs recommended to the United Way Board of Directors funding for 88 programs at 44 different agencies based on identified needs.

ProgramsCommunity Funding $$$ Investments $$$ Services

What is Heart Club? Annual Contribution of $500 –Includes joint giving of spouses –Only $10 a week; $5 a week for a joint gift –The best INVESTMENT to United Way United Way had 8,058 Heart Club members in 2014 – they made up 53% of overall giving to United Way with a total of $5,276,100. You receive recognition for your generosity –A plaque with year bars from United Way –Name and company listed in Heart Club booklet.

Rising Heart Rising Heart is a new level of Heart Club which allows donors to pledge $250 and set a plan to increase their giving within 5 years. Minimum gift of $250 Plan to increase to $500 in 5 years An Example could be: 1st year - $6/week 2nd year - $7/week 3rd year - $8/week 4th year - $9/week 5th year - $10/week Recognized in the Heart Club book under employer Can combine with spouse Not a multi-year pledge

Mission Statement – Sioux Empire United Way Mission Statement –To lead, sustain, and nurture a unified, effective response to community needs.

Top 5 Companies for Heart Club Membership First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard (tie) John Morrell & Company (tie) Avera Citi Sanford Health

Heart Club Growth at United Way Heart Club Total CampaignTotal Comparing Overall Campaign Total to Heart Club Total

Heart Club Growth

Heart Club Growth at

Rising Heart ($250-$499) Golden Heart ($500-$749) Golden Heart Plus ($750-$999) Grand Heart ($1,000-$1,499) Grand Heart Plus ($1,500-$1,999) Heart of a Leader Bronze ($2,000-$3,499) Silver ($3,500-$4,999) Gold ($5,000-$9,999) Alexis de Tocqueville Society ($10,000+) Heart Club Levels

Your Heart Club Investment at Work $500 will provide ALL of the following: 2 hours of child care, which provides a parent the ability to attend a job interview. AND 1 student with transportation to a safe after-school program for four weeks. AND 3 meals to a home-bound person age 60+, enabling them to stay in their home and meet their nutritional needs. AND 60 students with oatmeal for breakfast for one weekend, helping to meet their nutritional needs. AND 5 newborns with their first book. AND 1 pregnant woman with a cab voucher so they are able to attend their prenatal medical appointments. AND 5 twin/full bed frames for beds, providing children with a bed who may not have otherwise had one. AND 1 person with disabilities the opportunity to travel to a wildlife refuge for a 6-hour day. AND 1 homeless family with a basket of necessity items when first moving into stable housing. AND 2 children the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons. AND 2 children with their first dental screenings.

Ready to Start The Ready to Start program is for children who are eligible for kindergarten but have not had access to pre-kindergarten services or have demonstrated a need for additional services prior to their first day of school. That may include children who were on the Head Start waiting list, who tested below basic skills on their kindergarten screening, or who may not be ready developmentally for kindergarten but will enroll due to cost savings associated with childcare. Ready to Start runs four half days per week for five weeks just prior to the start of the school year. Ready to Start classrooms include 15 students with one teacher and one assistant. Because consistent attendance is critical for the children, transportation is provided. Essential math and reading skills that are focused on include: counting and writing 1-10 knowing days of the week identifying colors rhyming knowing alphabet and writing name. In addition, students also focus on supportive skills: following directions participating in classroom conversation large motor skills and small motor skills.

Ready to Start (cont.) Ready to Start has already been piloted in classrooms in Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, and Tea with good results: Average pre-test score for total students was 70%; average post-test was 89%. 100% of the participating children made gains. 14 children had a difference of 20% or more from pre- to post-test. Math: the average percent of gain was 26%, with an average pre-test score of 60% and an average post-test score of 86%. Reading: the average percent of gain was 17%, with an average pre-test score of 74% and an average post-test score of 91%. At the end of the 1 st and 2 nd quarter of their kindergarten year, every Ready to Start student continued to either maintain or gain. A successful 2015 Campaign will provide Ready to Start classrooms in Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, Tea Area, Canton, and McCook School Districts, serving 150 children. A Heart Club gift of $500 will provide one student the opportunity to participate in Ready to Start.

Message from CEO The Sioux Empire United Way has a history of doing wonderful things for our community, and we have the opportunity to be a part of that. Our investments through Heart Club are helping 1 in 3 people right here in the Sioux Empire. Please join me in supporting the Sioux Empire United Way.

Thank You!