"Collaborations solve problems and seize opportunities. Collaboration is dynamic and ever changing
as it moves the community forward."
The Chandler Center for Community Leadership 2003

United Way recognizes the value of community collaboration and the power of working together with others to create positive changes in our community. Here are a few examples of those partnerships:

Especially for Nonprofit Organizations Training Collaborative
Since 1997, United Way has been proud to partner with other community organizations to plan and sponsor the Especially for Nonprofit Organizations Training Collaborative.

This certificate program offers high quality, low cost training opportunities to hundreds of local nonprofit service providers. Class topics range from fund development to financial management to outcome measurement and computer training. New classes are offered each semester;registration information is available at: www.vcu.edu/ocp/programs/nonprofitorgs/.

United Way's collaborative partners in this project are Virginia Commonwealth University, The Community Foundation, The Jackson Foundation, Capital One Services, the Virginia Association of Fund Raising Executives and the Junior League of Richmond.

Petersburg Alliance for Children and Families
In Petersburg, a key collaborative effort centers on the coordination of services to children from birth to 5 years. The Petersburg Alliance for Children and Families includes approximately 25 service providers who meet monthly to discuss needs, offer assistance and evaluate the programs that are operating.

Resources are shared among members, including training, educational material and funding. The Program Coordinator for United Way's Success By 6 project in Petersburg is the lead staff for this Network.

DataShare Richmond
United Way volunteers and staff believe that our actions and the actions of other community organizations and stakeholders should be based on quality research and data. Unfortunately, many local nonprofits do not have the resources, expertise or time to effectively use community data.

As a partner in DataShare Richmond, United Way is working along side Virginia Commonwealth University, Youth Matters, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the City of Richmond, Voices for Virginia's Children, and the University of Richmond to "democratize" community data, that is make it readily available and usable for community-based organizations and other community stakeholders.

DataShare Richmond partners are working to create a data warehouse and the technical supports necessary to enable the use of data toward the development of effective programs, services, community plans, and policies.

Local Emergency Food and Shelter Program
The Local Emergency Food and Shelter Program administers emergency assistance funds in Richmond City, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Charles City, and New Kent, as well as Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie County and Prince George County.

United Way provides the staffing and administrative support for the Local Board which includes representatives from the local faith community, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and representatives from each locality to maximize the local impact of this important federal resource. www.fema.gov/rrr/efs.shtm.