United Way of Genesee County
The United Way of Genesee County collaborated with MSU Outreach Partnerships on two separate projects. The first project involved increasing the capacity of United Way-funded agencies to conduct outcome evaluations. The second involved community conversations regarding how the United Way could more effectively support progress towards a capable, healthy Genesee County (i.e., asset-building).
These two projects began before the Outcome-Asset Impact Model (O-AIM) evolved to its current status. Through maturation of MSU Outreach Partnerships thinking and based on our experience working with our partners, the outcome evaluation and asset-building efforts were joined into a more integrated application of the O-AIM.
As a result of this effort, United Way converted their fund distribution system from one that focused on projects addressing deficits, to one that requests project proposals focusing on assets and outcomes that will improve community health and wellbeing. The process began with discussions with citizens, United Way-funded agencies, and volunteers to obtain their views of what a healthy, capable Genesee County would look like. United Way also wanted to understand community expectations of how they and related human service agencies might provide leadership in the community’s journey toward a capable community. To accomplish the goals of this effort, provider agencies are still being trained to design outcome-focused programs and then measure and report on the service outcomes.
A complete description of the United Way of Genesee County Partnership can be found in the Examples section of the Capable Communities website.