Better Business Bureau to screen nonprofits for Weld County United Way

GREELEY – Nonprofits funded through the United Way of Northern Colorado’s Community Impact Fund will be required to meet the Better Business Bureau’s 20 standards of charity accountability.

The BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming Center for Nonprofit Excellence will use the standards to vet nonprofits under the categories of governance, measuring effectiveness, finances and fundraising, and information materials. The standards also recommend ethical practices beyond disclosure in order to ensure public confidence and encourage giving.

“The necessity of nonprofit accountability is greater today than it was 20 or even 10 years ago,” said Lyle SmithGraybeal, vice president of Community Impact, “Donors increasingly want measurable proof that well-run organizations are utilizing their contributions to make enduring progress on community challenges.”

Jeannine Truswell, president and chief executive of United Way of Weld County said United Way volunteers will be able to direct their time and energy toward the review of program delivery, effectiveness, results, outcomes and impact, while the BBB will review overall excellence in nonprofit-management criteria.

Upon meeting all 20 standards, nonprofits may elect to license the BBB Accredited Seal for marketing purposes.

The Community Impact Fund is one of a number of funding mechanisms that United Way uses. Others include a recreation scholarship fund utilized by recreation districts, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which is available to emergency assistance agencies, and direct designations as determined by donors.

The United Way of Weld County is accepting applications from nonprofits to receive funding through its 2015-16 Colorado Combined Campaign made up of donations from state employees and the Colorado Federal Campaign made up of donations from federal employees. Tom Fasano, a spokesman for the United Way of Weld County, said nonprofits applying in this campaign will be screened by United Way.

Applications must be returned to the United Way of Weld County by 5 p.m. Feb. 6.

To receive an application or for more information, contact Verniece Thomas, United Way of Weld County’s resource development account manager, at 970-304-6171 or email verniece@unitedway-weld.org. Applications should be sent to Weld County CFC, P.O. Box 1944, Greeley, CO 80632.

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