The Allocation Process at the Tulsa Area United Way

The Community Investments allocation process is a volunteer driven process. More than 245 volunteers invested over 8,000 hours to determine this year's funding levels. They are divided into 19 panels for the review process.

Panel characteristics are:
- Each Panel reviews 3 to 6 agencies & has 7 - 15 volunteer members depending on the number of agencies per panel.
- Agencies receive allocations for specific programs.

The volunteer assessment process focuses on evaluating:
- Community need for the program
- Program effectiveness
- Fiscal and administrative capabilities
- Other resources leveraged by the agency

The Panel Review & Recommendation Process will:
- Review and evaluate written agency information.
- Conduct site visits at each agency.
- Hold conference meetings with each agency.
- Develop funding recommendations by agency program that include funding priorities within and between agencies.
- Develop "fallback" priorities if all of the recommendations cannot be funded.
- All recommendations must have a Panel Rationale to justify  the funding request.
- Panel comments must provide constructive information as well as suggest ways to resolve issues, problems or concerns.

Finally, the recommendations are compiled, totaled, and a goal is approved by the Board of Directors. The agencies are notified of their allocation level for the coming year provided the goal is reached.