Compassionate Capitalism - August 2005

United Way of the Great Basin

United Way of the Great Basin (UWGB) is a non-profit organization that has been serving Northern Nevada communities for the past eight years. In that time UWGB has focused on making positive, lasting changes in the community each year and providing local programs and services for those in need.

UWGB collaborates with many other organizations, including local non-profit organizations that strive to make improvements in each rural community every day. According to Sheilagh Gillies, UWGB executive director, last year the organization partnered with 25 agencies serving Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander and White Pine counties.

"It’s about what matters most to the citizens in our towns," said Gillies. "We are here to find the solutions to their most pressing social service concerns by bringing all interested parties together in order to create a lasting change in community conditions."

According to Gillies, the 2004-2005 campaign created a record-breaking year for UWGB, with over $1 million invested by residents and companies in the area. "The communities I serve continue to amaze me with their phenomenal level of involvement in our program each year," Gillies said. "Participation continues to grow at a double-digit pace, which creates a larger pool of resources for us to work with when offering solutions."

One of the largest contributors to the annual campaign is Newmont Mining Corporation, which last year matched employees’ United Way contributions dollar for dollar. In 2004, Newmont employee participation in the campaign increased from 68 percent to 75 percent, which led to a total $779,764 contribution from Newmont and its employees, said Gillies.

Scott Santti, general manager of Newmont’s Eastern Nevada operations, said the United Way campaigns are a positive experience for employees and for the community. "I think it’s great that people are participating at a higher level," Santti said. "It’s a terrific way for the company to join with employees to benefit the entire community."

Much of the early and continued success of the United Way in Northern Nevada can be attributed to the large mining industry presence in the area, even though not all companies participate each year. "It would be great if all the mining companies in the area got involved in the United Way’s campaigns," Santti said. "I would encourage every one of them to participate."

There are many different ways for individuals and companies to get involved with United Way campaigns. Companies can contribute to overhead costs of the local United Way, or they can match employee contributions in the annual campaign. Individuals can get involved by organizing and volunteering in community benefits or through monetary contributions.

Although UWGB has only existed for eight years, the United Way has been making changes in the community since 1991. Under the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierras, the first campaign held in Elko in 1991 generated about $27,000, which led to the funding of five partner agencies. An independent Northern Nevada chapter, United Way of the Great Basin, was formed in 1996.

"The benefit of contributing to the United Way is in its simplicity," said Gillies. "The United Way is a one-stop non-profit that supports a range of services in the area. Annual campaigns generate contributions that are then divided among the many non-profit agencies. These agencies apply during an annual funding review, which is managed by a panel of community representatives. The agencies range from local food banks and shelters to support of local youth activities. All funds are invested in an agency in the donor’s home zip code unless he or she directs the gift to a specific organization.

"People want to be part of the process," Gillies said. "Our job is to empower them with creative opportunities to do so as seamlessly as possible."

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