The size of a consolidated organization will increase efficiencies, reduce duplications, and build on the collective strengths which will ultimately lead to more funding available for partners and programs that improve people’s lives in our region.

While both organizations are strong, each faces structural, fundraising, and communication/marketing challenges that will ultimately impede our ability to address community issues and adapt to the rapidly changing regional workforce and philanthropic landscape.

The merged United way will continue to champion the unique identities of all our communities.

This year’s 2022 campaign will be immediately integrated to ensure success in the Fall of 2022. We will continue to honor the requests of individual donors who want their gifts to remain local.

At the same time, a merged United Way will have a great ability to address community needs that are common across the region, such as transportation, youth mental health, and substance use disorder prevention, intervention, and community building.

The issues faced by our communities in the areas of Health, Education, and Income do not end at county lines.

With giving trends across the country changing and, in some cases, even declining, conservative 10-year projections show that a merged organization will have significantly more community funding available than a single entity.

The size of a consolidated organization will increase efficiencies, reduce duplications, and build on the collective strengths and is expected to mobilize human and financial resources more effectively across the region.

During our hybrid year, as a combined organization, we have already seen an increase in grant funding due to our expanded footprint.

Our two organizations have been collaborating and sharing programs, such as United in Recovery and the Revolving Car Loan, for over five years.

Both organizations will benefit from the combined efforts and staff expertise, utilizing market knowledge, giving history, and applying best practices.

The Merger will help us mobilize communities for change, while still maintaining the value of locally based relationships, knowledge, and identity.

Enhance the ability to effectively accomplish our shared mission and serve our communities.

Respect and honor the intentions of our donors.

Maintain and coordinate individual community identities as we create a unified brand.

Maintain communications that are both united and focused

Ensure leaders from both Greater Susquehanna Valley and Columbia-Montour United Ways will be represented on the new board of directors and operating committees.

Be aware of and responsive to differences in community culture.

To be successful, we must change the way we do business:

- Increasing engagement with the community

- Creating and solidifying relationships with individuals and institutions

- Aligning our focus and developing new strategies

- Executing the plan and strategies at a higher, regional level

- Improving how we measure, evaluate, and communicate results