Palm Beach United Way Grant Allocation Process: Volunteer driven, staff managed
At the core of our United Way is the volunteer-driven grant review process.
Each year, the Town of Palm Beach United Way recruits a diverse group of dedicated community representatives with a broad range of expertise and skill to serve as the eyes and ears of more than 3,500 donors. Members of this Allocation Committee participate in a three-month grant review process to ensure that donors’ dollars are distributed wisely, fairly and objectively. Volunteer training includes an overview of key issues in the community, instruction on how to read an IRS 990, information on best practices in the non-profit sector and an outline of the United Way’s quality standards.
Agency Spotlight: Catholic Charities
Although 1 in 4 adults live with a diagnosable mental health disorder, Florida ranks 49th in the nation in funding for mental health services. A mental health concern that isn’t addressed often becomes a mental illness leading to the need for more extensive services and the risk of greater consequences, including suicide.
This year the Town of Palm Beach United Way invested $211,500 into mental health programs in Palm Beach County. We support 12 programs at 6 non-profit partner agencies in our community that serve a total of 15,229 individuals struggling with mental health concerns.
One of those agencies is Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach. Read more 
Town of Palm Beach United Way Annual Meeting celebrates campaign, honors retired attorney
The Town of Palm Beach United Way held its Annual Meeting Thursday, April 26, at The Breakers to thank board members and donors for a successful campaign and to celebrate a season of many accomplishments.
Highlights of the meeting include:
- An entertaining step performance from the Pine Gove Inspiring Steppers.
Click HERE to see the performance!
- An inspiring personal story from the 2018 Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Youth of the Year, David Wooten.
- An update on campaigns from Atesh Chandra (Treasure Chest), Stephen Hall, Jr. (Business and Professional), Alison Sieving (Red Feather) and Mary Freitas (Tocqueville).
The campaign is currently at $4,540,875 and still climbing.
Town of Palm Beach United Way business breakfast emphasizes sports as a vehicle for change
National Football League team owners Stephen Ross and Jonathan Tisch discussed the importance of philanthropy in sports at the Town of Palm Beach United Way Business and Professional Breakfast on Monday, February 26 at The Breakers Palm Beach. About 250 business and community leaders attended the 28th annual event.
“As an owner, we have a platform and responsibility to create positive change and engage in constructive dialogue around social issues in our community,” said Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins. “Sports has the power to be used as a vehicle for promoting understanding, respect and equality. If we can use sports to break barriers among people of different backgrounds, we can use sports to build bridges and develop solutions to important societal issues.”
Photo by Capehart
Tisch, owner of the New York Giants, moderated the chat. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the partnership between the NFL and United Way — the longest running partnership in history between a major sports league and a nonprofit organization. Read more
Caregivers Day: Recognizing Palm Beach County agencies that provide care to the most vulnerable in our community
National Caregivers Day, observed annually on the third Friday of February, is a day to recognize and thank caregivers who provide quality, compassionate care in our community.
In Palm Beach County, there are about 65,000 elderly residents with dementia. There are about 22,300 children living in households headed by grandparents or relative caregivers. And, there are about 150,000 people with disabilities.
The Town of Palm Beach United Way helps fund programs at several non profit agencies in Palm Beach County that support our most vulnerable residents, many of whom would otherwise “fall through the cracks.” Read more
Volunteer Spotlight: Michael Andrews
Our Volunteer Spotlight recognizes Town of Palm Beach United Way volunteers who are passionate, inspiring and dedicated. They are individuals committed to transforming lives and who invest in our vision of building healthy and strong communities.
Michael Andrews, of Palm Beach, has been a volunteer at the Town of Palm Beach United Way for more than 20 years. He serves on our Allocation Committee helping vet partner non-profit agencies in Palm Beach County to choose programs to fund that meet our focus areas of education, financial stability, health and basic needs.
Below, Michael answers a few questions about volunteering at the Town of Palm Beach United Way and what it means to him. Read more
Tax Reform Bill: 5 Ways donors and charities will be affected
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is keeping a close eye on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and is keeping you informed on the outcome and how it affects our organization and donors.
As of Dec. 20, 2017, Congress passed the tax bill and has moved it to the President to sign into law.
If approved in its current form and signed by the President, the bill will affect donors and organizations in the following ways:
Toy Drive: Hundreds of children to receive gifts this holiday season
More than 700 children will receive gifts this year thanks to the generosity of the Palm Beach community.
Superheroes, sports gear, dolls, puzzles, trucks, blocks and playsets have been pouring in the past three weeks during the 24th annual Palm Beach Toy Drive. The drive was in collaboration with the Palm Beach Daily News and Palm Beach Fire-Rescue to benefit children at Community Partners, El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center and The Glades Initiative. Read more
Turkey Trot: Thousands flock to island for annual Town of Palm Beach United Way race
A crowd of 1,300 runners, walkers and trotters kicked off Thanksgiving Day by participating in the 9th Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot.
The 5K race — the only one of its kind in Palm Beach — is a popular way for island residents and Palm Beach County locals to start their Thanksgiving holiday. Race entries provided Thanksgiving meals to more than 3,200 local residents.
“The annual Turkey Trot has become a very special tradition in Palm Beach,” said Deputy Town Manager Jay Boodheshwar, board chairman of the Town of Palm Beach United Way. “Not only does this event provide a wonderful opportunity for 1,300 supporters of the United Way to come together for a morning of fun and fellowship, but most importantly the proceeds of this event are donated to local nonprofits who feed the least fortunate among our neighbors.” Read more
Feeding Families: Turkey Trotters provide Thanksgiving meals to Palm Beach County residents in need
Thousands of Palm Beach County residents struggle to put food on their tables each night, making a Thanksgiving meal an even harder challenge. Some don’t even have a place where they can go to enjoy a Thanksgiving celebration.
The Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot helps change that. Now in its 9th year, the annual race provides a Thanksgiving meal to more than 3,200 local residents.
This year, Town of Palm Beach United Way was able to send checks to 20 health and human service agencies that provide Thanksgiving meals to clients in need. Some agencies, such as Adopt-A-Family, pack baskets to deliver to families, while others, such as The Lord’s Place, host memorable Thanksgiving feasts. Read more
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