United Way of Southeast Mississippi has teamed up with FamilyWize to help lower the cost of prescription medicines for people with no prescription drug coverage.  For more information about the program, click here.  For a complete list of local, participating pharmacies, click here.

Are you a Diamond Donor?  Have you been giving to United Way - any United Way - for 25 years or more?  If so, we want to know about it.

United Way of Southeast Mississippi recently adopted a new strategic plan.  Click here for more information.

Hattiesburg appreciates the support of our sister city, St. Cloud, Minnesota.  Check out the websites of United Way of Central Minnesota and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.

Allocation of Funds                

How does it work?

The funds distribution committee is comprised of about 60 volunteers representing a cross section of the community. The committee assesses community needs and assists in deciding the most effective way to
distribute funds to United Way’s partner agencies. It is the committee’s responsibility to ensure that each donor’s campaign contributions are invested in closely-monitored local programs.

The volunteers from the committee visit the partner agencies at least once a year to see the money in action and evaluate each program’s effectiveness. During the on-site visit, agencies give a presentation explaining their programs and services and investment of United Way funds. The committee also asks questions regarding the agencies’ budgets.

The Funds Distribution Committee invests about 1,000 volunteer hours each year reviewing agency budgets and programs and assessing community needs in Forrest, Lamar and Perry Counties. The Community-Wide Needs Assessment, recently completed in 2005, is a valuable tool for evaluating the relative merit of new services and programs proposed by the various agencies.

To view how much money each partner agency will receive from United Way of Southeast Mississippi in 2007-08, click here to read our 2006 Annual Report online.

Designated Monies

The Monies designated to specific agencies are allocated to agencies by separate stream funding.  The designations, less applicable campaign expenses, are paid directly to qualified agencies. The Funds Distribution  Committee reviews each agency’s programs and decides how much funding they will receive without knowledge of the specific amount of designations they will receive.

Community-Wide Needs Assessment

A thorough and comprehensive study of the needs and concerns in Forrest, Lamar and Perry Counties was conducted in 1987, 1991, 1995, 2000 and 2005. 

The most recent study determined three strategic drivers and initiatives:

*Expand the strategic role of United Way of Southeast Mississippi in the community

*Enhance the quality of life for youth in the community

*Mobilize healthcare resources for those who cannot afford it

These areas of concern summarize the top 14 areas determined by the needs assessment.



Top 14 Concerns:
Community-Wide Needs Assessment

Fourteen major concerns were identified by the Needs Assessment. The top concerns of our  community are listed in the order ranked by the citizens of Southeast Mississippi:

1. Providing healthcare for people who cannot afford it
2. Teenage pregnancy
3. Lack of money to buy medical supplies
4. Sexually transmitted diseases
5. Availability of services for the elderly
6. Violence among family members
7. Organized leadership/guidance activities for teens
8. Availability of transportation for social and medical services
9. Availability of affordable, quality housing
10. Availability of assistance in securing affordable, quality housing
11. Availability of skills and services to help people find jobs
12. Illiteracy
13. Ability to take care of basic necessities
14. Availability of resources for mental illness

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