UNITED WAY OF MISSOULA COUNTY

form 990, part iii, line 4a - program service accomplishmentsthrough broad-based, results-oriented collaborations with other nonprofits, donors, businesses, the university of montana, local and county government, the school district, the faith community and other diverse partners, united way drives progress in implementing solutions to identified priorities in its three areas of focus.united way also serves as a conduit for donors who desire a trusted, one-stop way to invest in high-quality programs that produce measurable results, ensuring that charitable dollars are spent wisely and well in the community. current initiatives in which united way plays a leadership role in terms of visioning, convening, funding, staffing, and in-kind assistance include the following:education: missoula zero to five (working to ensure that all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and thrive)dolly parton's imagination library (free book-gifting program that promotes kindergarten readiness); back to school backpacks (annual school-supply drive).financial stability: reaching home: missoula's 10-year plan to end homelessness. united way remains the plan's principal private-sector fundraiser and advocate, securing funding for the temporary safe outdoor space and the centralized housing solutions fund. Missoula Child Care Advantage an innovative approach to expanding child care slots in the short-term and stabilizing existing child care providers across the community for the long-term.health: 5-2-1-0 let's move! missoula (encouragingincreased physical activity and healthy eating in school aged children through midday move); project tomorrow montana (suicideprevention); missoula substance use disorder connect (promoting prevention, treatment and support for those in recovery).disaster relief: wildfire ready missoula (reduce catastrophic property loss in the wildland urban interface). united way is also missoula county's designated financial partner, serving as a repository for private donations to alleviate natural disasters, such as fire and floods. united way receives, acknowledges and, with a panel of volunteer advisors, disburses donated funds to help families and organizations affected bynatural disasters. united way also provides grant funding to carefully screened and qualified nonprofit organizations in missoula and ravalli counties whose work aligns with and advances the goals of the above education, financial stability and health initiatives. each initiative has its own advisory board of local volunteers with expertise in the respective initiative areas. funding decisions are made collaboratively by united way staff, members of the community impact committee, andthe board of directors. funded programs comply with certain mutually agreed-upon conditions, spelled out in written memoranda of understanding, and results are evaluated by united way, in order to ensure that donor dollars are invested wisely and well.