For the first time in its history, United Way of Douglas County is offering a special incentive to agencies working collaboratively to address a specific community need.

United Way officials announced Thursday, during their annual meeting, the creation of a Community Impact Fund using 2005 United Way campaign funds. The $50,000 award will be given to a United Way agency, working collaboratively with other agencies, businesses, organizations or citizens to work on a specific community problem.

“This is a new idea to get more organizations to collaborate their efforts,” said Fred Rodriguez, president-elect for the United Way board of directors. “We want them to pool resources to do more and have a bigger impact then they currently do.”

The $50,000 will be in addition to allocations typically made to the 27 United Way member agencies.

“We’re encouraging people to think outside the box,” he said.

Rodriguez said the fund was established with intentionally vague directives to encourage creativity.

Agencies must complete a needs assessment as part of their proposals, which will be due Aug. 15. Announcement of the awards will be made in December, with funding arriving in 2006.

Ann Gardner, chairwoman of the 2005 United Way campaign and editorial page editor of the Journal-World, said she thought the new fund would be a selling point for potential donors.

“It positions United Way of Douglas County as a dynamic agency to look at things differently and not being satisfied with the status quo,” Gardner said.

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