FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jessica Pease
UCNA Administrative Assistant
United Way of Central Florida
jessica.pease@uwcf.org
LAKELAND, FL (March 1, 2022) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) and United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) announce the launch of the United Community Needs Assessment, a community needs assessment survey across the three counties both organizations serve – Polk, Hardee, and Highlands. The survey is designed to gather residents’ opinions on a variety of critical issues such as education, economy, employment opportunities, infrastructure, quality of life, and transportation.
The United Community Needs Assessment (UCNA) is administered through an online survey which can be found at ucneeds.com. The survey takes about 15 minutes to fill out and residents who are 18 years of age and older are encouraged to participate and share the survey with their community. Participants may enter to win a $50 Visa gift card upon completion of the survey.
In addition to the online survey, local nonprofit organizations will assist with survey administration and focus groups to engage with “hidden” or “hard-to-reach” populations and ensure that all voices within the community are heard and valued.
GWCF and UWCF are committed to improving the lives of those who live in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. By partnering through the United Community Needs Assessment, they aim to identify critical community needs and implement initiatives to address those needs. Results of the needs assessment will be shared with municipalities, businesses, service clubs, and the general public.
GWCF and UWCF created and distributed a request for proposals in 2021 and subsequently hired Q-Q Research Consultants to assist with the needs assessment. Members from each county were selected to serve on their respective county’s committee. These committees informed the design of their county’s survey to ensure that each survey reflects the perceived needs and perspectives of each county’s residents. Additionally, a steering committee with representatives from each county committee, GWCF, UWCF, and Q-Q Research Consultants oversees the needs assessment process.
The UCNA survey is online now through March 31, 2022, at ucneeds.com. For more information on the United Community Needs Assessment, please contact Jessica Pease, UCNA Administrative Assistant, at jessica.pease@uwcf.org.
About United Way of Central Florida: United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) works to improve lives and strengthen our community by identifying gaps in services and providing solutions. UWCF is a leader in building a stronger and healthier community by developing resources and creating partnerships that empower individuals to improve their lives. Through its funded and community partners, UWCF is working to address the most pressing needs in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties. UWCF is independently governed by a 35-member board and works with over 100 volunteers to direct funding to meet the needs of the community. To learn more, visit uwcf.org.
About GiveWell Community Foundation: The mission of the GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is to champion charitable giving to improve the quality of life in the areas we serve, both now and for future generations. We accomplish this by working with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to build stronger communities in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties through charitable funds and competitive grant cycles. Since its founding in 1997, the community foundation has awarded more than $250 million in grants. Today, GWCF is home to more than 300 charitable funds and the Impact Polk and Empower Polk grant cycles. To learn more about GWCF, visit givecf.org or call 863-683-3131.
About Q-Q Research Consultants: Q-Q Research Consultants is a women-owned 8(a) small business with over 20 years of experience using data, technology, and innovation to develop solutions for private and public business sectors and partnerships domestically and internationally. We provide high quality and personalized services. Some of our clients include government agencies, community service providers, school districts, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and post-secondary institutions. Learn more at qqresearchconsultants.com.
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