Introduction
United Way has been successfully serving Kingston, Lennox, Frontenac, and Addington for over 75 years. The strategic plan is intended for over 3 to 5 years which allows United Way to create significant and impactful actions in the community.
The results of 2017 fundraising campaign have opened a wide range of opportunities for the organization to serve better Kingston, Lennox, Frontenac, and Addington areas. In the following paragraph, I will attempt a SWOT and PEST analysis that will allow United Way to make major and effective decisions in the future
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
United Way possesses lot strengths that allow the organization to impact the local community. Strengths such as a well-defined Mission, Vision and Values, increased Resources, dedicated board of directors, enthusiastic volunteers and professional staff, strong network of fundraisers and community partners across Kingston region, far-reaching intervention in different sectors within the Community, a long history of involvement in the community with tangible results and a future-oriented and forward-thinking approach.
Weaknesses
Despite the tremendous work being accomplished United Way must ensure that its community partners are equipped with right tools to operate efficiently and have the meaningful impact on the community. For example, the deficiency in frontline knowledge among partners’ teams could affect United Way goals. Another weakness would be competing with other organizations and the risk of focusing too much on present goals dismissing new ideas.
Opportunities
There are a large number of opportunities that United Way could invest in such as youth drug problem and Aboriginal youth suicide issues. The board of directors must ensure that the resources are investing in durable projects. United Way could have their qualified personnel looking into current and future trends to make sure that their resources are well disbursed.
Threats
We have seen in the article, the employers have successfully raised a significant amount of money in 2017 but any financial issue within these companies could be a threat to United Way resources. Considering the facts that United Way’s Community partners work with vulnerable sectors any ethical or moral violation can place the organization in perilous positions
PEST Analysis
Political
The new Ontario minimum wage could have an impact on the amount being raised by employers for United Way. The Government could also increase the vetting and screening process frontline Staff that deals with at-risk groups. In addition to that, an organization like United Way must demonstrate compliance with governing documents but also charities and fundraising laws.
Economic
The recent change in the minimum wage can have a significant impact on how United will choose to run activities. For example, seeking more volunteers for some activities rather than paid services because as explained in their Annual report ‘We actively solicit in-kind donations, sponsorships, pro-bono services and the support of volunteers to keep expenses as low as possible. This ensures that as much as possible of every dollar goes directly to the community.'(United Way KFLA Annual Report, 2016, p. 5)
Another important factor to consider is also trends in the labour market. Fluctuations and layoffs and government cuts can impact United Way Strategy.
Social
Social trends such poverty, Housing, homelessness, demographic changes, ethnic and religious diversity, immigration are key factors that United Way must take into consideration when drafting their strategy. They may need to take into consideration diversity when hiring and provide diversity training to their staff and volunteers. This will create awareness and understanding of clients’ needs.
Technology
Technology will have an enormous impact on United Way Plan. For example when trying to find solutions for Youth issues United Way need to analyze the impact of technology on millennials’ lives and incorporate that into their action plan. The same will be required from personnel.