Investment Reviewer Volunteers Needed!

Are you interested in helping to decide how United Way donations are invested in the Southern Maine community? United Way of Southern Maine is seeking volunteer investment reviewers to help drive community change! Investment reviewers play a critical role in our Community Investment process and inform how United Way of Southern Maine invests local dollars as we work toward a better community for all.

Ready to get involved? Read the details below and then complete the investment volunteer interest form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CV8JSKY

Position Overview:

The primary role of this position is to review submitted applications for funding and recommend investments based on a given set of criteria. Volunteers will make funding recommendations to United Way of Southern Maine’s (UWSM) Community Investment Steering Committee (CISC) as well as its Board of Directors. During the application review process, volunteers will review using criteria including: use of data-driven program activities and evidence-based best practices or promising practices that are based in research; demonstrating measurable impact on Thrive2027 strategies, tracking and evaluation of program implementation; dedication to advancing racial equity; solid management and fiscal soundness; commitment to collaboration, and organization and program sustainability.

Diversity Statement: 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to achieving our mission, living our values, and advancing the common good. United Way of Southern Maine fosters and promotes an inclusive environment that leverages the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations in all aspects of our work. We know that by bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together we can more effectively create opportunities for a better life for all. Please find our full Diversity and Inclusion statement here: https://uwsme.org/diversity-inclusion/.      

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete and adhere to UWSM Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality forms.  
• Using our grantmaking software, review and evaluate submitted community investment applications and make recommendations based on a specified set of UWSM investment criteria. 
• Attend, prepare for, and participate in the review and recommendation process. 
• Participate in training and information sessions as appropriate. 
• Ensure UWSM is funding the appropriate portfolio of investments to make an impact on the Thrive2027 Goals.  
• Provide feedback for review process improvement to staff liaison. 

Initial Impacts:

• Requests for grant funding will be reviewed by community representatives. 
• Volunteers will analyze an organization’s ability to meet Thrive2027 Goals, based on a specified set of criteria. 
• Investment recommendations will be made to UWSM’s governing bodies. 

Sustained Outcomes:

• Volunteers will learn about Thrive2027 and UWSM’s work in support of the Thrive2027 Goals. 
• Volunteers will gain a broad perspective of community needs and best practices. 
• Volunteers will help to ensure UWSM’s community investments make measurable progress on the Thrive2027 Goals and Framework. 

Training & Support Provided:

• Volunteers will receive communication and support from a UWSM Community Impact staff member. 
• Volunteers will receive a general overview of United Way and Thrive2027 Goals. 
• Volunteers will receive training about the investment process, including login information to access online applications, appropriate materials, and an overview of the criteria and scoring rubric. 

Time Commitment/Schedule:

• Volunteers must participate in investment process overview training and goal-specific training (approximately 2.5 hours).
  • Goal-specific training –  
    • Goal 1: January 29 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. 
    • Goal 2: January 31 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. 
    • Goal 3: January 31 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.   

• • All reviewer training (includes capacity building reviewers): February 8 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.   
  • Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend each training (though we appreciate attendance whenever possible).
• Volunteers must commit to approximately 20 hours to review electronic applications between late February and March 21. NOTE: Time commitment may vary depending on the number of volunteers recruited and the number of applications received. 
• Volunteers must submit their evaluation of applications electronically, based on specified criteria, by the stated deadline.  
• Goal area volunteers must commit to participating in two review & recommendation meetings  
  • Goal 1: April 9 (9:00 – 3:00 p.m.) and April 23 (9:00 – 3:00 p.m.) 
  • Goal 2: April 10 (10:30 – 5:00 p.m.) and April 24 (12:30 – 5:00 p.m.) 
  • Goal 3: April 11 (9:00 – 3:00 p.m.) and April 25 (9:00 – 3:00 p.m.)  
• Capacity building volunteers must commit to participate in one review & recommendation meeting 
  • Capacity building: April 8 (8:00 – 12:00 p.m.) 
• A small number of ‘read-only’ reviewer slots are available for those who would like to review and score applications but are unable to attend the Review & Recommendation meetings. 

Qualifications & Skills Needed:

• Volunteers should have general knowledge of the community. 
• Volunteers should be able to make difficult decisions and be a neutral party when reviewing applications. 
• Volunteers should have the ability to follow specified criteria to evaluate applications. 

Conflict of Interest:

• Volunteers are required to sign a Conflict-of-Interest form. UWSM strives to avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest which could compromise, tarnish, or otherwise damage the reputation of UWSM, as well as undermine the public’s trust in United Way and its community partners, staff, and volunteers. A conflict of interest can occur if an outside interest competes with one’s ability to serve in a manner consistent with the interests of UWSM. 
• UWSM therefore avoids any activity or outside interest that conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of the organization, including volunteer investment reviewer involvement with a current or potential UWSM grantee unless disclosed to and not deemed to be inappropriate by UWSM’s Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Governance.  
• It is critical that an Investment Reviewer remain aware of their duty of loyalty to UWSM in the spirit of fairness to all parties that have funding relationships with UWSM. Even the appearance of undue gain to the benefit of an agency receiving UWSM funding could tarnish UWSM’s reputation as a funder. 

Benefits:

• Volunteers will participate in the community investment process to ensure community resources are appropriately distributed. 
• Volunteers will have the opportunity to network with other community volunteers and UWSM staff. 
• Volunteers will develop/enhance awareness of community programs, needs, and leaders. 
• Volunteers will engage in a rewarding process that helps inform funding decisions to work towards a better community for all.   

Ready to get involved? Complete the investment volunteer interest form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CV8JSKY