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United Way of Ocean County’s Agency Certification process ensures that only agencies that operate with the highest standards can achieve “United Way of Ocean County Certified Agency” status and be considered for funding.  Once certified, agencies may request funding, through our annual allocations process, for programs that can demonstrate the ability to make a measurable impact on an area determined to present a high priority community need.  For the 2008-2009 allocations cycle, the areas determined by our Community Needs Assessment to be high priority community need areas are:

Emphasis Level I:

• Housing
• Transportation
• Affordable Medical Care
• Information and Education about existing services
• Improved Access to Services (including programs that are sensitive to linguistic and cultural needs)
• Substance Abuse
• Abuse/Neglect & Violence Intervention/Prevention Programs

Emphasis Level II:

• Child Care
• Literacy, Educational & Vocational Opportunities
• Youth Development
• Emergency Basic Needs

The UWOC Certification process is open to all qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations providing services to Ocean County residents.  Once all required documentation is received by UWOC staff, an experienced volunteer team, made up of board members, civilian volunteers, and UWOC staff, will conduct a comprehensive review of the applicant agency’s relevance in regards to Emphasis Levels I & II, and its financial, programmatic, and operating qualifications.  This review will include a mandatory site visit. 

Agencies will be required to recertify each year in order to continue to be considered for funding.

*Please note that Agency Certification is required to be considered for UWOC funding, but that certification does not guarantee funding. 

United Way of Ocean County is proud to feature its Certified Agencies in the UWOC annual fundraising campaign.  Certified Agencies are also promoted and identified to community, clients, and friends as a “UWOC Certified Agency” through year round UWOC marketing efforts and collateral materials.

Standards for Certification

2007 Certification Manual