[8/28/2001]The United Way of West Central Mississippi is giving its 24 funded agencies and the community a chance to rate the organization’s past efforts as a guide for the future.

A survey containing 35 to 40 questions will be administered in October by the Mississippi Development Authority of Jackson.

“We hope to be able to share not only strengths and weaknesses of United Way but things we can do better as an organization,” said Barbara Tolliver, president of the organization that exists to raise funds so that member agencies may focus on services. “We are hoping to be able to bring in community people, city leaders and county leaders and to say these are some needs in the community we need to address.”

The survey will ask participants such questions as “Where would you like to see your charitable dollars being used?” and “How would you rate your local United Way?”

The Mississippi Development Authority, a state agency that assists local and statewide businesses during different stages of development, will survey 200 to 275 people, including donors, non-donors, young and old, Tolliver said.

An eight-member MDA staff will administer the survey and will compile the data that is scheduled to be released by early 2002, said Linda Foreman, manager for the West Central Regional Office for community services’ division of MDA.

The face-to-face surveys will take about 30 minutes to complete and respondents’ identities will be confidential, Foreman said.

During its last campaign, about 17,000 people were solicited for donations and about 7,000 to 8,000 donated.

The survey may also show United Way what current agencies need more financial assistance and could identify other organizations that the United Way does not assist, said Bryan Brabston, chairman of United Way’s board.

“We just want to find out from people what can be improved, done better and what can we do to develop a stronger, healthier community,” Brabston said.

The cost of a survey was a worry for United Way, but the state is footing the bill through the MDA, Tolliver said.

The United Way here has been a national model for more than a decade with record levels of giving for a community Vicksburg’s size. However, calculations show there is more potential.

“It (the survey) will let our donors know what the needs are and that we are providing solutions to the problems as they will be indicated through the needs assessment,” Tolliver said.

Separate from the survey, this year’s campaign is under way. Individuals and companies are being asked for checks and pledges to total a goal of $1.8 million. If the campaign were just in Warren County, that would mean a donation of $36 from every man, woman and child about a dime a day.