2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
Background
United Way of Allegheny County has undertaken a multi-year effort to redesign the process of allocating
unrestricted dollars from its Impact Fund in order to:
 Identify and address critical needs in our region
 Invest in agency partners – both current and new - that can best meet these needs
 Grow the Impact Fund to provide additional resources to our partners
 Help more people in need.
United Way believes the objective assessment of community needs is an important enhancement to our current
agency allocation process. In 2006, as an early step in the redesign of the allocation process, United Way
assembled the Needs Assessment Task Team consisting of community stakeholders to make recommendations
on priority areas that present both urgent needs and opportunities for significant impact by United Way within
Allegheny County.
United Way worked with the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development to conduct a Community
Needs Assessment to provide this task team with the necessary data to inform its recommendations on priority
needs. The full Needs Assessment Report can be viewed on the United Way web site:
http://www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org/uploadedFiles/Find_Help/NeedsAssess06-07.pdf
The July 2008 Request for Proposals (RFP) is directed to community priorities identified in the Needs
Assessment Report for Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities. Additional critical
needs will be addressed through funding priorities identified for separate RFP cycles.
Proposal Process
While agencies are not limited in the amount of support they may request from United Way for the proposed
project, the total expected to be available to invest in this RFP will be approximately $720,000. United Way
will use the current average agency allocation of $150,000 as its benchmark when making awards. Funding
awards will be announced in December 2008 to be effective for the period April 2009 through June 30,
2011 contingent upon annual performance reports (9 quarters).
The RFP involves a three-part process.
STEP 1: Due August 4, 2008, 5 pm
Applicants will email a Proposal Summary and preliminary documentation including:
a. Proposal Summary Form (four page maximum and the cover page)
b. Logic Model Form for the program / service for which funding is requested (two page maximum)
c. Organizational Eligibility Tool
d. Supporting documentation – IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
STEP 2: Due September 26, 2008, 5 pm
By Invitation Only
Applicants selected through Step 1 will be invited to email a Full Proposal, including:
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
a. Detailed program description (eight page maximum)
b. Evaluation Plan for the program /service for which funding is requested (three page maximum)
c. Agency Budget Form
d. Agency Self Assessment of Capacity
e. Supporting documentation including:
- audit(s) covering two years for agencies with contributions/revenues greater than $300,000; for those
at or below $300,000, year-to-date Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) and Statement of
Activities (Income Statement) are required for FY2006-07 or FY 2007.
- most recent IRS Form 990;
- Board list
STEP 3: Target Dates – October 23 – 28, 2008
Finalists in the selection process will participate in a Site Visit. The site visit, conducted by a
multidisciplinary review team including community and corporate volunteers and United Way staff, will
focus both on the proposed service for which funding is requested, and a more in-depth exploration of the
agency’s capacity.
Applicants who are awarded funding will make a commitment to participate in capacity building and
training as a condition of the grant. Funding beyond Year One is contingent on Year One performance.
Eligibility
Applications may be submitted by a single agency or a collaborative of multiple agencies, providing that at
least the lead agency meets the following criteria:
 501(c)(3) organization located and providing a health or human service in Allegheny County
 In full compliance with all federal, state, county and local requirements and laws pertaining to nonprofits, including the USA Patriot Act and other counterterrorism laws
 Meets the requirements of the Solicitations of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act passed by the
Pennsylvania General Assembly in December, 1990
 Is able to provide all documentation as noted in Step 1 and Step 2
Timeframe for Applicants
2008
July 1
RFP forms and information available on United Way web site
July 8 & 10
Information and training sessions for potential applicants
August 4
Step 1: Proposal Summary and related documents due by 5 p.m.
September 9
Invitations to submit full proposals issued
September 16 and 18
Step 2 Training for Agencies – Evaluation Plans & Data Gathering
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
September 26
Step 2: Full proposals and related documents due by 5 p.m.
October 17
Candidates for site visits notified
October 23 - 28
Site visits completed
November 4
Funding recommendations made by review teams to Impact Cabinet
December 9
Funding approved by Board
December 15
Agencies notified of funding decisions
April 1
First year funding available
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
Benefits for Applicants and the United Way
United Way recognizes that this application process will require an investment of time and effort. Applicants
will benefit from participation in this RFP in several ways, whether they are eventually funded or not. Specific
benefits to all applicants include:
 Completion of the Organizational Eligibility Tool will inform applicants of any areas where they may
be potentially out of compliance with federal or state regulations, or where they might not be engaging
in widely recognized “best practices” for nonprofits. This will enable agencies to take corrective action
if needed.
 Completion of the Logic Model and Evaluation Plan will provide applicants the opportunity to be sure
that their program activities are leading to measurable, positive results for participants. It will provide
a basis for effective program evaluation, an important tool for future fund raising efforts.
 Completion of the Agency Self Assessment is useful for agency executives, board members and staff
to assist with planning for future growth and increased capacity for the agency.
 All applicants will be invited to participate in training and technical assistance to learn to use these
tools and to apply them for their own strategic planning.
United Way also benefits from the use of this RFP in that it will help us identify and fund high performing
agencies.
United Way will seek feedback from applicants to enhance the process for future applicants and reviewers.
All applicants must make a commitment to completing brief surveys evaluating the RFP process.
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
Funding Priorities
Statement of Need
Pennsylvania has the second highest older population by percentage in the nation, with 15.6% age 65 and over,
compared to 12% nationwide. In Allegheny County the senior population is disproportionately higher,
comprising 17.9% of the total population, and seniors over 80 comprise 5.5% of the total. Demographic shifts
have also occurred in the senior population as reflected in 2000 census data that showed a 36% growth rate for
seniors age 85 and older in Allegheny County. In addition, since 2000 there has been a sharp increase in the
age group 50-64, which points to future growth in the senior population as the first wave of the “Baby
Boomer” generation enters retirement age within the next ten years. 1
Concurrent with these aging trends is the increasing number of frail seniors (age 85+) living in the community
requiring additional support services in order to remain in their homes. In fact, the United Way Needs
Assessment study found that in Allegheny County:
 50% of Seniors over 75 who live in the community have a disabling condition
 4 out of 10 seniors live alone
 Between the ages of 65 – 75, nearly 1 out of every 3 previously well seniors develops a form of disability
 From 2000 to 2005, the percent of householders with seniors remained steady at 28%
Growth in the age 85 and over population, and higher corresponding rates of disabilities, point to the likely
increased demand and need for more home and community based supports, acute services and cost-intensive
care management services to keep seniors healthy and safe in the community. In addition, because these
demographic percentages refer to a needy population who are not yet institutionalized, it highlights the need to
build community capacity to increase the availability of alternative, non-institutional care services.
Increasing poverty rates have also put a further strain on the older adult’s ability to keep pace with the cost of
living, secure adequate levels of support services and meet their appropriate housing needs. Since 2000, the
local senior poverty rate rose, whereas the statewide rate remained stable. In fact, the 2006 census estimates
for Allegheny County placed the poverty rate at 9% for those 65 and over; and poverty rates for AfricanAmericans and women were even disproportionately higher.2 According to the Pennsylvania economic
security standard index the need for home and community-based supports can more than double an elder’s
expenses, significantly increasing the income needed just to meet basic needs. In 2007 the average social
security payment in Allegheny County covered only 80% of the basic need expenses for a senior in good
health.3 The rising cost of owning or renting a home is particularly problematic for seniors, many of whom live
on fixed incomes. Between 1999 and 2005, the percent of seniors who could ill-afford their home
4
(rent/mortgage + utilities > 30% of income) increased at a faster rate than the state average. Economically,
housing has become increasingly less affordable for fixed income seniors, driving previously financially selfsufficient seniors towards near-poor conditions. This can be a particularly difficult transition because many of
these seniors are not familiar with or have been previously engaged in government assistance programs (e.g.,
energy assistance).
Population shifts in the older population in Allegheny County also indicate a potential mismatch between
available community providers and older adults most in need for services. Census estimates for 2006
indicated that only 21.7% of the county’s older adult population now lives in the City of Pittsburgh. Yet many
1
UWAC Needs Assessment data indicates that the population 50-59 has increased 13% and 14% respectively for the 60-64 with an increase of 6% in
Seniors over 80 since 2000. As of 2005 50-64 age group comprised 18.4% of the total population in Allegheny County
2
Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging Plan, 2008
3
Elder Economic Security Initiative, 1-4 seniors relies solely on social security 2007 as a source of income
4
United Way Needs Assessment 2006-2007
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
human services providers serving the older adult population have not moved or expanded their service range
beyond the city. Moreover, new service providers have not emerged in many suburban areas with these new
concentrations, creating service availability issues for older adults in these areas.5
While nearly all seniors are covered through some form of government and private health insurance, a
substantial percent of seniors still do not engage in basic preventative care or health and wellness services.
The number of older people (50+) receiving a flu shot during a 12 month period remained steady at just over
50% of the population from 2001 – 2005. The percent of seniors who had pneumonia vaccinations also held
steady between 65 – 66%. Battling social isolation and maintaining physical wellness and active lifestyles
remain significant challenges for seniors as 4 out of 10 seniors live alone.
The majority of support for seniors in the community comes from family and friends who provide 80% of all
the unpaid care in the home. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, this represents 44 million
men and women in the United States. In fact, it is estimated nationally that U.S. businesses lose on average
more than $11 billion annually on lost productivity, to employees caring for family members who often suffer
from caregiver stress, depression and poor health status. Meeting these caregiver needs is critical to Allegheny
County and without effective interventions exacts a large cost to society, families, and individuals.
Another concern identified in the needs assessment is the number of older adults who are no longer able to
support the care of their disabled children without additional outside assistance. This growing need to support
adults with disabilities in the community has been exacerbated as state funding has fallen short of the need. In
the retardation and developmental disability area alone, funding has been decreasing while the waiting list for
services remains very high, at 50% - 75%. Between 2004 and 2007, the number of people with mental
retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD) registering for county assistance and service remained
relatively steady at around 6,000. Over 40% of these registrants had no subsidies with which to pay for care –
the largest share, 67%, of this population were among adults (21-64), followed by 19% in children under age
18. Because of the overall lack of funding from the state, the MR/DD care waiting list is persistently long. In
fact only 36% of the people registering for care in 2007 are being fully served.
The United Way’s goal in addressing such serious community needs is to invest funds
strategically, focusing on those areas where the investment can have far reaching positive
effects. Through the 2008 RFP process we are looking for nonprofit partners that can help us:


Ensure vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities access necessary home and community based
services in order to remain healthy and safe in their homes
Achieve the community and program outcomes outlined below
Preferred Outcomes
Proposals chosen for funding will focus on achieving and providing a comprehensive plan for measuring at
least one of the following preferred long-term outcomes:

Increase the number of frail and vulnerable seniors or adults with disabilities who remain safely in their
homes or in a least restrictive community-based setting
 Increase the number of caregivers able to keep their family member at home
Supporting Outcomes:

Increase the number of vulnerable and frail seniors or adults with disabilities that receive necessary safety
checks, home modifications, immunizations and preventative health screenings
5
AAA 2008 Planning report
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities


Increase the number of frail seniors and adults with disabilities that have adequate/improved nutritional,
health, and/or functional status
Increase the number of low-income seniors or adults with disabilities that have greater access to subsidized
programs such as rent rebates, appropriate levels of housing, tax abatements and SSI
Target Populations
Proposed programs must serve one or more of the following target populations
 Seniors at 125%-300% of the federal poverty income guidelines and demonstrating need for additional
unsubsidized home and community based services
 Seniors with one or more functional disability
 Seniors over age 85
 African American or single female seniors
 Living in geographic areas with high concentrations of seniors, high rates of senior poverty and
lacking adequate access to Home and Community Based Services
 Isolated Seniors who live alone with one of these above listed risk factors
 Adults with disabilities without access to MR/DD subsidized services
Scoring Criteria
Proposals will be rated according to the following criteria:
The Program Serves a Population with Great Needs: Does the program serve one of the target
populations? Is a high need neighborhood being served?
The Program Achieves Measurable Results: What is the agency’s history serving the target
population, delivering this program or similar programs? What is the evidence that this program
achieves the desired outcomes? Is there evidence that the program has or is likely to meet the outcomes
identified in the RFP or other significant relevant outcomes for a high number of participants compared
to providers of similar services?
The Program Utilizes A Sound Approach: Is there evidence that this program or program model are
effective? Is there a process for continuous improvement? Is there a reliable data system to record
participant demographics, participation and results? Is the program more effective by its capability to
consider and respond to the cultural needs of participants? Does the program increase access to and
regular participation in existing services?
Are the services designed to prevent the development of serious problems in the future? Does the effort
demonstrate a model that if proven effective could be replicated more broadly and lead to policy and or
system change?
Does the program design include partners and work across systems? What is the agency’s record of
collaboration? What is the program’s budget, basis for sustainability (beyond United Way revenues) and
ability to leverage other dollars?
The Proposal is Aligned with the Preferred Outcomes:
Does the program align with the United Way’s funding priorities and long term outcomes?
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2008 United Way Request for Proposal
Assisting Vulnerable Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
Examples of service strategies are listed below. Note this is not a comprehensive list and other strategies
and approaches are welcome.

Increased information, access, and coordination of flexible, home and community-based services for
target populations

Increased outreach and access to financial assistance programs for low income target populations

Increased access for in-home supports that leverage subsidized or volunteer services for target
populations

Planning/case management assistance for the transition to appropriate community living
arrangements
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