GRANTMAKERS WANT SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO JOIN REGISTRY.

Some of the region's leading private funders today launched a campaign to gather information for the first comprehensive regional database of health and social service providers across Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Regional Registry of Social Services (R2S2) will serve as a new tool for foundations, government and other funders to identify strong candidates for philanthropy in a variety of service areas. R2S2 is sponsored by several of the region's leading private funders of human services: the William Penn Foundation, The Philadelphia Foundation, the Nonprofit Finance Fund and United Way. Other foundations are expected to join the project in the coming months.

"There are thousands of nonprofits in the region that are really making a difference in their communities, and we need to help them be competitive for increasingly scarce philanthropic dollars," said Alba Martinez, president of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. "R2S2 will make funders aware of their capabilities and provide an accurate picture of the vast array of critical services that exist in our region. We are looking for the organizations that are making lasting and meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals and families who need support."

R2S2 is more than just a listing of organizations and contact information. It will offer meaningful profiles of local agencies, enabling grant officers to view an agency's capacity and history to evaluate the potential for a funding match. R2S2 was developed with significant input from social service providers and funders, and will be supported by an aggressive outreach strategy.

The Regional Registry of Social Services will aid local funders in better understanding the health and human services community and what it can do, and in developing a more accurate picture of the scope and spectrum of services currently being offered. R2S2 is designed to make it easier for funders to make strategic decisions about where grant support can really make a difference. Social service providers who complete R2S2 will obtain access to a snapshot of how they compare to counterparts offering similar services and will be registered for notification of funding opportunities, training sessions and other agency-strengthening resources.

Joining the Registry

To join R2S2, executives of nonprofit, community-based organizations will be asked to complete a web-based questionnaire that provides the following information:

-- Basic organizational profile

-- Publicly available financial information

-- Organizational governance and management practices

-- Alignment of agency mission with various health and human services goals

-- Services offered to advance agency goals

-- Geographic areas, communities of interest, and populations served

Agencies can access R2S2 by logging on to http://www.uwsepa.org/R2S2. Help in completing the web-based Registry questionnaire is available each business day via telephone at 215/665-2542.

Completing the Registry questionnaire will lead an agency through an internal assessment of its strengths and weaknesses, helping prepare the organization to submit stronger grant applications, and will bring its organizational profile to the attention of funders. Participating funders are not currently requiring grant applicants to join R2S2 nor using inclusion in R2S2 as a factor in choosing grantees.

Making an Impact

The thousands of human service providers in the region work on a spectrum of problems, bringing real hope and change for people in extremely difficult circumstances. Whether they work with children, families, seniors, immigrants or people battling their way back to productive lives, agencies completing the R2S2 will aid funders in their decision making processes.

The deadline for submitting information to the Registry is January 15, 2008. More information is available on the web at http://www.uwsepa.org/R2S2.

About United Way

Founded by the business community, United Way improves people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of donors, volunteers and communities. United Way chapters in the region include United Way of Bucks County, United Way of Chester County, United Way of Southeast Delaware County, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and United Way of Southern Chester County. These United Ways are among the region's largest non-profit organizations and are part of a network of approximately 1,400 affiliated United Ways nationwide. Each United Way is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers.

For more information, call 215/520-8850.

About The William Penn Foundation

The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that foster rich cultural expression, strengthen children's futures, and deepen connections to nature and community. In partnership with others, the Foundation works to advance a vital, just, and caring community.

Learn more about the Foundation online at http://www.williampennfoundation.org.

About Philadelphia Foundation

The Philadelphia Foundation, a public charity, is Southeastern Pennsylvania's leading center for community philanthropic engagement and is committed to improving the quality of life in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties through funds established by its donors. The mission of The Philadelphia Foundation is as vital now as it was in 1918 when it was first established. Today, with more than $325 million in charitable assets under management, The Philadelphia Foundation continues to help donors harness their generosity and vision by providing tools, knowledge and financial stewardship directed to maximize the strategic impact of charitable contributions. Grants from more than 750 charitable funds strengthen the effectiveness of nonprofits and support programs that are vital to the people of this region.

About the Nonprofit Finance Fund

Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is a national leader in financing nonprofits, strengthening their financial health and improving their capacity to serve their communities. With NFF's help, nonprofits build and renovate facilities, fund growth needs, and expand and sustain operations over time. NFF serves both nonprofits and their funders, offering an integrated package of financial and advisory services, including facilities and working capital loans and lines of credit; asset-building programs; intensive workshops; Nonprofit Business Analyses, and other consultations to help nonprofit management understand the impact on their finances of management and program decisions. NFF was established in 1980 and now serves nonprofits in Washington, DC-MD-VA, the West Coast, New York, New Jersey, New England, the Greater Philadelphia region, the Midwest, and nationwide through our partnership-based National Alliances.