United Way of the Great Basin

Serving the Rural Northeast Nevada Counties of Elko, Eureka, White Pine, Humboldt, Lander

 Local Organizational History

United Way of the Great Basin was formally organized as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization on July 1, 1997.  This feat was due to the cumulative efforts of local volunteers, primarily in Elko County beginning in 1991.  Volunteers like Paul Stevens, initiated the first United Way Campaign in Elko, under the direction and assistance of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra in Reno, NV.  This campaign raised approximately $27,000 and helped to fund five agencies.

David Sheffield, Barrick Goldstrike Mines, chaired the next two years and with the assistance of Phil Pirkle, Newmont Gold Mines, raised the campaign income to over $250,000.  Mr. Pirkle chaired through 1996, with Jim Shippy, helping to bring the campaign to over $350,000 and increased corporate support from the mining industry to over 50% of the total campaign.

The first discussions of becoming an independent United Way

began in earnest as campaign income exceeded $300,000, an amount considered viable to support an independent organization.  But the final decision did not take place until 1996, when a full time paid director had been in place for over a year.

Irene Welch, the first Executive Director, David Loreman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Brett Pearson, Independence Mining Company, Inc., Campaign Chairman, set the first campaign goal of the new organization at a lofty $600,000. With the help of a hard-working volunteer board, the participation of Barrick, Newmont and Independence Gold Mines, that goal was exceeded by over $100, 000.

United Way of the Great Basin encompasses the five Northeastern Nevada Counties of Elko, Eureka, White Pine, Humboldt and Lander. Non-profit agencies providing health and human services in any of these counties were initially eligible to apply for funding, based on total funds raised in that county.

In 1998 the success of the campaign in Humboldt and Lander counties prompted the organization of a Winnemucca sub-committee for fund raising and fund distribution in those counties, chaired by Tony Cost, Newmont Mining Company, Valmy Trend. 

A Standard of Excellence, adopted by United Way of the Great Basin in 1997, requiring agencies to meet and exceed minimal standards of performance in the areas of Governance, Financial Management and Fiscal Responsibility, Legal, Program Management, Human Resources Administration and Equipment and Facilities (safety) Certification of compliance with these standards upgraded the service delivery and administrative performance of local non-profits and became the qualifying element to apply for United Way funding.

Thirteen agencies providing local services were first certified and funded by United Way of the Great Basin for operation in fiscal year 1998-99. In addition, over twenty-five non-member organizations received donor directed funding through the 1997-98 campaign.

Fund Distribution Panels in Elko and Winnemucca coordinated the disbursement of over half-million dollars for services provided by member agencies in the five county areas, reserving and additional $10,500 for non-member community organizations.

In 2002, United Way of the Great Basin began the transition to align itself as a community impact organization.  

As much as companies provide for United Way of the Great Basin presentations, it is primarily the employees of these companies who provide the financial support for our community programs. The Board of Directors, chaired by Shirley Alen in 2003, committed to a public education campaign focusing on our investors who provide the direction to our company stressing that the company’s goal was to maximize their returns through local accountability. Dollars are committed to programs based on measurable local outcomes. Participation became “what matters” and with an open designation policy, people were encouraged to get involved; however and whenever they could. Because of this messaging change, in 2003-2004 revenues increased substantially bringing the Great Basin communities to national attention.

As the 2004-2005 workplace programs rolled out, Sheilagh Gilles, Executive Director, launched the cornerstone program with the support of Newmont Mining. As a cornerstone partner, Newmont and other participating corporations would provide the dollars to fund the United Way of the Great Basin overhead costs, thereby allowing 100% of employee community investment dollars to be spent on solutions. The launch of this program eliminated another perceived barrier and consequently community investment funds broke $1,000,000 for the first time. This growth of available dollars and community participation is led by the Newmont employees who increased participation another 4%, generating an employee fund of $390,000 which was doubled by a corporate match of one to one.  Single-handedly, that one group matched all the dollars raised in 2003-2004.

By the 2007-2008 campaign, Newmont Mining provided 88% of the $1,314,000 raised.  Half was contributed by employees, with the company matching dollar for dollar.

In February, Carol Huether came on board as Executive Director, followed by Gail Carter joining the UWGB staff in March as Finance Director.  During the 2008-2009 campaign in the fall of 2007, UWGB offered incentives to donors for the first time.  Patterned after the success at Newmont and many United Ways across the country, UWGB offered a 2-year lease of a new SUV along with other major prizes to encourage participation and increased giving.  The plan worked, and a new campaign record was set – over $1.5 million. 

Our United Way continues to focus on operational excellence for our organization and our partner agencies, identifying and supporting critical human service programs, and looking for innovative ways to improve the lives of our neighbors.