Case Study: United Way of Central Iowa achieves measurable community impact and greater funder accountability with Bonterra Apricot

United Way of Central Iowa - Customer Case Study

United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI), a nearly 100‑year-old nonprofit, shifted from counting activities to a Community Impact model focused on Education, Income and Health. Facing inconsistent benchmarks and a limited view of program impact, UWCI needed better, standardized measurement and accountability to track community‑level change and satisfy funders.

UWCI implemented Social Solutions’ Results Scorecard and Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) to track program and client‑level outcomes and is working toward seamless integration between systems. The tools have helped UWCI identify service gaps, guide investments, and improve performance: Des Moines Public Schools’ graduation rate rose 10% since 2007, on‑time high‑school graduation in the service area is up 4.8%, adult self‑reported good‑to‑excellent health rose from 86.2% to 90.2%, 20 funded programs use ETO, and UWCI reported a record $26 million raised in 2011.

United Way of Central Iowa

Elisabeth Buck

Senior VP for Community Impact