Page 10 - Social_Impact_Report

Tours of Duty – Social Impact Report
Tours
of Duty
Dana Gloor, Principal
he United Way emerged on
Miles & Stockbridge principal
T Dana Sirkis Gloor’s radar the
same way it does for so many of
us: a fundraising push at work. At
one of her previous employers, the
United Way support permeated the
culture; as she rose through the
ranks there, the expected contri-
bution correspondingly rose, too.
“Once the donation level
reached a certain point, I thought
it would be prudent to see exact-
ly where my money was going,”
Gloor recalls. “I started participat-
ing in events and getting to know
the organization, and I fell in love
with it.” Whereas she had admired
the United Way somewhat vague-
ly and from afar, the commercial
litigation lawyer dug deeper into
the organization, its structure and
the returns on its investments.
She describes her overall experi-
ence as both “eye-opening” and
“mind-blowing.” Gloor embarked
on agency tours, and it was these
in-person trips that threaded the
needle between the heartbreaking
and the heartwarming, touching
her deeply. She soon realized her
philanthropic priorities matched
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2017-18
those of the United Way of Cen- “The 2-1-1 helpline is a great supporting an organization that
tral Maryland. example of how this works,” Gloor knows exactly what it is doing. It
explains. The helpline, which is leverages existing resources and
Since the mid-2000s, the Unit- available 24 hours a day, seven agencies. That wealth of expe-
ed Way of Central Maryland has days a week, provides informa- rience and situational expertise
developed as its core mission a tion and resources on everything matters when people are facing
focus on the basic needs of the from shelters and eviction pre- daunting emergency needs.”
most vulnerable members of our vention services to counseling,
community. More specifically, the medical care and tax help. “It is a Inspired by what she learned
organization has committed itself very powerful connector on the from taking a closer look at the
to helping families facing poverty one hand, but it also is an impres- United Way of Central Maryland,
obtain access to housing, employ- sive vehicle for data collection— Gloor became increasingly and
ment, affordable food and health and that data ultimately serves more directly involved with
care, and a quality education. as an engine driving further im- the organization. In 2009, she
provements and efficiencies to was nominated by UWCM and
To achieve these lofty goals the grantmaking process and the appointed by the mayor to serve
most effectively and efficiently, services provided.” For instance, on Baltimore City’s Journey Home
the United Way of Central Mary- user feedback can drive decisions Committee, working with Sister
land employs a three-pronged regarding which organizations Helen Amos to help work on
strategy to take on the challenges receive funding. A gap in services solutions to homelessness across
the working poor of our area face can be discovered more quickly, Baltimore. In 2010, Gloor joined
on a daily basis: grantmaking, and the United Way can convene the executive committee of the
serving as a pass-through clear- with other agencies to ensure UWCM’s Women United initia-
inghouse for third-party nonprof- that the need is filled. Compati- tive, and served as its chair from
its (the traditional United Way ble resources can be bundled or 2014-2015, where she oversaw
model), and, where the organiza- streamlined. “The power of the programming for the dynamic
tion can bridge gaps or convene United Way is that it is built around affinity group composed of over
other resources, acting as a direct having its finger on the various 1,400 women. There, she was
service provider. This hybrid ap- pulses of its communities,” Gloor part of a team that fully furnished
proach allows the United Way of continues. “That’s one of the most a 13-unit permanent housing
Central Maryland a certain flexi- critical things I learned as I went property for formerly home-
bility when addressing an individ- on these tours: when you’re sup- less women. “These were peo-
ual’s needs in real time. porting the United Way, you’re ple that had nothing, and I think