United Way of Madison County has announced an open certification period through 4 p.m. Friday, May 30, for any health or human service 501(c) 3 organization that would like to request direct program funding through United Way for the years 2008-2011. 

Certification involves the submission of materials that substantiate that the agency meets 15 standards of operation. Materials that are submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the United Way’s Community Impact Committee to determine compliance with standards and whether certification should be granted. Agencies submitting materials will be notified of results of the certification process at the end of July.

While certification is a basic requirement for an agency to be able to submit a request for funding, it does not guarantee funding for any of that agency’s programs. Funding is determined through a request for proposal process. 

Current certified agencies that wish to be considered for recertification should review the instructions for certification, current certification standards and agency agreement. The renewal process will begin with an examination of the program and certification reports that are on file with United Way. 

Agencies will be notified if the Community Impact Committee wishes to request a site visit during the process. United Way of Madison County currently has 21 local certified agencies. All materials necessary to apply for certification are available on United Way’s Web site, at hwww.unitedwaymadisonco.org/index.php?src=gendocs&link=certificationStandards&category=Main.

For more information, call United Way of Madison County at (765) 643-7493.