Statement: The Salvation Army Disaffiliation

On August 26, Major William Bode of the Salvation Army informed United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley (United Way), via a phone call to United Way President Michael Durkin, that their organization has decided to turn down United Way's investment this year and corresponding affiliate status.

United Way's total investment in The Salvation Army this year is more than $415,000 and has increased about 18% this fiscal year over last. This investment includes $358,611 in operating support and grants from United Way and $56,527 in direct designations from donors). These funds were to be targeted at supporting emergency basic needs, healthy childhood development, and opportunities to ready youth for college and work.

United Way and The Salvation Army have had a productive partnership spanning more than 70 years. United Way is interested in maintaining that partnership and exploring other affiliation options with the Salvation Army. The organization will be working with Major Bode in the coming days to do so.

United Way's highest priority at this point is to ensure that Massachusetts children and families relying on the services that would have been provided by the investment are not affected by the Salvation Army's decision. United Way is committed to finding the best way to leverage these funds to ensure Massachusetts children enter school ready to learn, youth graduate with options for the future, and families have the support they need to attain financial stability.

United Way will follow up with additional details as they become clear.

The Salvation Army applied for the three year partnership with United Way earlier this year.  After a community-led review process, United Way trustees voted on the partnership and first year allocation in May. More information on how United Way makes investment decisions and its community led-review process can be found at http://supportunitedway.org/agency-review or http://supportunitedway.org/investments.

Additional questions can be directed to Meghan Keaney Anderson at 617-624-8261 or mkeaney@supportunitedway.org

Please Note:  All donations which have been directly designated by donors to the Salvation Army will still go to The Salvation Army.