Q. Why did United Way of Eastern Fairfield County cut funding to the Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts of America?
A. United Way had been funding programs of the Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts of America. Funding was cut from programs - administration, urban and traditional scouting - due to the Boy Scouts of America's national policy of excluding participation on the basis of sexual orientation. These national membership policies are in conflict with United Way of Eastern Fairfield County policies of inclusion and diversity.

Q. How will this decision impact Boy Scout programming?
A. The $33,182.50 cut from Boy Scout programs amounts to just over 1% of the Connecticut Yankee Council annual budget of $3.118 million. United Way continues to provide $24,255 annually to the Learning for Life program.

Q. What is "Learning for Life"?
A. Learning for Life is a schoolbased program serving more than 5,000 local boys and girls in grades K-12 with specialized components addressing the needs of elementary school, middle school, high school and special needs students. The curriculum is based on character building and self-sufficiency principles. The program is administered by Connecticut Yankee Council.

Q. What if I designated to the Boy Scouts?
A. Donor designations are in no way affected by this cut. All designations will be honored until you, the donor, inform us otherwise.

Q. Who made the decision?
A. The United Way of Eastern Fairfield County Board of Directors struggled with this issue and made this decision only after much discussion with the local Boy Scout council. Through these discussions it became apparent that the local Boy Scout council is obligated to follow the national organization's policy. At its December 19, 2000 meeting, the board voted to reduce funding to Boy Scout programs governed by the national policies. United Way hopes to continue working with the Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts of America to find a resolution. The funds cut from these programs were redistributed to other United Way funded programs.

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In the past year, more than 90% of the kids matched with a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut improved school attendance & grades in math and social studies.