United Way Celebrates 90 Years of Giving

With the United Way of San Diego County celebrating its 90th anniversary, La Jolla Patch sat down with its president and CEO, Doug Sawyer. Sawyer, a La Jolla resident, mans the nonprofit that aims to improve lives and solve education, income and health issues.

La Jolla Patch: What are the three areas of the United Way of San Diego? 

Doug Sawyer: Under the umbrellas of Education, Income and Health, the organization is focused on stopping child abuse and neglect; promoting financial stability and independence; and homeless outreach and prevention, respectively.

La Jolla Patch: How can donors get involved?  

Sawyer: We encourage our donors to give, advocate and volunteer. While monetary donations are critical, those who want to contribute their time and talents can advocate on our behalf by telling friends and colleagues about our work. They can also volunteer in the areas they are particularly passionate about solving.

La Jolla Patch: How is United Way of San Diego's business model different from other nonprofits?

Sawyer: Five years ago we changed our business model to a community impact model, which is different than our older, safety-net model. This model focuses on long-term solutions to specific issues by strategically distributing resources to partners that demonstrate quantifiable results. We use a pay-for-performance approach that assures donors and San Diegans that our region's most important issues are being effectively addressed.

La Jolla Patch: Can you briefly describe one program and its results through this business model?

Sawyer: Over the past 17 months, 177 chronically homeless San Diegans have found a place that they can call home—permanently. Thousands more have received much-needed medical care, counseling, legal and other support services, all as part of the United Way-led effort that includes a cross-section of community partners. And as a result, the public is saving hundreds of thousands of dollars and some of our most vulnerable have reclaimed their lives. Hundreds more are receiving critical services to keep them stable, until they, too, can be moved into permanent homes.

La Jolla Patch: How has the economy affected the UWSD in the past few years?  

Sawyer: While we have fared better than many nonprofits, the organization has been focused on getting as much money out into the community as possible. In the past two years, we increased our support for important community services agencies that provide food, rent, utility and other basic assistance for struggling nonprofits.

La Jolla Patch: What would you say is the largest contribution United Way has made to the San Diego community over the past 90 years? 

Sawyer: Throughout our 90-year history, we have helped to create and facilitate innovative new solutions that became some of San Diego's most respected nonprofits in their own right, including 211, The Children's Initiative, LEAD San Diego, The San Diego Foundation and Volunteer San Diego. We have also allowed every San Diegan to make a positive change in the lives of their neighbors by pooling their contributions with that of others across the county to create meaningful change on a scale that no one individual can accomplish.

La Jolla Patch: Name three things that have changed at United Way over the past 90 years.

Sawyer: The biggest change has been to our business model, which focuses on long-lasting, systemic changes versus just managing problems. Our role as a community convener on tough issues has become even more critical. Lastly, we broadened our vision for United Way's impact by looking at issues in education, income and health—the three building blocks for a better quality of life. Over the past 90 years, United Way has also maintained the ability to adapt to current community needs—the stability is always there.

La Jolla Patch: How did you get involved? 

Sawyer: I am a 28-year bank management veteran who first became involved with United Way of San Diego County as a board member in the late 1980s. I became passionate about its mission and continued to support the organization through my banking career. Once I retired from the for-profit world, United Way was looking for a CEO, and I was encouraged by the community to apply.

La Jolla Patch: Why work in nonprofit?    

Sawyer: Passionate colleagues, committed partners, the ability to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands less fortunate San Diegans, being able to give back after I have been so fortunate, all play a part.

La Jolla Patch: Why work in San Diego County? 

Sawyer: I've lived here almost my entire life. San Diego has given me so much; my family and lifelong friends live in San Diego. It's really the only place I've ever known (or want to), and that doesn't even start to deal with what this city has the potential to be. I want to be a part of helping to keep San Diego "America's Finest City."

La Jolla Patch: Why live in La Jolla?  

Sawyer: There is no other place in the world with the blessings of La Jolla. Highly educated [residents], beaches, visionary leadership, weather—need I say more?

La Jolla Patch: Favorite way to unwind in La Jolla?

Sawyer: Be it day or night, walking out on our deck and enjoying our view of San Diego and La Jolla.

La Jolla Patch: Biggest missed opportunity or business regret?

Sawyer: I never look back; after all, to paraphrase Satchel Paige, "Don't look back; someone might be gaining on you."

La Jolla Patch: Largest reward/event?

Sawyer: Biggest event by far was my wedding to Marilyn; biggest reward is seeing our three children grow up to be productive members of society, and extremely caring of each other. Professionally: Watching as people in need regain their lives.

La Jolla Patch: Name three inspiring individuals that have shaped you.  

Sawyer: Father, Churchill, Herb Klein.

La Jolla Patch: If you could be doing any other job, what would it be?

Sawyer: Baseball team owner.