3 minute read
Looking Back and Forward
UPFRONT UPFRONT
RETIREMENTS // BY LYNNE THOMPSON
Looking Back and Forward
August “Augie” Napoli Jr. reflects on his accomplishments and challenges.
He knew it wouldn’t be easy.
When United Way of Greater Cleveland offered August “Augie” Napoli Jr. the position of president and CEO in 2016, the iconic 108-year-old nonprofit organization was facing major challenges. Chief among them was a decreasing stream of operating dollars.
Cleveland was no longer among the top U.S. cities where Fortune 500 companies maintained headquarters — places where employees were strongly encouraged to participate in United Way’s workplace campaign. Over time, the number of disparate social-service agencies that received those dollars had increased into the hundreds.
“I was hired as a change agent,” the 69-year-old recalls. “And the reason I decided to accept it was because of the challenge.”
As Napoli prepares to retire on June 30, he can point to multiple changes made during his tenure that will allow United Way to serve the community into the next century. Providing a deeper understanding of “the mission, the vision, the values, the economy and the efficiency of what we do” has become a priority in attracting and retaining donors. And it is working with other entities to determine the best ways to address not only the symptoms of poverty, but also the root causes of it. His efforts cap a 45-year career of resource development in Northeast Ohio.
“I’ve been blessed in my career to have worked with the very top and best leaders in our community,” he says. “I’ve learned from every experience. And every experience has led to the next one.”
One of Napoli’s first tasks was developing a strategic plan that clarified United Way’s purpose is serving people in need.
“We don’t exist to serve the [social-service] delivery system,” he states. “That would be the county, that would be the state, that would be the federal government.”
Funding was aligned with “laser-focused” goals. He gives examples such as United Way’s participation in the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, which addresses a housing-stability factor and a partnership with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Right to Counsel — Cleveland, which provides free legal assistance to eligible tenants facing eviction, and work with a number of entities to build 50-unit “scholar housing” across from Cuyahoga Community College’s main campus for students with children.
Issues of race, diversity, equity and inclusion were addressed by consulting community leaders of color asked to serve on its Equity Leadership Council. And the nonprofit began speaking plainly about topics such as poverty and racism — words that some organizations, Napoli says, simply didn’t use. On unitedwaycleveland.org, “Decision Points,” a documentary of one single mother’s financial struggles, illustrates the change.
“Until [we] start talking about it, to demystify this for the world, then how could we possibly expect people to understand and accept and embrace it and try to make change?” he asks.
At press time, Napoli was planning to start the new year by launching nearly $20.1 million in community investment. Projects include operation of United Way’s 2-1-1 social-service navigation system and funding partners such as Catholic Charities, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland. He’d like to begin building an endowment. For the first time in many years, the nonprofit boasts a balanced budget and small surplus of funds. But he firmly believes it is time for him to move on.
“I’ve done what I set out to do here,” he says. “The direction is clear. The pathway is clear. Now, it’s time for another person to help bring all of that to life.”
