The nonprofit network of United Way member agencies that help Monroe County residents has grown.

People and Animal Learning Services and Indiana Legal Services will join 22 local organizations that receive campaign funding and other benefits from the United Way.

PALS provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities. Indiana Legal Services provides civil legal assistance to low-income households and seniors.

This year is the first time either organization applied to become a member agency.

"It's a compliment. They have high standards. They'll tell you they have high standards," said Jamie Andree, managing attorney of Indiana Legal Services in Bloomington.

To become certified, agencies must provide documentation about finances, fund-raising practices and oversight, among others.

Under United Way's new certification process, the 24 agencies may keep their membership for three years.

The United Way fund-raising campaign kicks off Sept. 9.

Campaigns provide funding for the member agencies and also help other nonprofit organizations in the community.

But new members said the excitement of joining the United Way extends beyond the annual fund-raising drive. They look forward to working with other organizations while bringing more visibility to their own.

"We applied because we wanted to be part of an organization," said Fern Bonchek, director of PALS.

Reporter Sarah Morin can be reached at 331-4363 or by e-mail at smorin@heraldt.com.