How United Way’s COVID-19 Response Spans 5 Counties

As a result of the coronavirus crisis, our most critical nonprofit organizations that serve on the front lines of any community emergency (shelters, food pantries, healthcare organizations) are experiencing the impact and strain to address increased demand for services while simultaneously navigating decreased financial resources and modified workplace environments. These nonprofits’ operational challenges are mounting at a time when the needs are increasing.

 

Within five counties across the Charlotte region, United Way of Central Carolinas has partnered with local governments, corporations, foundations, houses of faith and others to support nonprofits serving the needs of residents impacted by COVID-19, especially our most vulnerable populations.

 

 

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

 

United Way of Central Carolinas and Foundation For The Carolinas formed a joint partnership to launch the COVID-19 Response Fund on March 16. To date, donations to the fund have surpassed $23.6 million.

 

Grants from the COVID-19 Response Fund provide funding for organizations meeting basic needs, such as food, shelter and medical assistance. A committee made up of local leaders representing a diversity of business sectors, backgrounds and Mecklenburg County geographic locations reviews and awards the grants.

 

The Impact

 

As of November 20, the COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded nearly $22 million in grants to nonprofits serving Mecklenburg County.

 

• The initial round of awards totaling nearly $3 million was distributed on March 27 to 14 nonprofits as directed grants.

 

• The second round of awards totaling more than $3 million was awarded on April 10 to 51 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• The third round of awards totaling more than $3.5 million was awarded on May 18 to 67 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• The fourth round of awards totaling more than $4.3 million was awarded on June 30 to 97 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• The fifth round of awards totaling more than $3 million was awarded on October 6 to 72 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• In a special sixth round of awards, $4 million was awarded on November 20 to 39 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle. This round was made possible by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County each contributing $2 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the COVID-19 Response Fund.

 

• In two supplemental rounds of grants supporting local arts and cultural organizations, $434,232 was awarded on April 23 to five nonprofits and $275,500 was awarded to 11 nonprofits on May 27.

 

 

CABARRUS COUNTY

 

The Cabarrus County Community Foundation (a regional affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas) launched the Cabarrus County COVID-19 Response Fund on March 22. Shortly after the first anonymous gift to the fund, United Way of Central Carolinas joined the partnership effort. To date, donations to the fund have surpassed $600,000.

 

Grants from the Cabarrus County COVID-19 Response Fund provide funding for organizations meeting basic needs, such as food, shelter and medical assistance. A committee made up of the Cabarrus County Community Foundation’s Board of Advisors and representatives from United Way of Central Carolinas reviews and awards the grants.

 

The Impact

 

As of September 3, the Cabarrus County COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded over $603,000 in grants to nonprofits serving Cabarrus County.

 

• The initial round of awards totaling nearly $170,000 was awarded on April 9 to 19 nonprofits as directed grants.

 

• The second round of awards totaling more than $165,800 was awarded on April 28 to 18 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• The third round of awards totaling $67,500 was awarded on May 15 to seven nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• The fourth round of awards totaling $100,000 was awarded on June 23 to 11 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• The fifth round of awards totaling $100,900 was awarded on September 3 to 19 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

 

IREDELL COUNTY

 

In partnership with United Way of Central Carolinas, United Way of Iredell County and the Iredell County Community Foundation (a regional affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas) launched the Iredell County COVID-19 Response Fund in early April. To date, the fund has received over $554,000 in contributions.

 

Grants from the Iredell County COVID-19 Response Fund provide funding for organizations meeting basic needs, such as food, shelter and medical assistance. An advisory group of local leaders representing the three organizations reviews and awards the grants.

 

The Impact

 

As of August 14, the Iredell County COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded nearly $554,700 in grants to nonprofits serving Iredell County.

 

• In an emergency round of directed grant making announced April 14, the fund awarded $106,000 to support immediate needs of nine nonprofits.

 

• A second round of grants totaling $143,000 was awarded on April 27 to 12 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• A third round of grants totaling $80,500 was awarded on May 21 to 10 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• A fourth round of grants totaling $115,300 was awarded on June 26 to 11 nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• A fifth round of grants totaling $109,890 was awarded on August 14 to nine nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

 

UNION COUNTY

 

United Way of Central Carolinas and the Union County Community Foundation (a regional affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas) have collected $108,000 in corporate gifts designated for aiding Union County nonprofits.

 

Beyond these gifts, additional donations have been collected to support residents in Union County.

 

The funds assist local organizations meeting basic needs, such as food, shelter and medical assistance. An advisory group of local leaders representing the two organizations reviews and awards the grants.

 

The Impact

 

• The $108,000 was awarded as grants on May 7 to eight nonprofits serving Union County following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• A second round of grants totaling $75,000 was awarded on July 22 to seven nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

 

ANSON COUNTY

 

United Way of Central Carolinas was given a $50,000 corporate gift designated for aiding Anson County nonprofits.

 

Beyond this gift, additional donations have been collected through United Way to support residents in Anson County.

 

The funds assist local organizations meeting basic needs, such as food, shelter and medical assistance. A committee of local leaders representing government, the business community and the healthcare industry reviews and awards the grants.

 

The Impact

 

• The $50,000 was awarded as grants on May 8 to six nonprofits serving Anson County following a competitive grant cycle.

 

• A second round of grants totaling $75,000 was awarded on July 16 to eight nonprofits following a competitive grant cycle.

 

Learn more about United Way’s COVID-19 response efforts by visiting https://uwcentralcarolinas.org/covid-19-response/.