United Way Invests $26.4M in Region to Boost Neighborhoods and Economic Opportunity

United Way of Central Carolinas (UWCC) announced today the investment of $26.4 million in communities across the Charlotte region, supporting more than 100 programs and initiatives that are strengthening neighborhoods, boosting economic mobility and providing a safety net for people in need.

 

Made possible by generous corporate and individual donors, the investment includes $17.7 million for UWCC’s community impact strategy – with funding for its United Neighborhoods, Unite Charlotte and Impact Grants programs. The investment also includes $8.7 million for community agencies as directed by donors.

 

“We are grateful for the support of so many partners and donors as we work to move the needle on economic opportunity,” said UWCC President and CEO Laura Clark. “We know change won’t happen in isolation, so we are thankful to have the ability to make a collective impact through the efforts of hundreds of dedicated organizations and thousands of individuals.”

 

Spanning five counties, grant recipients align with UWCC’s focus on improving health, education and financial stability, and are working to elevate people from poverty.

 

Among them: Care Ring, Child Care Resources Inc., Cops & Barbers, Crisis Assistance Ministry, CrossRoads Corp., Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Latin American Coalition, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas, Renaissance West Community Initiative, Safe Alliance, Urban League of Central Carolinas and dozens more. (Please see attached list for details.)

 

The region’s largest non-government funder of health and human services, UWCC’s funding strategy includes three key elements:

 

• United Neighborhoods works to improve outcomes for children and families by supporting holistic, community-driven transformation efforts.
• Unite Charlotte supports new and grassroots organizations focused on improving racial equity and increasing social capital.
• Impact Grants support agencies across five counties that work collaboratively to provide comprehensive and coordinated services that will improve economic mobility.

 

Earlier this year, UWCC announced it would change the timing of its grantmaking so allocations reflect actual funds raised. To make that transition, allocations announced today will cover 18 months with the next round of United Way funding set for January 2021. UWCC also reduced its operating expenses and funding for Impact Grants, in response to a national decline in giving that has persisted since the recession. UWCC offset that decline for a decade by tapping into its reserves, but after this year can no longer sustain that approach.

 

United Way will return to its competitive, volunteer-led grantmaking process next fall. More than 100 community volunteers help make funding decisions during a rigorous evaluation process to ensure grants are distributed objectively and aligned with UWCC’s goals.

 

“United Way is driven by community – from our donors, to our leadership and staff, to our agency partners and grant recipients,” said Malcomb Coley, UWCC Board Chair and Carolinas Market Leader for EY. “We add great value to charitable giving by evaluating community needs and holding agencies accountable for results, so donors can rest assured their contributions are making a difference and people in need get the support they deserve.”

 

Those wishing to get involved by donating their time, money or voice to make the Charlotte region a better place can do so by visiting uwcentralcarolinas.org.

Source: UWCC News
Date: June 6, 2019