Winchester, VA (May 23, 2023) - United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (NSV) reaffirmed its commitment to lift individuals and families to financial stability and create a healthier community when its board of directors approved funding recommendations made by community volunteers for the 2022-2023 Community Impact Grant Program.
United Way NSV will invest $525,000 in Community Impact Grants to support 46 agencies that focus on improving health, education, and financial stability in the community. A record 51 organizations in the City Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, and Warren Counties requested $1,051,809 in program funding.
Twenty-six agencies based in the northern region (City of Winchester, Frederick, and Clarke Counties) will receive $312,800 in grant funding, while 20 agencies based in the southern region (Shenandoah, Page, and Warren Counties) will receive $212,200.
The Grant Distribution Committee which is comprised of business, student, and community representatives focused on high-need areas identified in the 2021-2023 United Way Community Needs Assessment and Virginia ALICE® Report.
“This was a really challenging year for our volunteers who had to make tough decisions,” said Janet Michael, a 2023 Fund Distribution panel chair and United Way NSV Board Member. “With funding available for only half of the requests that we received, we examined everything from agency budgets, outcome measurements, and collaborations, to their track record for making positive improvements across our community.”
United Way NSV is thrilled to welcome eight new Impact Grant partners this year. Those agencies include The Godfrey Miller Center, Mountain Vista Governor's School Foundation, Shenandoah Valley Teen Challenge, Just Because, Christ Church Cares Food Pantry, Front Royal/Warren County CCAP, Warren County Habitat for Humanity, and The Salvation Army Warren County.
United Way NSV’s funding priorities include health, education, and financial stability. In the health category, a total of $215,800 will be invested to support programs that increase access to healthcare, reduce intimate partner violence and child abuse, and provide access to substance abuse services. Shenandoah Community Health Clinic was the recipient of the largest grant award. Funding will support the clinic’s program that provides a mental health counselor for students in Shenandoah County Public Schools.
United Way NSV’s funding priorities for education programs ensure that children have access to basic needs, early learning, and youth support programs. A total of $97,200 was awarded to educational programs. Among the recipients are The Salvation Army Warren County who was awarded $8,000 to help start a Boy and Girls Club at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School to provide quality, affordable after-school programming for students. The Mountain Vista Governor's School Foundation, a new applicant, received a $3,500 grant to support dual enrollment tuition assistance for students attending Laurel Ridge Community College.
Under financial stability grants, United Way NSV will invest $212,00 to support programs where families move from crisis to financial stability, create housing solutions that provide safe, decent, and affordable housing options, and programs that help individuals acquire the skills necessary to secure and retain self and/or family-sustaining employment.
NW Works, Inc. will receive funding for a new project to develop an innovative and accessible garden that links people to training and employment opportunities while reducing food insecurity. “Creating a garden of this size to serve as a training opportunity for disabled adults and addressing food insecurity in the community is an enormous undertaking with many moving parts. Having the United Way's support and investment in the program has lifted a weight off our shoulders,” said Carly Stoliker, Director of Development at NW Works.
Outcome reports will be submitted to United Way bi-annually to measure the success of these program investments. Distribution of 2023-2024-year Impact Grants will begin July 1. A list of the grant recipients can be viewed and downloaded here.