United Way Announces 2019 Impact Grants

United Way NSV Announces Half a Million in 2019 Impact Grant Awards

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (NSV) reaffirmed its commitment to graduate more kids, lift families and individuals to financial stability and create a healthier community when its board of directors approved funding recommendations made by community volunteers for the 2019-2020 Community Impact Grant Program.

Through the Impact Grant Program, United Way will invest more than $521,000 in 39 education, income and health programs throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley (Winchester City, Frederick County, Clarke County, Shenandoah County and Page County).

More than $714,000 was requested for 2019 Impact Grants with $512,000 available for the grant program. United Way undertook a rigorous decision-making process to determine the grant allocations. Nearly 3,000 donors entrust their contributions to the United Way Community Impact Fund with the confidence that the United Way’s Board and staff will work with community organizations and leaders to invest in the most impactful programs.

Funding for the Impact Grant program is specifically earmarked by donors, and is only a portion of the total money raised and given out by United Way NSV. An additional 100 non-profits will receive donor designated funding which is allocated in addition to the grant program.

“Through the extensive grant vetting process, we hope to address the most pressing needs in our community that have been identified through our needs assessment, in the most efficient and effective way possible” said Kurt Beyreis, Chair of the Fund Distribution Committee.

Fifty-five community volunteers devoted more than 1,200 hours to determine the best programs and services our region has to offer. They read proposals, analyzed financial statements, visited agencies, and deliberated for many hours. The program grants for 39 different agencies that were announced today have been thoroughly vetted and evaluated on factors including alignment with United Way’s strategies; ability to make positive, lasting impact; transformative approach to working collaboratively; and capacity to achieve program goals.

The 2019-2020 Impact Grants reflect the 2017 Community Needs Assessment and ALICE® findings for the Northern Shenandoah Valley. All grant program activities tie back directly to the community’s identified needs, with all agencies serving a portion on the ALICE® population.

“The requests received this year reinforce the data collected through our Community Needs Assessment” said United Way President and CEO, Nadine Pottinga “These grants are making marked impact in the critical needs identified in Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, and Page Counties, as well as in the City of Winchester.”

In the area of education, a first time United Way grant recipient, Community Care & Learning Center, will receive a grant investment of $14,000. The 2019 grant will be the first ever for the Community Care & Learning Center, helping them in their first year of operation to offer affordable and accessible childcare for at-risk families in the New Market area, with the goal of reducing any barriers to employment and increasing stability within families. This investment aligns within United Way NSV’s community needs strategy to make sure that preschool aged children have access to affordable, high quality, early learning programs that prepare them for kindergarten.

Additional education programs granted funding by United Way address other priority needs such as children having access to basic needs, students having access to high quality, enriching out of school programs where students have support and encouragement for educational success from engaged parents/advocates and mentors, as well as junior high and high school students have access to age-appropriate college and career preparation and graduate equipped with skills for success.

In Financial Stability (Income) grants, United Way is investing $29,800 in a new community partner, A Farm Less Ordinary, based in Clarke County. The program will serve two purposes—to add to the number of individuals with disabilities who are employed, and to assist in providing food to families in need. This new program will supply fresh produce for families accessing food pantries while also creating gainful employment for people with disabilities. The grant aligns with community priority needs, specifically to help people in crisis meet their basic needs and become self-sufficient and to help low or no income individuals acquire the skills necessary to secure and retain self and/or family-sustaining employment

In Income Impact Grants, United Way also supports programs where vulnerable seniors are able to access services that improve their quality of life and maintain independence.

In health related grants, United Way is investing $24,000 in The Sinclair Health Clinic. Grant dollars for this specific program will implement a comprehensive Diabetes Care Clinic to offer diabetes management services and access to the tools needed for monitoring and self-care. This program will address priority needs within our community, specifically increasing access quality and affordable health care.

Additional Health grants given by United Way NSV align within the identified priority needs to support programs where children and youth have access to emergency and ongoing mental health and counseling services, programs designed to prevent and respond to domestic violence, as well as programs that aggressively address the substance abuse crisis in our community.

“We’re committed to creating meaningful change in the Northern Shenandoah Valley,” said United Way President and CEO Nadine Pottinga. “One way we drive change is by investing in the best local education, income and health programs to impact our community’s kids and their families.”

Please see the full list of Impact Grant Awards for 2019 HERE. Distribution of 2019-2019-year Impact Grant funds will begin July 1.