Local The United Way of Hancock County board of trustees approved grants during the monthly board meeting on Thursday, April 3. Grants were awarded to 32 programs offered by 17 partner agencies throughout the county. Thirty-one community leaders volunteered to serve on four different impact teams, reviewing grant applications and recommending the distribution of United Way grant funds. The process includes an extensive review of program results, while also looking at the needs determined by the community's most recent Community Needs Assessment. Funding distributed to the following impact areas: - The "Addressing Community Priorities" impact area which includes programs such as domestic violence recovery and homelessness awarded $745,776. - The "Providing a Safe Community" impact team granted a total of $133,774 with these funds going to programs like disaster services, blood services, and other comprehensive emergency assistance. - The "Nurturing Youth" impact area, which focuses on youth at risk in Hancock County, awarded a total of $709,644. - The impact team for "Meeting Basic Needs" awarded $155,661 to programs that encourage independence, physical support, food distribution programs and more. - The total amount of funds that were distributed to agencies directed by investors equaled $111,494.59. These "investor choice" funds did not negatively impact the amount of grant funds received by the United Way impact teams. This year's United Way campaign raised a record breaking total amount of $2,436,322.00, which was 99.4% of the $2,450,000 goal. The amount granted to programs and services in the community totaled $1,856,350. The remainder of the dollars raised, is earmarked for operating expenses, designations to other United Ways, uncollectible pledges, and required board reserves. "Dedicated community volunteers examined these grant applications very closely and reviewed the programs requesting funding. The volunteer impact team members have such a strong wish to be vigilant with the dollars entrusted to us by the community. These members are true leaders in our community who all have a desire to improve lives," said Tim Krucki, chair of the community solutions committee. Keith DuVernay, President & CEO of United Way said, "we are extremely pleased to be able to report not only did the 2007 campaign exceed any previous year in our community, but we are also able to direct more dollars for programs and services than ever before. Every program that requested funding from United Way for 2008 received it. Twenty-two of the 32 programs were funded at the amount they requested." He went on to say, "We believe that the support from our community is a testament to the quality of the services provided by our partners and speaks highly of the confidence in United Way's effort to advance the common good." The partner agencies that received funding for programs and services in 2008 include Hancock County Voices for Children, Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services, Hope House for the Homeless, HHWP Community Action Commission, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Cancer Patient Services, YMCA, Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, Dental Center of Northwest Ohio, Children's Mentoring Connection, Camp Fire USA, Family Resource Center, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, and Black Swamp Area Boy Scouts, and West Ohio Food Bank. Both the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio and Century Health did not submit grant requests for funding from United Way for this grant cycle, but did receive investor's choice funds and additional partnership support such as assistance with marketing and volunteer training. Individuals interested in serving on an Impact Team can contact Jeanne Rustic, community solutions director, at 419-423-1432 or jrustic@uwhancock.org. For more information call the United Way office or visit uwhancock.org. © Copyright 2003-2006 by Findlay Living™ and DynamiKComm, Inc. |
