United Way Continues to Meet Community Needs Through Grant Funding Process

United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH) recently announced their grant funding awards to 20 area organizations meeting 65 local community needs. This comes after United Way raised $1.51 Million Dollars through their 2021 Campaign. These area organizations submitted requests for funding in late December. In January and February the Volunteer Investment Team reviewed the proposals and made a recommendation to the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Board of Directors.

“We are excited to have the ability to help so many through this funding process.“ said Katie Koglman, United Way CEO. “Our community is blessed to have wonderful organizations that meet vital needs in our communities. We are proud to say that in 2022 we have funded 65 of those needs within 20 organizations.” added Koglman. 

The United Way Board of Directors met on March 15, 2022 to review the recommendations submitted by the Volunteer Investment Team and made a final vote on the awards. United Way funds needs in four specific areas: Health/Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment, Safety Net, Workforce Development and Youth Development, all with the purpose of helping people improve their lives.

2022 United Way Grant Awards totaled: $1,052,184.00 and were given to the following organizations: American Red Cross, Anazao Community Partners, Boys & Girls Club of Wooster, Catholic Charities, Forget Me Not Baskets, Goodwill Industries, Holmes Center for the Arts, Holmes County Health District, Learn N’ Play, NAMI, OHUDDLE, OneEighty, Salvation Army, The Counseling Center, Viola Startzman Clinic, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wayne County Schools Career Center, Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center, Wooster City Schools and the YMCA of Wayne County.  

Amberly Wolf, United Way Board President stated, “United Way is addressing some of the most pressing needs in our community. We learn of these needs through our first call for help hotline (WHIRE) and want to be a part of the solution. Our funded partner organizations are financially stable, their results are driven, and are a good investment in our community. We know these programs are necessary and integral to the success of a diverse population of people in our community and the needs they have. We are grateful for our donors support!”

Other programs/emergency needs met through United Way of Wayne and Holmes funding included, but not limited to:

$ 4,979.87 to area organizations in direct designations.

$ 44,960.00 to other local United Way organizations in direct designations

$11,946.75 to the Severe Weather Shelter

$40,608.00 to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

$30,000.00 restricted for WHIRE

$50,837.86 to the Board Restricted Fund

$104,931.00 to Emergency Food and Shelter Programs Through FEMA

Grants from the Board Restricted Fund will open for new program applications in April. The details for those grants will be available on our website. (uwwh.org)

Non-profits that received funding must meet United Way standards and demonstrate results through their needs outcomes. United Way volunteers analyze each request through a thorough evaluation process. Volunteers (community members that have a vested interest in United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties) decide which programs receive funding. “If you’re a part of this community and you want to understand more on how the process works and how community needs are met, volunteering with United Way of Wayne and Holmes on their Volunteer Investment Team will do it.” said Kim Sayers, a 2022 Volunteer Investment Team member. The United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties Board of Directors review the recommendations and give final funding approval.