Fort Atkinson, WI – December 8, 2016 –
The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties (UWJNWC) is now accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations who wish to become United Way partner agencies and receive grant funding during 2017.
“We are very proud to have helped support twenty-seven local nonprofit organizations as our partner agencies during 2016,” states Megan Hartwick, executive director. “Although our existing partner agencies continue to have a higher demand for increased funding for their programs and services, we are always encouraging new nonprofit organizations to consider applying for United Way funding. We always want to be exploring new partnerships to ensure we are helping the most people within our communities as possible, by supporting impactful and effective organizations.”
To be eligible to apply for United Way agency grant funding, an organization must maintain current tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 or fall under the tax-exempt umbrella of a government agency, school or church. All applicants must also provide direct services to individuals within our service area and those services must be focused on at least one of United Way’s main impact areas – health, education, and financial independence. Qualified applicants must also: 1)account to the general public through the publication of an annual report or other appropriate means; 2)agree to comply with the UWJNWC’s agency agreement; 3)show that service(s) are not primarily for the benefit of any specific religious or political purpose, 4)demonstrate that service(s) are made available to all in the target population, regardless of the individuals ability to pay; 5)submit all required elements of the United Way grant process and participate in an agency grant interview.
“One of the greatest benefits our United Way offers our donors is the high level of accountability we hold our grant applicants and partner agencies to. Our organization reviews the applications, budget, profit & loss statements, annual audits, statistics on clients served, success stories, detailed descriptions on how grant funds would be utilized, and much more. Each applicant also has to participate in an interview process following the submission of their application. It is an extensive process that ensures the generous donations we’ve received from our communities during our campaign, are allocated in the most effective and impactful way possible,” Hartwick adds.
Hartwick reviews every application and participate in every interview. Approximately five additional “review teams,” comprised of members of the UWJNWC board of directors and community volunteers, also review applications and participate in the corresponding interviews. Each community volunteer completes a survey with their feedback on each applicant. The board of directors then makes the final allocation decisions.
Applications will be accepted until 5pm on January 20th and all applicants will be notified of the board of director’s final decisions by late March. Those approved for funding will receive equal payments quarterly throughout 2017.
The applications are all completed and reviewed online. Any local nonprofit organization interested in applying for 2017 United Way funding should contact Hartwick at the United Way office to obtain log-in access to the site. Any community member who is interested in participating in the agency grant application review and interview process, can also contact Hartwick at 920.563.8880 or [email protected]
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The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties supports 26 local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need, as well as various community-enhancement pillar grant projects, and four community programs. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.
For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.ourunitedway.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.”
