United Way of Wayne and Holmes announces grants
United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH), after having already invested $1,304,732 back into the community through direct designations and the 2023 grant process, recently announced the results of the 2023 Grant Funding Process. The Board of Directors unanimously approved $913,496 in grant awards towards programs in Wayne and Holmes Counties that align with United Way’s mission of mobilizing community resources to help people measurably improve their lives.
“The 49 local programs we have chosen to fund through our grant process this year help address our communities’ most pressing issues,” said Ron Schlegel, UWWH Board President. “The programs in which United Way funds are financially stable, results driven and a wise investment in our community.”
United Way’s Grant Applications are reviewed by the Volunteer Investment Team (VIT) comprised of 35 United Way donors. The VIT reviewed all grant applications, and met in early February to discuss and provide grant funding recommendations for the UWWH Board of Directors. These committees meet to fairly, objectively and un-biasedly consider the best use of the funds.
“We have asked each VIT member to review all proposals with care, through their lenses, experiences, and opinions,” said UWWH CEO Katie Koglman. “All applications are reviewed together and the greatest needs are selected for funding.
“As volunteers of the VIT who also donate to United Way of Wayne and Holmes, their recommendations made during this grant review process provides assurance to our donors that their gifts are being sent to the best and most qualified organizations, because each VIT member also ‘invests’ in UWWH.”
While every request is full of passion and purpose, increased requests for funds, increased donor designations and limited resources make it impossible to fund every program.
United Way Invests in the following four areas:
—Health/Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment
—Safety Net
—Workforce Development
—Youth Development
2023 United Way Grant Awards totaled $913,496 and were given to the following organizations:
—Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, scholarships and transportation, $5,060
—American Red Cross, disaster relief, $30,000
—Anazao Community Partners, case management and counseling, $50,000
—Catholic Charities, psychiatry, case management and counseling, $54,000
—Counseling Center, psychiatric services, $12,000
—Goodwill Industries, employment case management, $50,000
—Holmes Center for the Arts, scholarships, instruction and kits, $20,000
—Holmes County Council on Aging (Darb Snyder Senior Center), food, $15,000
—Holmes County General Health District, immunization clinics, $29.075
—Learn N Play, scholarships, $10,000
—NAMI Wayne & Holmes MOCA House, transportation and support groups, $24,000
—Norwayne Local Schools, STEM education, $5,200
—OHuddle, Rittman and Southeast Local Schools, $20,000
—One Eighty Inc., addiction treatment, case management, education, direct client services and shelter, $165,000
—Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club, Rittman before and after school care, summer camp scholarships, $29,200
—Salvation Army Wooster, shelter, food, case management, $105,000
—Viola Startzman Clinic, health assessments, preventative and primary care, dental care, $130,000
—Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center, forensic interviews, SANE nursing, $44,520
—Wayne County Schools Career Center, fast track credentialling, Adult Education, $12,320.20
—YMCA of Greater Wayne County, scholarships, $70,000.