ANN ARBOR, MI (August 4, 2023) - United Way of Washtenaw County (UWWC) made grant investments totaling $200,000 to 15 local organizations and groups disrupting the impacts of poverty, racism and trauma through its Opportunity Fund. Funded organizations are delivering solutions that prioritize people with low incomes and communities of color.
“This year’s focus of the Opportunity Fund was twofold- to resource new efforts to address our community’s most intractable issues and to address mission-critical, non-programmatic needs that keep leadership up at nights” notes Bridget Herrmann, Vice President of Impact & Advocacy for UWWC. “Grantees are delivering solutions that address the root causes and downstream impacts of racial and economic inequity in Washtenaw County.”
Grant recipients include 826michigan, Apple Playschools, Corner Health Center, Educate Youth, Elevation Youth Corporation, Feonix-Mobility Rising, Hands Across the Water, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Milan Seniors for Healthy Living, Northfield’s Human Services, SafeHouse Center, Survivors Speak, Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy, Washtenaw Camp Placement Association, and Ypsilanti Community Schools. Click here to access a detailed overview of this year’s grantees.
“Our Opportunity Fund is designed to lift up new initiatives, address emerging community needs and elevate local leader’s concerns for funding ,” shared Pam Smith, President and CEO of UWWC. “Thank you to our donors and volunteers who make these grants possible with their illustrated commitment to our community.”
Decisions about who received UWWC grants were made collectively by a community review team after participating in implicit bias training. Grant reviewer committee volunteers represented the local human services sector, businesses, and community groups. UWWC’s annual campaign provides 100% of the funding available for the Opportunity Fund..
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As part of our 100-plus year history, United Way of Washtenaw County brings people, organizations and resources together to create a thriving community for everyone. Our focus areas of Health, Education and Financial Stability are the building blocks for a strong community and create opportunities for individuals and families. Our Volunteer Center provides an easy, online way for people to connect with nonprofits in the community and our 2-1-1 helpline refers more than 8,000 people annually to critically needed services. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit uwgive.org.
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