[TOLEDO, Ohio] – As one of the longest-serving charitable organizations in northwest Ohio, United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) is proud to announce $6.8 million in Community Investments for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.
This year’s investments include $4.9 million in grants and programs, including $2.8 million to fund 50 organizations leading 60 programs throughout Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood counties, $1.3 million for leading nonprofits to collaborate toward better solutions and the data analysis to support that work, and $790,000 invested in 211 and coordinated entry. The organization will also facilitate $1.9 million dollars in direct designations.
Two features make these grants unusual in the region. The first is that the allocation decisions are made by a group of providers and community members, some of whom have received support services in the past. This type of grassroots decision-making is part of a national best practice called the Collective Impact Model, which the United Way has brought to Northwest Ohio. Review grant Investments by pillar at UnitedWayToledo.org.
“The Community Impact Cabinet is different because these are individuals that have first-hand experience implementing programs like the ones that are being funded. They have lived experience with the individuals being served,” said Beth Deakins, executive director of Healthy Living at the YMCA, and chair of the cabinet. “Some have benefitted from some kind of social program in the past, which I think is unique across the community.”
These individuals know where there are gaps in services, and together study the investment options available to best fill those gaps, allowing donors to contribute to solutions they didn’t know existed.
Another significant feature of these grants is that they are good for three years. Deakins explained this promotes improvement of services in a way that a one-year grant cannot. “A longer grant cycle allows organizations to focus on implementing the work, evaluating the work, and figuring out where there’s opportunity for growth,” she said.
The United Way is proud to be able to hold grants steady through these challenging years.
“We deeply appreciate the thousands of individuals and families whose donations, both small and large, make this investment in our community possible. In addition to funding many of the region’s most effective nonprofits and filling the gaps in social services, your dollars are bringing together experts across nonprofits to create integrated, coordinated approaches to the lack of education, housing, health, and financial stability in our region. Complex, real-world problems require united solutions. Thanks to all of you who are part of this effort,” said Wendy Pestrue, chief executive officer at UWGT.
United Way of Greater Toledo proudly serves the residents of Lucas, Ottawa and Wood County in Northwest Ohio. Our human services nonprofit fights to strengthen education, financial stability, health and housing resources for every child, adult and family. By uniting the caring power of people through giving, advocating and volunteering, together, we can tackle our community’s toughest issues.
