Viewpoint: United Way accepting funding requests

Crawford County United Way is heading into its annual allocation season and is seeking applications from local nonprofit human services agencies and organizations for fund distribution throughout 2018-2019.

Last year, Crawford County United Way (CCUW) distributed funds to eight local human services agencies as well as presented the sixth LIVE UNITED Community Service Award scholarship, supported Project Graduation, Kids Day in the Park, 2-1-1 Northeast Michigan Call Center, helped our neighbors with free discount prescription drug cards through our FamilyWize Community Service partnership, and helped employed low-income people get free eye examinations through VisionUSA.

The mission of the United Way movement is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another. Through a single community-wide campaign, United Way volunteers raise funds to support local agency service providers.

“Our relationship with everyone in this community has helped us help many people in a variety of ways for many years,” said Cheryll Ruley, CCUW Executive Director. “The generosity comes from every age group, every income level, and every neighborhood. We care about each other and it shows.”

The CCUW’s 2018-2019 funding base continues to need a boost. 

“Even with the increased fundraising efforts, we’re going to have a difficult time meeting agency funding requests. And, with even more of our neighbors and friends in need, support from businesses and individuals is needed more than ever,” Ruley said.

Agencies applying for funding from Crawford County United Way must be a nonprofit charitable health and human service organization, fully describe their array of services, demonstrate how they meet local needs, and prove their cost-effectiveness and accountability to the community.

The board of directors makes the decisions about how the funds will be distributed. The board assesses our community’s human services needs, meets with service providers to discuss funding requirements when necessary, and approves the funding level for the various programs and agencies.

“Once again this year, we will not be mailing out application packets to prior recipients,” said Karen Hatley, President of CCUW. “Every penny is important, so we are asking that all previous recipients and new requesters please contact us immediately for an application to help save on printing and mailing costs.”

To receive an application, email crawforduw@gmail.com or call (989) 350-4462. The deadline to submit applications is April 1, 2018.

Donations should be sent to CCUW, P.O. Box 171, Grayling, MI 49738 or via our secure PayPal Donate button at www.crawfordunitedway.org/give. All donations are tax deductible and stay in our community.