Madison, WI (April 20, 2020) – Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,000 donors, volunteers with United Way of Dane County are pleased to announce that 36 applications representing 90 organizations will receive approximately $1.5 million in grant funding through the Dane County COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Fund.
The Fund was launched March 13 in collaboration with Boys & Girls Club of Dane County and Selfless Ambition, and it ultimately raised $2 million. $425,000 was granted to local organizations in the first phase of the granting process. You can read more about those investments here. Additional dollars were designated by donors to local organizations and other United Ways.
The remaining $1.5 million has been awarded to these organizations to support Coronavirus-related food, housing and flexible funding needs.
Starting March 20, United Way of Dane County received 100 applications totaling more than $3.4 million in requests. Since then a 17-member volunteer committee reviewed the applications and made recommendations. United Way’s Board of Directors approved the recommendations early Monday.
“These investments reflect our committee’s goal to address our community’s greatest needs during this crisis, including housing and food insecurity, job/income loss and childcare issues-- particularly among communities of color who are disproportionately affected by this pandemic,” explains Dr. Barbara Nichols, United Way Vision Council Chair and Co-Chair of the Emergency and Recovery Fund Committee.
“The needs that are arising from Coronavirus are unprecedented. Families are looking for resources right now to keep food on the table, pay their bills and stay in their homes. There is a delay for those eligible for unemployment or federal stimulus dollars. We aim to get dollars into the hands of people who need help right now,” adds United Way President & CEO Renee Moe.
People seeking support are encouraged to call United Way’s 211 information and referral service.
Following these grants, United Way is shifting to a long-term community response strategy, with the launch of a #GivingTuesdayNow campaign on May 5. More details on that effort will be provided April 30.
If you have questions about these grants, please contact Molly Meister at molly.meister@uwdc.org.
P.S. United Way of Dane County is actively recruiting volunteers to assist in COVID-19-related efforts, especially safe food delivery. Help now with safe volunteer opportunities and material donation needs specific to COVID-19 relief at www.volunteeryourtime.org.
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About United Way of Dane County: United Way of Dane County is how our community comes together to address our community’s toughest issues. Our focus addresses systemic barriers and helps local families access the building blocks of well- being: a quality education, a family-supporting job and health supports. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, United Way brings the many voices of Dane County together to find common ground, develop a strategic architecture for change, and make measurable progress, while engaging businesses and individuals to give, advocate and volunteer to change lives in Dane County. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All.
