United Way of Greater Toledo will present grants to 61 external programs across Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties, focusing on education, financial stability, health and housing.
Awards total $7.9 million in the first funding year of the three-year grant cycle.
“Without our United Way donors, advocates and volunteers, we could not leverage the dollars, and therefore implement the strategies, needed to create real, meaningful change in our community,” said Wendy Pestrue, president and chief executive officer at United Way of Greater Toledo.
More than 180 applicants submitted grant proposals, while 133 moved forward with an interview conducted by 65 community reviewer volunteers with human services expertise or had direct experience utilizing assistance programs.
Among the organizations and agencies receiving United Way grants in the Lucas County area are:
•Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Mothers with Health Equity, Resilience and Stability, $65,287;
•Beach House Steps to Home housing program, $98,019;
•Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo, Building Competencies, $196,993;
•Catholic Club, child care ages infant to 5, $105,908;
•Dental Center of Northwest Ohio comprehensive dental care, $73,864;
•Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center, children’s advocacy center and domestic violence advocacy, $135,243;
•Harbor, supporting early emotional development, $78,007;
•Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio, Getting Healthy Zone, $66,262;
•St. Paul’s Community Center, emergency shelter, $98,064;
•Toledo Day Nursery, early care and education, $128,657;
•The Tabernacle and YMCA of Greater Toledo, community center-based hubs, $158,141;
•The University Church, Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Ohio, the Tabernacle, YMCA of Greater Toledo, school-based community hubs with Toledo Public Schools, $395,352;
•YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo, Live Well Greater Toledo and Success in Schools initiative, $163,677;
•YMCA of Northwest Ohio, Baby Talk, child care resource and referral support services, domestic violence shelter, early childhood partnership, rape crisis center, $224,194;
•Zepf Center, Safety Net, $60,318.
In addition, 18 other Lucas County organizations received lesser amounts.
Also, seven internal programs of United Way will receive funding:
•Adopt a Family, $86,769;
•African-American Leadership Council, Continue United, Emerging Leaders, women’s initiative, $80,491;
•2-1-1 calling center, $761,803;
•Volunteer center, $86,909;
•Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library/Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library, $184,027;
•Community impact strategy and public policy, $1,172,125.
“I cannot express the deep gratitude that I have for our community volunteers, who were the drivers behind all our grant decisions,” said Jill Bunge, senior director of community impact and lead staffer for United Way’s grant process.
“The next three years are going to be very exciting as we watch these programs flourish and continue to do powerful things.”
