$8.5M in expenses
Community investment: the community investment process focuses on economic mobility across the region, while also helping provide a safety net for people and families in need. Annually, united way of greater charlotte invests in more than 100 local nonprofit agencies and initiatives through the funding provided by generous corporate and private foundations, the public sector, and individual donors.(continued on schedule o) united way tailors its community investment process to the assets, strengths and needs of each county in our four-county footprint. In mecklenburg county, united way funds two initiatives:1) through united neighborhoods, united way supports resident-driven neighborhood revitalization efforts that improve economic mobility so that a person's zip code no longer determines their future success in the charlotte region. United way launched united neighborhoods in september 2017 with an investment over three years into the grier heights and renaissance west neighborhoods in charlotte. We expanded to the lakeview neighborhood in fy22. In fy23, united way deepened our commitment to united neighborhoods, investing $4.9m in 50+ historically disinvested neighborhoods in the city of charlotte, and in northern mecklenburg county.united neighborhoods focuses on partnerships with residents, community leaders, businesses, and nonprofits, backed by multi-year funding and staff resources from united way. From fy18 to fy23, nearly 50 community partners provided support through the united neighborhoods program. In fy24, 63 neighborhood residents participated in the grant review process, selecting the organizations that would receive funding to provide services within their communities. The program assists the communities with helping families become financially stable, find affordable housing, and prepare children to enter school ready to read and learn.united neighborhoods also supports neighborhoods that are in the early stages of comprehensive revitalization with "block building grants." these grants are focused on building the capacity of small neighborhood organizations, funding community engagement activities and completing resident-driven neighborhood planning to identify needs and solutions.2) unite charlotte supports new and grassroots organizations through grants and capacity-building activities. Through this initiative, united way supports 55 small and grassroots organizations. The founders and leaders of these grassroots organizations have a background and experience in the community they serve.unite charlotte was founded as a collaborative effort with other local funders and community leaders to address issues that led to the unrest in charlotte in the fall of 2016. Through this initiative, 55 small organizations, working to support and empower all charlotte residents, received grants ranging from $20,000 to $60,000 as well as capacity-building training.united way funding, technical assistance and guidance help stabilize and grow nonprofits, preparing them to secure additional public and private funding. We also work to strengthen the leadership capabilities within unite charlotte organizations. In fy24, 89 dedicated volunteers participated in the grant review process, evaluating agency applications to identify those organizations that can generate the greatest impact. 15 of those volunteers were community members who are close to issues this initiative aims to address.in anson county, united way funding supports organizations addressing residents' basic needs, including food security, rent and utility assistance, and housing. Recognizing the importance of providing children and youth a pathway out of poverty, united way also supported organizations focused on early childhood development and youth mentoring. In fy24, volunteers awarded funding to four agencies working in anson county.in cabarrus county, united way's investments support a collaboration between mental health professionals and community organizations. Broadly, the collaborative's goals are to reduce stigma around mental health, prepare individuals to respond to mental health crises, and provide resources to support mental wellness. In fy24, volunteers awarded funding to six agencies working in cabarrus county.in union county, united way's funding supports organizations addressing a range of critical needs, including education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, and economic stability, including housing, employment, and food security. United way funding also addresses a critical gap in services in union county by funding organizations supporting programs that offer vocational training and after school support for youth and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In fy24, volunteers awarded funding to 12 agencies working in union county.in mecklenburg county, united way partners with mecklenburg county, the city of charlotte, and over 250 people representing 150+ agencies and community leaders who have experienced homelessness to advance a home for all, a community plan to address homelessness and housing instability on a systemic level. A home for all's vision is a community in which united way of greater charlotte, INC. Homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring and every person has access to permanent affordable housing and resources to sustain it.across all four counties, united way's impact strategy advances recommendations from the charlotte-mecklenburg opportunity task force report. United way focuses on improving economic mobility through education, health and financial stability while simultaneously focusing on building stronger neighborhoods and improving the systems that serve children and families.results from agency programs funded by united way:- 28,521 individuals accessed products and services to increase their food security.- 9,717 individuals participating in united way funded partner programs accessed high quality health or mental health care.- 6,024 individuals and families accessed affordable prescription modification.- 5,597 students improved or demonstrated positive behaviors with peers and adults. - 3,268 individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness obtained safe, affordable housing.united way's board approves grant awards annually. Grant funding cycles generally begin on january 1 and conclude on december 31. We maximize the funds provided by donors by directing them toward critical programs that build pathways to economic opportunity for all.critical needs: united way of greater charlotte understands that many people across the four-county region are living in a crisis situation every day. United way is committed to changing that by providing flexible funding to more than 100 nonprofits working year-round to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents.2-1-1: NC 2-1-1 is a service provided by the united way of north carolina and is north carolina's resource for free information and referral services regarding health and human services and resources. NC 2-1-1 has a database of over 19,000 resources, including food pantries, homeless shelters, utility and rental assistance, health clinics, prescription drug assistance, counseling and substance abuse services, child care resources, senior resources, resources for persons with disabilities and much more. Volunteerism: united way of greater charlotte's volunteer engagement efforts align with the overall strategic direction of the organization by focusing on generating real impact for our partner nonprofit agencies and raising revenue to further our mission. Volunteer opportunities are offered directly in our neighborhoods. Year-round opportunities such as live united day and MLK day of services offer volunteers meaningful service opportunities that directly impact the residents we serve through united neighborhoods.
