The United Way of Douglas County has more than $150,000 in grant funds to give to local agencies that provide food, utility and shelter support, but those who are interested don’t have much time to apply.
The organization typically receives between $34,000 and $56,000 from a long-running FEMA program. This year’s total of $152,192, bolstered by American Rescue Plan Act funds, will triple the impact from previous years, Mandy Enfield, director of operations, said via email Thursday.
“These funds are so important right now and the United Way is excited about the program flexibility and increased award amount,” Enfield said. “As an organization, we are thinking of how to best fund community programs in the context of the City’s priority shift toward homelessness direct services and anticipating how the County’s ARPA funds will be distributed. It is important that we ensure this money gets to the people who need it most.”
The United Way must receive applications via email on or before Tuesday, March 8.
“A Local Board chaired by the United Way Douglas County will determine how the funds awarded to Douglas County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area,” according to a news release about the grants. “The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.”
Applicants will receive funding notification by that Friday, March 11, according to information on the United Way’s website.
Here are some more specifics about eligible agencies from the release:
“Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.”
More information and a grant application are available at this link.
“Please note that it is a QUICK turnaround and there is no time to wait. Check it out now and reach out to the United Way with questions,” Enfield said.
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