Cedar Valley United Way Invests $2.1 Million in Community

WATERLOO, IA – Cedar Valley United Way will invest $2.1 million in local programs to advance the common good in the 2010-11 funding year. The dollars invested were given through the donations of individuals, businesses and foundations. Grant recipients for the 2010-11 year are programs working in one of United Way’s three focus areas—education, income and health.

These funded programs were chosen by three teams of volunteers knowledgeable of the areas funded. The volunteers reviewed the applications and evaluated objectives and outcomes for each program. To be eligible, programs must target one of the three program areas. In addition, the Financial Stewardship Committee reviewed the programs’ parent agencies for the financial ability to provide the programs for the year.

“We have the responsibility to distribute the funds of contributors in a manner which will have the greatest positive impact on this community,” said Matt Hesse, Cedar Valley United Way Board member and member of the Community Impact Team for Education. “The programs receiving grant funding demonstrate a commitment to United Way’s target issues of education, income and health and are prepared to show the outcomes of how the United Way grants will improve lives in the Cedar Valley.”

Of the money being distributed:

• $181,934 will be invested in programs to improve academic achievement.
• $73,000 will be invested in programs aimed at creating productive and engaged youth.
• $516,475 will be invested in helping people achieve greater financial stability.
• $256,691 will be invested in programs to increase people’s income.
• $500,250 will be invested in programs to create and maintain healthy youth and adults.
• $188,880 will be invested in basic health care and prevention programs.
• $65,000 will be invested in programs that strengthen maternal health and infant well-being.
• $246,000 has already been put to work in the community to meet the increased demand for human services in these uncertain times.
• $20,000 will be invested in the 2-1-1 Help Line to give people the opportunity to connect with the resources they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• $10,000 will be invested in the Community Partnership Fund to provide training opportunities to local non-profits to enhance their capacity and effectiveness.
• $282,477 will be distributed to non-profit organizations through donor designations to enable the agencies to further their own mission.

“The people and organizations in our community continue to show their generosity and their desire to make this a stronger community,” said Sheila Baird, Cedar Valley United Way president. “It’s exciting to watch now as we see how these contributions can change the lives of our friends and neighbors.”

Non-profit grant partners for 2010-11 include: Allen College, Allen Hospital-Women’s Health, The Arc of Cedar Valley, Aspire, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club of Black Hawk County, Cedar Valley Preschool, Christian Community Development, Communities in Schools, Community Housing Initiative, Consumer Credit Counseling, Covenant Medical, Eastside Ministerial Alliance, Exceptional Persons, Inc., Family and Children’s Council, The Family YMCA of Black Hawk County, Friends of C.A.S.A., Friends of Hartman Reserve, Grin and Grow, Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross, Hawkeye Community College, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center, Lutheran Services of Iowa, NAMI, Northeast Iowa Center for Independent Living, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Operation Threshold, Pathways, Peoples Community Health Clinic, The Salvation Army, Seeds of Hope, Together for Youth, Visiting Nurses Association, Volunteer Center and YWCA of Black Hawk County.

Cedar Valley United Way is committed to leveraging resources including financial contributions, community expertise, in-kind contributions and partnerships to fuel impact here in our community. For more information about Cedar Valley United Way and how you can give, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.

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