United Way’s annual campaign has entered its home stretch.
The group is seeking to raise a total of $750,000 by March 22 to be distributed to nonprofits throughout the county. Julisa Stone with United Way said the money raised is invaluable to the community.
“Every dollar that we raise goes out to support our friends and family in Cayuga County,” said Stone. “The funding goes to support things like scouting, before and after school child care, transportation needs, food security, utilities, and a whole spectrum of needs in our community, and that’s the impact your dollar makes.”
She added that each year United Way adjusts its goal amount based on how much it has previously raised, the economy, and funding request history. The annual goal is set in the summer, about six months before the grant requests come in for the funding season.
“We want to pick something that’s fairly achievable but also substantial enough to make a dent in the funding requests,” Stone continued. “The request we’ve received this year is $100,000 more than the request that we received last year so the need is always changing and growing.”
United Way has volunteers review grant applications and meet with potential grantees to discuss their projects and goals. The volunteers then recommend to the Fund Distribution Committee how much each applicant should receive. From there, the committee takes this information and makes a formal recommendation to the Board of Directors who have the final vote on fund allocation.
Funds raised in 2023 are going to support 24 agencies this year. Money raised this year will go to support nonprofits in 2025. Stone said 28 groups have applied for funding this year.
United Way has two fundraisers left before the campaign ends. The first will see Doug’s Fish Fry To Go at the First Presbyterian Church in Weedsport from 11:00a-6:00p on Monday. The second is the annual United Way of Cayuga County Night at the Syracuse Crunch hockey game scheduled for March 22.
You can learn more about the organization at unitedwayofcayugacounty.org.
