Community Impact Grants Awarded!

April 30, 2018 - United Way of Champaign County’s mission is to bring people and resources together to create positive change and lasting impact in our community. We focus on improving Health, Education and Financial Stability right here in Champaign County.

United Way achieves our mission in several ways, including Community Impact Fund grants, initiative grants, donor-designated gifts, internal programming, and more. We’re pleased to announce that on April 26, 2018 our Board of Directors finalized the new round of Community Impact Fund grants. This action completes our annual Community Impact Package, detailed below. 

The Community Impact model is built on measurement. It allows UWCC to demonstrate how we are achieving our mission to create positive change and lasting impact in our community. It is focused on results. Additionally, we know we must address the root causes of our community’s most critical problems, not just the symptoms. This is why we focus our grant funding on a set of specific, measurable outcomes.

United Way doesn’t just require our partners to report on outcomes – we report as well. We will report back to the community annually regarding the impact our organization is making in health, education and financial stability – delivering on our mission to create positive change and lasting impact. 

These are just three examples of the 48 total outcomes United Way and our grant recipients will be striving for over the next two years. These outcomes demonstrate progress towards improving community conditions. In total, over 48,000 people will be impacted by United Way grant-funded programs annually.

• In Health, 5,700 people will demonstrate proper management of a chronic health issue

• In Education, 6,270 children (0-5) will achieve developmental milestones

• In Financial Stability, 150 people will obtain employment.

Thirty-eight local programs which aligned with United Way’s Community Impact goals will be receiving a Community Impact Fund grant for the next two years. Funds for Community Impact Fund Grants (CI Grants) come from the thousands of generous unrestricted donations made to United Way’s Community Impact Fund.

Beth Auterman, Board Chair, provided insight into the decision-making process. “When making grant decisions, United Way is focused on the big picture. With the funds we have available, how can we best make a positive change and lasting impact on the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of our community over the next two years? With the assistance of 85 community members we are able to make these tough decisions.” Grant requests are reviewed and evaluated by community members who then provide significant input regarding programs and anticipated outcomes to the Board of Directors.

Sue Grey, President & CEO, said “United Way fights for the Health, Education and Financial Stability of every person in Champaign County – because our community is worth it. We know our Community Impact Package will make measurable, long-term changes in our community, and we’re excited to get to work.”

United Way’s annual campaign continues through June 30, 2018.