United Way of Anderson County awarded nearly $50,000 in grants to local nonprofits as part of its first Discretionary Grant cycle last month. While UWAC’s standard grant cycle focuses on programs that will have a long-term impact on clients’ lives, the Discretionary Grant offers funding for one-time, project-based requests that will enable the organizations to improve or expand the reach of existing programs and provide better service to their clients.
In total, fourteen organizations received funding for projects such as community gardens, improved communication systems, and work on a new industrial kitchen. Funding even the smallest requests still meant having a profound impact. For example, Ecumenical Storehouse, Inc. only requested funds to buy new tires for their transport truck. But as President Debbie Jordan explains, that means being able “to fulfill our mission, which is to provide usable household items to those in crisis…. It allows all the families that come through our doors to be able to have the essential household items necessary for a decent home life.”
UWAC is excited to be able to offer more support to our partners through this new grant. If you would like more information about the funded requests or the upcoming 2017-2018 campaign, please visit uwayac.org or call 865-483-8431.