Throughout the current campaign, we continue to learn how great things happen when we live united. United Way of Story County (UWSC) focuses on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life – and the community is coming together to help advance the common good in these areas.
In addition to investing in core programs through partner agencies, UWSC offers the opportunity for human service agencies in Story County to apply for grant funding. When funding is available (which may come from such sources as campaign donations directed to education, income or health, income from the UWSC Endowment or the annual budget, or from Golf Fore Kids), the UWSC Allocations Committee will review applications before presenting recommendations to the UWSC Board of Directors. The awarded grants must support unanticipated, emerging or other under-funded needs.
Earlier this summer, UWSC awarded Community Impact Grants to support projects on a larger scale than the monthly grant applications. Applicants were asked to demonstrate how their programs impact the community and people served in the areas of education, income and health. In July, the UWSC Board of Directors voted to allocate more than $114,000 total to seven programs.
For the next several weeks, this column will highlight all seven Community Impact Grant recipients as a way to share the good work of local agencies and, at the same time, fill you in on other opportunities UWSC provides beyond the traditional campaign and funding model.
The Board voted to allocate an $8,621 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Story County to purchase six Apple iMac computers and update current wireless capacity with a stronger router and a secure firewall.
The Boys & Girls Club of Story County has been serving youth in Story County for over fifty years. Consistently, recreational activities are provided during out of school time, but as future career success hinges on technological aptitude, youth are in need of a technological infrastructure that supports current academic achievement and future success.
The Club’s internal technological structure no longer meets the academic needs of its youth membership. All school age youth need computers and safe access to the internet for academic support. Elementary school members need computers to do online assignments throughout the school year. Middle and high school youth have school issued laptops but need safe wireless access to complete their homework. This United Way grant will increase the number of computers from six to 12, which will be used by approximately 70 school aged members daily. In addition, updating the current wireless and firewall system in the Ames clubhouse is necessary to support the access load needed for members to complete their homework and school assignments. Some members don’t have computers or Internet access at home or have little time outside school and Club to work on assignments. Therefore, it’s critical for the Club to have enough computers and safe Internet access.
It can also be noted that, just as in the ASSET process, outcomes are important to UWSC in the grant process as well. After UWSC has received a signed agreement from the Boys & Girls Club, or any other agency, the grant payment is made. A report on the status of the program and use of funds is required from the agency six months after the initial grant date. Thus, the UWSC grant process ensures investments are not only needed but also spent effectively.
The momentum is building, and we’re excited to share the collective good work. We invite you join us and see that great things happen when we live united. You can give, you can advocate and you can volunteer.