United Way of Central Carolinas will give $26.4 million in grants to more than 100 community organizations in the fiscal year that begins July 1. The agency said the grants will go to programs that focus on health and education, strengthen neighborhoods and boost economic mobility in Mecklenburg and four surrounding counties.
This year's grants are 25 percent lower than last year's and cover 18 months, instead of one year. The United Way announced in February it was shifting from a July 1 fiscal year funding schedule to calendar-year grants.
United Way CEO Laura Clark said donations have fallen and the agency has been using its savings to fund grants.
"What this will allow us to do is align our revenue with our funding decisions. So we know what we have before we allocate those funds, and therefore are not using our reserve fund to buttress what the community may raise from year to year," Clark said.
The United Way also has cut its own budget for next year by $1 million, which included layoffs.
Grants are funded by corporate and individual donations. This year's grants include $17.7 million allocated by the United Way and $8.7 million to agencies designated by donors.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
See a full list of grant recipients here.
More information at the United Way website, https://uwcentralcarolinas.org/
