June 26, 2020
Contact: Jennifer S. Sexton
Collective Impact Consultant
United Way of Charlotte County
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – United Way of Charlotte County (UWCC) announces $677,500 of community funding to 23 local health and human service programs at 18 agencies beginning in October 2020. UWCC provides the process and oversight for distribution of local government funds from both Charlotte County ($650,000) and the City of Punta Gorda ($27,500).
Seventy-seven local volunteers donated their time and expertise to determine the 2020-2021 allocations. Community Impact Panel volunteers employed consistent, standardized methods to evaluate and ultimately fund those programs best positioned to meet the needs of our community and move the needle on reducing poverty. The volunteers, board and staff dedicated over 800 hours of service, vetting the organizations that applied for funding to determine the community investments. The process to allocate funding to the agencies is an eight-month process offered by UWCC as a service to the Charlotte County community, withholding no administrative cost to do so.
“We have a dedicated group of volunteers who put in many hours of work to recommend the disbursement of funds,” said UWCC Executive Director, Angie Matthiessen. “I can’t thank our volunteers enough for their time and thoughtfulness throughout the entire process.”
UWCC volunteers are asked to evaluate programs based upon community needs, measurable outcomes, financial transparency, and accountability. The volunteers reviewed agency financials, funding applications, and agency operations, heard agency presentations, and made allocation recommendations. Those recommendations were reviewed by the UWCC Executive Committee, which made its recommendations to the UWCC Board of Directors. The Board approved those recommendations at its meeting in May.
“United Way of Charlotte County is honored to be entrusted as stewards of the county and city dollars,” said UWCC Board President, Charlotte Miller. “Through our extensive grant vetting process, we address the most pressing needs in our community efficiently and effectively.” This year an added benefit offered to the agencies was in partnership with Port Charlotte SCORE. Volunteer mentors from SCORE were available as a resource in grant preparation to all agencies to which several utilized.
Much of the grant funding is directed at connecting residents to basic human services including emergency housing, quality afterschool programming, health care services and more. Beyond that, funding is used to support various programs aimed at family stability.
Additionally, for the last two years, UWCC has leveraged grant funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to improve on outcomes reporting, achieve data consistency, and train the agencies to ensure a whole family approach to their impact.
“We are committed to creating meaningful change in Charlotte County,” said Matthiessen. “One way we drive change is by investing in the best local education, financial stability, and health and wellness programs to impact our community’s children and their families.”
A complete list of agency recipients and their programs is available at www.unitedwayccfl.org/fundedpartners.
About United Way Charlotte County
United Way of Charlotte County mobilizes the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty by bringing together local agencies, corporations, donors, volunteers and government to create lasting social change. Our work and our investments stay right here, supporting thousands of people every year. For more information about United Way Charlotte County, please visit UnitedWayccfl.org., or call 941-627-3539.