United Way Accepting Funding Applications

United Way of Pickens County is continuing their efforts to address wide-spread need with a strategic approach to community investment. Through a partnership with community-based organizations, United Way is working to ensure that Pickens County residents have access to basic, necessary services while asking how we can work toward eliminating this need.

To put this system into practice, United Way is collaborating with local leaders, volunteers, and community representatives to identify the most urgent needs in Pickens County, develop and implement strategies for positive change and provide accountability through measuring results across our communities. The focus of the United Way is to identify community priorities and then work with partners and agencies to address those priority issues.

In an effort to more efficiently and effectively address those identified issues, the United Way of Pickens County will be accepting applications from non-profit organizations serving Pickens County to be considered in the allocations and investment process for fiscal year 2013-2014.

In order to apply for funding, agencies must submit a Precertification Application by February 15, 2013 that will allow each organization to demonstrate its ability to operate programs in a manner consistent with the highest standards of quality and integrity.

All agencies incorporated as not-for-profit and tax-exempt under IRS Code 501(c) 3 that serve the residents of Pickens County are eligible to apply for certification as a United Way-compliant organization. Any agency validated as funding-eligible will then be permitted to apply for program funding in accordance with the United Way of Pickens County’s Community Impact Plan in one of three focus areas:

1) Education and Youth Development

Helping children and youth achieve their potential

Target issues to be addressed by partner agencies:

• Early Childhood Education

2) Financial Stability

Promoting employment security and financial independence

Target issues to be addressed by partner agencies:

• Employment Training and Job Connections

3) Community Basic Services

Supporting a thriving system of basic needs services

Target issues to be addressed by partner agencies:

• Services for Families and Individuals in Times of Crisis