United Way

1889 Foundation works with the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies to increase the reach and impact of the United Way’s Community Impact grants. 1889 Foundation has provided more than $5 million in funding since 2015 as a challenge grant.

Community Impact grants are distributed annually to high-performing non-profit organizations in Cambria and Somerset Counties, and are awarded by a volunteer-driven committee and review panels. The application process requires recipients to explain programs, methods, desired outcomes, and how results will be measured. Site visits are a requirement as well. Currently, 30 programs delivered by 25 partner agencies are supported through United Way.

Historically, large grants of $50,000-$200,000 have been given to organizations providing evidence-based programming that addresses social change initiatives in three main areas: preparing all children socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten; increasing parental knowledge of child development and care; and preventing youth drug and alcohol use. Smaller grants of $5,000-$50,000 have supported additional programming in health and human services.

Here’s the latest information about the 1889 Foundation-United Way collaboration.

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