UNITED WAY OF GREATER LAFAYETTE ALLOCATES $4.4M IN PROGRAM FUNDING

 By Carly Rosenberger and Jennifer Million

At their December board meeting the United Way of Greater Lafayette’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of more than $4.4 million to services and programs in Tippecanoe and Montgomery counties. Nearly 50 agencies and programs in Tippecanoe and Montgomery counties will benefit from the approved awards, which are comprised of 2021 campaign dollars, COVID-19 response funding, and reserve capital from the UWGL.

Although United Way of Greater Lafayette’s campaign raised fewer dollars this past year, the board of directors approved funding allocations above and beyond what was raised. The board utilized financial reserves to avoid making additional cuts to local partners who continue to experience the hard-hitting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board President Laura Downey said, “The demands on our partner agencies continue to be very high due to the effects of the global pandemic, and the board felt strongly that using reserves to maintain funding at close to last year’s levels was important.  We look forward to a having a strong campaign in 2022 as the economy gets back on track.”

United Way of Greater Lafayette invests funding in services and programs that fulfill the Cradle to Career Commitment. Additionally, an RFP established in 2017 prioritizes funding for affordable housing, mental health, substance abuse, and youth development. The funding will be used to provide steady support for our current funded partners, as well as two new organizations—Heartford House and HomesteadCS. Heartford House serves as a child advocacy center for children who have been victim or witness to a crime, and Homestead CS is a housing counseling agency offering assistance to all homeowners and potential homeowners, regardless of income.