Each month the special projects committee reviews submitted grant applications from local non-profit and tax exempt organizations. Recommended grants are presented to the full board of directors for approval.
Since July, $33,435 has been awarded to eleven organizations. The Upper Valley Career Center was awarded $3500 to support accredited counseling for Shelby County students. Family and Children First Council was awarded $4,300 for the 2018-2019 annual membership. The Sidney Cooperative Nursery School was awarded $1,800 for literacy programming. Maplewood United Methodist Church, on behalf of six Jackson Center churches, was awarded $3,500 for the weekend backpack hunger initiative. Elizabeth New Life Center was awarded $3,500 for the Earn While You Learn curriculum. Shelby County Historical Society was awarded $1500.00 for Pioneer Days. Midwest Regional ESC was awarded $3,500 for Parent Project. Family Resource Center was awarded $2,000 to help start a supervised parental custody visitation room. Mark’s Bike Drive was awarded $3500 to purchase bicycles to be distributed during the Salvation Army Christmas Clearinghouse. The Shelby County Health Department was awarded $3,335 to purchase infant car seats for distribution at the Health Department and Wilson Health. Bridges Community Action was awarded $3500 for the Rapid Re-Housing Program. During the 2018-2019 fiscal year, over $75,000 will be awarded in smaller grants from the Special Project, Student United Way, and POWER grant budgets.
The Shelby County United Way is a local 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Monies raised in the annual campaign are invested locally under the leadership and direction of our local volunteer Board of Directors and Community Allocation Volunteers. The Shelby County United Way is highly rated from Charity Navigator. Through the first week, the campaign totals are $154,841. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or text SHELBY to 40403. Checks can be made payable to Shelby County United Way and mailed P.O. Box 751, Sidney.