United Way of Greater Cleveland awards $1.3 million in Community Hub for Basic Needs grants
December 10, 2021 01:01 PM - LYDIA COUTRÉ
It will distribute the funds in January to 16 agencies across Cuyahoga and Geauga counties, with an option to renew for a $2.6 million grant total in the subsequent year if the agencies meet performance metrics and based on United Way's workplace campaign performance.
United Way of Greater Cleveland has selected 16 agencies to receive funding in the 2022- 2023 cycle of its Community Hub for Basic Needs, the organization's investment strategy that aims to tackle poverty and the issues it creates for those living in its grips.
The funder will distribute a total of $1.3 million in January to the 16 agencies across Cuyahoga and Geauga counties, with an option to renew for a $2.6 million grant total in the subsequent year if the agencies meet performance metrics and based on United Way's workplace campaign performance, according to a news release. The organization's fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30.
United Way embarked on a strategic transformation more than three years ago, which included the creation of the Community Hub for Basic Needs, as well as its Impact Institute, both of which formed in 2019. The Community Hub model focuses on providing an immediate, coordinated response to the daily issues affecting those living in poverty, such as hunger and homelessness. The Impact Institute takes a longer-term approach as a think tank focused on research and innovation and aims to challenge the root causes that drive and keep families and individuals in the cycle of poverty.
"Entering this new era of work within the Community Hub is truly exciting as United Way aims to continue leading novel and innovative approaches to nonprofit management which are strategic game-changers in addressing both the symptoms and root causes of poverty," wrote Ken Surratt — United Way of Greater Cleveland's vice president of community investment and chief community investment officer — in a blog post announcing the funding. "Enormous potential exists to achieve significant, long-term results which will uplift those in need across our community. United Way believes that by working together on targeted initiatives, we can make the most meaningful impact on people living in poverty."
Its investments align in one or more of United Way's three community strategies: economic mobility, health pathways and housing. The grants, by those categories, are as follows, according to the release:
• Economic mobility: Lexington-Bell ($160,000), Ravenwood Health in Geauga ($120,000), Spanish American Committee ($240,000), Starting Point ($210,000), Towards Employment ($210,000), YWCA of Cleveland ($190,000) and Youth Opportunities Unlimited ($170,000)
• Health pathways: Family & Community Services, Inc. in Geauga ($80,000) Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers Inc. in Geauga ($120,000), May Dugan Center ($210,000), Thea Bowman ($200,000) and ASIA (Asian Services in Action), Inc., which received $140,000
• Housing stability: Doors of Hope in Geauga ($100,000), Frontline Services ($220,000), Joseph's Home ($140,000) and Journey Center for Safety & Healing ($150,000)
"Throughout the application process, these agencies have put forth aggressive, measurable plans to address and alleviate the symptoms of poverty and its root causes — with each plan submitted through a Race, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (RDEI) lens," Surratt wrote in the blog. "Our entire team at United Way congratulates these agencies, and we look forward to working closely together to make the lives of every Greater Clevelander better."
Beyond its investments in the Community Hub model, United Way continues announcing or investing funds in other programs and partners throughout Greater Cleveland, including $20 million in the past six months, the first half of its fiscal year. These funds have gone to programs or partners such as United Way's Impact Institute, 211, and Federated Partners, including Catholic Charities, Jewish Federation and United Black Fund, among others.
Surratt also announced in the blog that United Way is opening in March a dedicated studio in its offices at 1331 Euclid Avenue to broadcast United Way's Center for Excellence – LIVE, a capacity-building series open to all members of Greater Cleveland's nonprofit community. The program track — a calendar for which will be posted early next year— offers quarterly virtual sessions on a range of topics impacting nonprofits and the community, including, according to the blog: Build and Engage a High-Impact Board (Q1), Interpreting and Building YOUR Financial Statements (Q2), Uncovering the Nonprofit Landscape (Q3), and Leading Equity: Continuing our Conversation on Race, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Q4).
"By partnering with all our agency partners to identify and solve the many challenges we face as a community, together, we will further strengthen Cleveland's nonprofit sector," Surratt wrote.