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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Volunteers with Graham Area United Way pose for a photo during the organization’s kickoff luncheon Sept. 18, 2025 at North Central Texas College. The organization is seeking new agencies to benefit from its annual fundraising efforts.
Each year, Graham Area United Way hosts a fundraising campaign for local partner agencies and the organization is seeking new agencies to benefit from the fundraising effort.
GAUW is accepting applications for new nonprofit agencies through 5 p.m. Thursday, June 4 to receive funding from the local organization. To find out more information, or to obtain an application, email executivedirector@grahamareaunitedway.com.
Agencies that are currently partnered with GAUW to receive funding are Bethel Children’s Daycare, Graham Backpack Buddies, Graham Crisis Center, Graham Senior Citizens Center, Meals on Wheels, Young County 4-H and Virginia’s House.
GAUW Executive Director Lexee Alberts said on top of receiving a portion of the fundraising campaign, the agencies receive exposure and recognition as an official GAUW agency in the community.
“Our community partners value GAUW’s review of agency financials and goals to ensure their fundraising gifts are being properly utilized within the community,” Alberts said. “GAUW also shares relevant United Way Worldwide materials and resources with partner agencies.”
Some of the qualifications to join as a partner agency are that the organization must support Young County citizens and not duplicate offerings of current GAUW agencies.
“They also must have been established for at least three years, have a board of directors with representatives from the Young County community, have a formal financial review or audit process and submit budget breakdowns,” Alberts said.
The GAUW Allocations Committee reviews each nonprofit’s mission, financials, tax status and how the funding will be used to determine what agencies make the final cut. The GAUW Board of Directors then give the final approval on the agencies.
The executive director said due the community’s generosity, GAUW is providing the most funding to its partner agencies than in the last five years.
“This increase in donations is also allowing us to open up applications for additional agencies to participate in the 2026 fundraising campaign,” Alberts said. “All of our current agencies had their GAUW grant requests met from the 2025 campaign and are receiving those funds in the coming months.”
Donations to the organization can be made during the campaign and year-round by visiting grahamareaunitedway.com/donate. The organization is also always seeking community assistance.
“Volunteers are needed during each campaign period to assist with distributing pledge cards and GAUW information throughout the community,” Alberts said.
