Graham Area United Way accepting nonprofit requests
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The 2019-2020 Graham Area United Way Campaign Chair Sonny Cruse places a sticker in September representing $53,811.95, or 53% of their $100,000 goal raised. The organization held their 2019 kick-off event in September at North Central Texas College. The Allocation Committee of GAUW is currently taking applications from nonprofits interested in receiving funding from the organization. (Leader file photo)
The Graham Area United Way Allocation Committee is accepting requests from nonprofit agencies which serve the community of Graham.
GAUW was established in 1956 and has over 250-plus volunteers which help obtain employee pledges and promote employee programs.
The organization will allocate funding to 10 nonprofits in the community from their 2019-2020 campaign which had a fundraising goal of $100,000 set by the organization in September 2019. GAUW supports Bethel Children’s Daycare, Graham Backpack Buddies, Graham Girls Softball, Graham Little League and Graham Youth Baseball, Meals-On-Wheels, The Salvation Army - Graham Unit, Graham Senior Citizen Center, Virginia’s House Family Resource Center, Young County 4-H Club and the Young County Child Welfare Board.
GAUW Executive Director Susie Cerecedez said the board decided to open requests this year to get an idea of area nonprofits.
“The reason why the board decided to open is we did not meet our goal,” she said. “We raised pretty much the same as we did the year before, which we didn’t meet our goal. But, the reason why the board decided to open it is to take a more detailed look at agencies we have been serving and to see what else is out there and to make sure that the dollars are used wisely to help where it needs to be helping in our community.”
According to a GAUW press release, the organization’s constitution and by-laws requires agencies requesting funding from GAUW meet certain guidelines.
The agency must have been in operation for a minimum of three years, show longevity and must prove involvement in the community. The agency must meet the objective of GAUW and agree to operate in accordance with the organization’s constitution and by-laws. If accepted into the organization, the agency will be a cooperating organization of GAUW for one year at a time. Cerecedez said this means organizations previously involved with GAUW are not exempt from the application process.
“Every organization that applies is only for one contract year at a time, so in other words, if they are accepted in February they may not be accepted the next February,” she said.
Nonprofits who are requesting funding from GAUW can receive forms by emailing gauw@att.net. Forms must be completed, emailed and the original form signed along with one copy returned to the GAUW office at 512 Second St. no later than noon Friday, Feb. 6.
For the full story, see the Wednesday, Jan. 15 edition of The Graham Leader.
