United Way of Western Connecticut Launches Regional Grant Opportunity
Nonprofits serving Western Connecticut can seek funding related to education and financial stability beginning February 16
DANBURY, CT (February 15, 2022) — United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) is once again launching a regional grant opportunity for nonprofits beginning February 16, 2022.
The organization will provide funding for nonprofits that operate programs in the following three areas: 1) Early Childhood Education (serving children ages 0-5); 2) After-school programming (serving children ages 5-18); and 3) Financial stability. Eligible nonprofits must serve individuals in United Way of Western Connecticut’s 15-town region of Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Stamford, Warren, and Washington.
“There are so many nonprofits doing tremendous work in communities throughout Western Connecticut. We are excited to release additional funding to support their work in our three key focus areas,” said Isabel Almeida, President of United Way of Western Connecticut. “Programming related to education, both early childhood and after-school, as well as financial stability makes a life changing difference with the ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.”
Across Western Connecticut, more than 40% of households are ALICE®, meaning they have income above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. For these 40,000 households, paying for food, child care, and emergency expenses, as well as saving for the future are among their biggest hurdles. Education funding through this grant cycle will go towards programs that help to make child care and after school programs more affordable.
“Every child should have access to safe, quality care, education, and enrichment opportunities. Parents with limited incomes often cannot afford the costs of quality child care for their infants and toddlers. For their school-aged children, after school care and enrichment activities are often out of reach,” Almeida said. "United Way funding levels the playing field, providing opportunity and access to key educational supports for all households.”
ALICE households are often one emergency away from financial crisis. United Way funded financial stability programs help families budget their limited incomes while providing resources and training that give them the skills they need to obtain better, higher paying jobs.
“United Way dollars will be invested in financial stability programs that provide tools and resources to help people get on a solid financial footing. We focus on programs that allow ALICE to save and manage their money on a limited budget,” Almeida explained. “By empowering families to save and plan for the future, we’re helping to create more stable households and stronger communities.”
Applications can be accessed and completed via United Way’s e-CImpact website at: www.uwwesternct.org/grant-opportunities. The deadline for submitting the application is Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Funding will be announced during the month of June 2022 and will be allocated from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
For more information about the Early Childhood, After-School, and Financial Stability application process, please contact the United Way Community Impact Coordinator for each region:
- Greater Danbury/Northern Fairfield County & City of Stamford: Victoria Scofield at 203-883-6704 (Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, Newtown, New Fairfield, Redding, Ridgefield, and Stamford)
- Greater New Milford/Southern Litchfield County: Katy Francis at 860-354-8800 (New Milford, Bridgewater, Kent, Roxbury, Sherman, Warren, and Washington)