UNITED WAY OF VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE INC

UNITED WAY OF VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE IS A UNIQUE ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY. UW ENGAGES LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS AND INDIVIDUALS TO DETERMINE AND PRIORITIZE OUR REGION'S MOST PRESSING NEEDS. A COMMITTED NETWORK OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS DETERMINES WHICH PROGRAMS MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN ADDRESSING THESE NEEDS. FROM JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025, UNITED WAY OF VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE INVESTED OVER $4.2 MILLION DOLLARS IN QUALITY PROGRAMS, INITIATIVES, AND SMALL GRANTS THAT MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. $3.7 MILLION CAME IN THE FORM OF GRANTS SPECIFICALLY AWARDED TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT UNITED WAY'S SIGNATURE INITIATIVES - EARLY LEARNING STRATEGIES AND FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGIES, AND THE REMAINDER CAME FROM DONATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND. ADDITIONALLY, UNITED WAY MADE INVESTMENTS IN THE WORK OF OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES WHICH ADDRESSED KEY PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE AREAS OF EARLY LEARNERS, SUCCESSFUL YOUTH AND HEALTHY ADULTS USING A FUNDING MODEL THAT BUILDS ON PARTNERSHIPS AMONG SERVICE PROVIDERS TO BETTER ADDRESS CLIENT NEEDS AND BUILD COALITIONS THAT SHARE OUTCOMES TO ATTRACT OTHER FUNDERS. THIS MODEL RESULTS IN SUSTAINED SOCIAL PROGRESS, STREAMLINED ACCESS FOR CLIENTS AND DEEPENED CONNECTIONS AMONG PARTNERS. IN 2024 - 2025 FY, FUNDING WAS AWARDED IN TWO TIERS. TIER 1 WAS FOR THE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP THAT ADDRESSES FAMILY NEEDS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE HUB. FAMILIES ARE IDENTIFIED THROUGH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, WHO THEN WORK ONE ON ONE TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND ALIGN THE FAMILY WITH SUPPORTS TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. UNITED WAY INVESTED $200,000 IN THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE HUB PARTNERSHIP. TIER 2 IS FOR SYSTEM INNOVATION COLLABORATIONS THAT ADDRESS COMPLEX SOCIAL ISSUES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AMONG THE SERVICE PROVIDER NETWORK. UNITED WAY INVESTED $230,000 IN 3 SYSTEM INNOVATION COLLABORATIONS THAT ADDRESSED EARLY EDUCATION, YOUTH PROGRAMMING, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS MODEL HAS SEEN OVER 6,000 CHILDREN ACCESS QUALITY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE WITH 439 RECEIVING MEDICAL SERVICES; 387 YOUTH WERE SERVED AT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, OVER 1,000 ADULTS AND YOUTH WERE CONNECTED WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES; 2,905 PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS WERE ASSISTED WITH LOCATING NECESSARY RESOURCES, AND 308 ADULTS WERE ASSISTED WITH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. AN ADDITIONAL $70,000 WAS PROVIDED IN SMALL GRANTS THAT SUPPORTED YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND OTHER HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS.

UNITED WAY OF VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE ALSO PROCESSES DIRECT DESIGNATIONS TO AGENCIES AS A SERVICE TO ITS DONORS. THESE ORGANIZATIONS MUST MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS SO UNITED WAY CAN ACCEPT FUNDS ON THEIR BEHALF. IN THE FALL 2024 CAMPAIGN, MORE THAN 140 AGENCIES RECEIVED DESIGNATIONS THROUGH UNITED WAY DONORS AMOUNTING TO JUST OVER $150,000.