2023 Allocations - United Way of Pottawatomie County

UNITED WAY OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY DONATES

$248,750 TO 23 AREA NONPROFITS

August 10, 2023, Shawnee, OK – The United Way of Pottawatomie County (UWPC) is honored to announce that on July 15, a total of $248,750 has been granted to 23 local area partner agencies.

The six-figure allocated amount was raised during the 2023 UWPC annual fundraising campaign through community fundraising events, individual donations, and through dozens of local business employee campaigns, where companies invite employees to donate to UWPC through payroll deductions.

Agencies who qualify for UWPC funding must provide services to residents residing in Pottawatomie, Lincoln and/or Seminole Counties, provide programming that aligns with the UWPC impact areas, must conduct an annual third-party financial audit, and have a current 501c3 nonprofit status.

List of awarded funds to each partner agency:

$25,000 – Community Market of Pottawatomie County
$25,000 – Project: SAFE
$20,000 – Legacy Parenting Center
$20,000 – Volunteer Health Center of Pottawatomie, Inc,
$19,500 – Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County
$18,000 – COCAA/Meals on Wheels
$18,000 – The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club
$14,000 – Uplift Mentoring
$12,500 – Shawnee Family YMCA
$12,500 – Youth and Family Resource Center, Inc.
$10,000 – The Salvation Army
$8,500 – Last Frontier Council – Boy Scouts of America
$8,000 – Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty
$7,500 – Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma
$5,000 – Gateway to Prevention & Recovery
$5,000 – Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma
$4,600 – Pottawatomie County 4-H
$4,000 – American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Oklahoma
$3,850 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma
$2,500 – Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. (LASO)
$2,000 – Heartline 211
$2,000 – Pioneer Library System
$1,300 – South Central Industries and Housing

This past March, qualifying agencies submitted applications to be reviewed by the UWPC Allocations Committee, a group of board members and community members who donate their time to serve on this volunteer committee. The Allocations Committee reviewed applications, toured agencies, and then submitted recommendations in June 2023 to the full UWPC Board of Directors for approval. Award notifications were sent to each agency and funding began July 15, 2023. Two new non-profit organizations have been added as UWPC partner agencies, Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma (CACCO) and Pioneer Library System.

“We are so grateful to be selected as a United Way partner. Many say it takes a village to raise a child. At CACCO, we believe it takes a community committed to cultivating a safe and secure environment for each child to grow and thrive in,” said KC Campbell, Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma. “As a United Way partner, we hope not only to improve sustainability but to also increase community awareness on the vital services the CACCO offers and how each individual can aide in the fight to build resiliency and hope in the victims and families we serve.”

“United Way is excited to announce the new partnerships with these two new non-profit agencies. Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma and Pioneer Library System both provide tremendous value to our community, and we are excited to partner with them for years to come,” said Sandy Vanderburg, Executive Director of United Way of Pottawatomie County. “The April 19 Shawnee Tornado slowed down our process and provided some hurdles, but we made the allocations process a priority and were able to complete the process on time before the end of our fiscal year. It is essential for United Way to re-invest in area non-profits who strive to fight for youth success, strong families, and make sure that all Individuals have access to basic needs.”

UWPC will host the United Way ‘Kickoff Cookoff’ on August 29 from 11:30AM-1:30PM at Gordon Cooper Technology Center Safety Center. A donation of $10 per person is requested for entry into the event. Attendees will enjoy a variety of locally entered chilis with all the fixings! All proceeds benefit the UWPC and partner agencies. Lunch tickets may be purchased at the door or ahead of time by texting UNITEDWAYCHILI to 41444 or visiting unitedwaypottco.org/chili-cookoff.

To learn more about the annual United Way Fundraising Campaign, our partner agencies, and to make a donation, please visit unitedwaypottco.org.

Photo 1: KC Campbell, Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma, receives a donation from Caleb Winsett, UWPC Board President.