United Way granted $12,131,776 to benefit local health and human service programs

United Way of Central Florida granted $12,131,776 in its 2019/2020 fiscal year to benefit local health and human service programs.

Part of the $12.1 million total includes $2.2 million from the Polk County Board of County Commissioners to provide direct aid to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year more than 120 community volunteers give a total of 2,300 hours of their time to the allocation process to ensure that only programs that demonstrate measurable impact are trusted with United Way dollars. The programs are thoroughly assessed by our Community Investment Team volunteers to make certain that significant results and outcomes are achieved.

Those volunteers invested UWCF dollars into 86 programs at 51 partner agencies. Volunteers work together to evaluate funding requests. Teams participate in site visits, study applications and assess the effectiveness of services before recommending funding allocations.

“The Community Investment process ensures wise investment of hard-earned dollars contributed to our campaign,” said Christina Criser Jackson, President & CEO of UWCF.

UWCF invests in services that address the most critical issues in Central Florida in the areas of health, education and financial stability.

Additionally, UWCF and GiveWell Community Foundation partnered this year to create the United Community Relief Fund to provide local nonprofits with additional money to help their clients through the COVID-19 pandemic.

A $310,056 disbursement was made in April to 34 organizations and a second disbursement of $300,740 was made in September to 33 nonprofits.

For this year’s Community Investment allocations, the following nonprofit organizations will receive funding for needed community programs and services.