The United Way of Central Missouri is fast-tracking $70,000 in Disaster Recovery Grants to pay for needs created by the past summer's flooding and the May 22 tornado that struck Jefferson City.
These one-time grants, announced Wednesday, are designated to support organizations' recovery programs, capacity and operational needs.
When reflecting on the aftermath of the disasters, the United Way of Central Missouri's role was to work behind the scenes to provide support, to manage volunteers and donated resources, and to support efforts of partner agencies, the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, according to Ann Bax, president of the local United Way.
These new grants will allow the United Way to provide additional support to area agencies that have felt the effects of the tornado and flooding in day-to-day work, whether or not they are United Way partners.
"Our hope is that these grants will allow these agencies to address the additional needs they have experienced as a result of the recent disasters," Bax said.
Each year, depending on whether it meets its fundraising goals, the United Way tries to make community support grants available to address immediate, critical needs. Recipients need not be partner agencies. The nonprofit announced in February it had about $200,000 available for those grants and decided on the recipients the day before the tornado. It decided to continue with its commitment to deliver those grants, despite the tornado.
The United Way called on its foundation, developed in 2003 as a safety net. Annual campaign money goes right back into the community. But the foundation gave $200,000 to meet critical needs, allowing the organization to move ahead with the planned community support grants.
The move allowed the organization to hold $200,000 and use that for ongoing disaster relief. That is where the newest grants are coming from. Also, the organization has used some of the revenue for previous recovery efforts, such as supporting the public with crisis counselors.
The new grants are open to all health and human service 501(c)(3) agencies in the service area of Cole, Osage, Moniteau, Miller, Camden, Morgan and southern Callaway counties.
United Way staff and a volunteer committee of community members will evaluate applications. Applications will require final approval by the United Way Board of Directors. The funds are to be distributed by the end of November.
Applications are available at unitedwaycemo.org/disastergrants.
Applications must be turned in to the United Way by the end of the day Nov. 1.
For technical assistance regarding the grants, contact Theresa Verslues at [email protected] or at 573-636-4100.