Valley's United Way completes review of 2012 impact grants

By Kim Walter -- kwalter@nvdaily.com

The United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley completed this year's grant review process with limited funds and an overwhelming number of requests from the community.

More than $800,000 in program grants was requested by 37 local organizations, according to a release sent out by the United Way.

However, only $332,669 was available from donors for impact grants. An additional $342,000 will be distributed as donor-specific funds to various agencies, both locally and outside the region.

With the donor designated funds, those giving money can specify exactly where the amount should go.

President Joseph Shtulman said that almost $400,000 from central services and lost pledges will also help fund organizations. This brings the total to more than $1 million.

"We set a goal much higher, but didn't meet it," he said about the group's fundraising during the past year. "A lot of companies are still dealing with the economy."

Last year, the local United Way requested more than $1 million for donation, Shtulman said.

"We typically receive a lot more requests than we have money for," he said.

A majority of funds come from area workers.

"It's those in the workplace that donate the most, so we're trying to get to them more directly," Shtulman said. "I think a lot of people in the work place recognize the need in the community."

The funds will go toward programs that fall into three categories: education, income and health. This is the second year the United Way has focused their fundraising efforts into these three categories, Shtulman said.

The review process was done by 44 community volunteers who reviewed the applications and also undertook site visits to best recommend that grant funding focus on priority human care needs.