PORT ANGELES — Five area nonprofit agencies have received a combined six-figure boost from United Way of Clallam County.
United Way’s Funds Distribution Committee agreed to distribute $300,000 in Impact Funding, dollars “that are directly connected to United Way’s priority focus areas of safe and stable housing, strong and secure families, and lifelong learning to ensure a strong workforce,” the organization said in a press release.
Here are the grants:
• Olympic Peninsula YMCA was the largest single recipient with $100,000.
• Clallam Mosaic, a nonprofit that works to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers, received $50,000 and a promise of $50,000 in 2024.
• Each receiving $50,000 were the Sequim Health & Housing Collaborative, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County and the North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network.
“The national housing crisis has hit us hard in Clallam County, and we are thrilled to be able to allocate $150,000 toward safe and affordable housing solutions in 2023,” said Christy Smith, United Way of Clallam County CEO, in a press release.
Impact Funds provide $100,000 designated to benefit organizations supporting strong and secure families, and the final $50,000 is directed toward ongoing education and professional training.
“We are happy to be using a trust-based philanthropy model in awarding these Impact Funds,” said Mary Beth Gregory, Community Impact director.
“Trust-based philanthropy is rooted in advancing equity by shifting the balance of power away from funding groups and towards the organizations doing the work on the ground.”
United Way of Clallam County’s campaign year begins and ends in March, but Impact Funds are allocated at the end of each calendar year to allow partner agencies to budget for the coming year.
Donations can be made to United Way of Clallam County at 360-457-3011, online at unitedwayclallam.org or by mailing to: United Way of Clallam County, PO Box 937, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
“A strong community is a good place to call home,” Smith said.
“We all win when families and individuals have their basic needs met, are healthy, succeed in school and are financially stable and independent.”
