United Way Campaign Kick-Off & Goal Announcement for 2021

Carrolyn Salazar • August 10, 2021

Wooster, Ohio (August 2, 2021) - United Way of Waynes and Holmes Counties (UWWH) is excited to kick-off their 2021 Campaign. This year the UWWH goal is $1.65 Million. Fundraising is underway with lots of events and festivities planned. The dollars raised help thousands of local people each year.

Last year, United Way successfully hit their goal of $1.5 Million dollars. With Katie Koglman at the helm as the CEO of United Way, along with the Board of Directors, they continue to see increased needs in our community and the UWWH is raising the goal for 2021 by 10%, as they have done since Koglman was the CEO.

This year the United Way campaign theme is “Be the Light”. United Way wants to show people the many ways you can be the light in your community. You can be the difference, be the love, be the voice, be the strength, be the hope and be the encouragement to so many.

One donation to UWWH funds 40 local programs led by local organizations, including: American Red Cross, Anazao Community Partners, Boys & Girls Club of Wooster, Catholic Charities, Children’s Advocacy Center, Forget Me Not Baskets, Goodwill Industries, Holmes Center for the Arts, Holmes County Health District, Learn N Play, NAMI, National Inventors Hall of Fame, OHuddle, OneEighty, Salvation Army Wooster, The Counseling Center, Viola Startzman Clinic, Wayne Center for the Arts, Wayne County Schools Career Center, Wooster City Schools and YMCA.

In addition to the funded partner programs UWWH supports many other initiatives, including, but not limited to: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Glenmont Food Pantry, Matthew 25 Project, the Severe Weather Shelter, and West Salem Outreach.

“We are asking you to Be the Light this year to the people in our community who are struggling. They may be struggling with a mental illness, addiction or loneliness and helplessness. You never know what other people are actually going through”, stated Katie Koglman, CEO of United Way of Wayne and Holmes. “We live in one of the best communities in the country with generous and loving people. We also have people in our community who are hurting and need a helping hand. Now is the time to unite and show others love and to be the light.”

United Way of Wayne and Holmes is asking community members to consider a gift of any size to help them toward their goal. You can donate by calling the office at (330) 264-5576, mailing a gift to 215 S. Walnut Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691, by visiting: uwwh.org or by texting: GIVEHERE to 44-321.

The 2021 Campaign video, can be viewed at the following link:

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2025 Grant Application Available

By Kayley Cox • October 17, 2024

As part of the annual community grant funding each year, the 2025 Grant Applications through United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH) have now been made available. UWWH offers grant funding towards needs based requests. In the last decade, UWWH has granted over $14 Million to solving local issues through partnerships with local non-profits. The grant application window will be open from October 1, 2024 with applications due no later than end of business December 13, 2024. The grant application allows UWWH to directly assist local nonprofits in Holmes and Wayne Counties, directly working towards their mission to mobilize community resources while improving the lives of people in the community. Local community members assist in the review of completed grants as part of the “Investment Team” as volunteers and UWWH donors who review each grant application. Investment Team volunteers provide funding recommendations to the UWWH Board of Directors. United Way Wayne and Holmes aims to measurably improve the lives of residents in our community, often those who are employed, but still are income constrained. Four areas of focus guide UWWH in their mission to assist these community members: Health/Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment, Safety Net/Basic Needs, Workforce Development and Youth Development. Grant applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply: Be an organization meeting one of the following criteria: A 501(c)3 nonprofit currently registered with the Secretary of State of Ohio. A governmental organization, such as public education institution, voluntary associations, or faith-based community. Run by a volunteer Board of Directors, none of whom receives any remuneration from the organization. Currently be located within, and providing services in Wayne and/or Holmes Counties. A question-and-answer session on the application process will be held at UWWH located at 215 S. Walnut St., Wooster on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11 AM and again at 4 PM. Applicants are encouraged to attend. A virtual option is available, please call the office for details. The application deadline is 5 PM on the evening of December 13, 2024. Awards will be announced in March 2025. Organizations who have questions may contact United Way via email: info@uwwh.org or by phone: (330) 264-5576. Application is available at: uwwh.org or go to GET FUNDING .