Seven local, grassroots organizations will receive United Way of Dane County grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, totaling $25,000, to further their work in reducing racial disparities, engaging community members and bringing equity for all.
United Way offered $25,000 to small organizations that are working in the areas of equity, social justice, community organizing and volunteer management with the goal to broaden support to community and neighborhood-based groups beyond our traditional nonprofit partners. When this process began in July, 49 organizations submitted more than $232,000 in requests. United Way’s Community Engagement Capacity Building Team (CE CBT) deliberated each proposal and awarded $25,000 to seven different organizations, which can now widen their impact with these one-time grants:
◆ DSS Community Center – Brentwood Neighborhood $4,000 – Educate residents about governing processes and encourage participation in leadership roles
– Connect residents with local leaders
◆ Academic Learning Center South $4,000
– Increase volunteer tutors in learning center’s classrooms
– Create framework for tutors, so they are better able to support students in reading, writing and math
◆ Young, Gifted and Black Coalition $4,000
– Engage Madison’s Black community in social justice issues
– Conduct needs assessment, including town hall meetings, so YGB can become more program-based
◆ Voces de la Frontera $4,000
– Grow presence in Madison with other organizations that serve Latinos and immigrants in Dane County
– Deepen solidarity between different oppressed groups
◆ Centro Hispano $3,500
– Organize two-day conference where Latino high schoolers will collaborate and share experiences and perspectives on issues affect them.
◆ Southside Raiders Football & Cheerleading $3,500
– Recruit volunteers to support Raider community events and other Penn Park activities
– Increase support from local businesses for organization
◆ Infamous Mothers $2,000
– Disrupt the stereotypes around Black mothering
– Revolutionize mothering through educational materials and speaking engagements with the community
“Equity and social justice are among the most pressing issues our community faces today. These seven grassroots organizations are passionate about these areas and have the know- how on organizing the community and engaging volunteers,” said Nolan Brown, Co-Chair of United Way’s Community Engagement Capacity Building Team. “Our team of United Way volunteers believes these organizations can create a tremendous amount of change in our community and we are grateful to each organization for their critical work.”
The CE CBT is committed to engaging diverse individuals to gain leadership skills, involving the community to understand needs and create results, while also celebrating the impact that volunteers have in Dane County.
