Western Wisconsin United Way Announces Local Grant Approvals

Some Western Wisconsin nonprofits will receive a funding boost thanks to a grant program from United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys.

Over the summer, the United Way of St. Croix Valley and Dunn County United Way announced a merger to become United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys. When announcing the merger, officials said the newly unified organization would be able to streamline their operations in the Western Wisconsin region, covering Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties.

Officials also said the merged organization will allow them to maximize the donations they receive and pool the strengths and resources from both original organizations to provide assistance in the most efficient way possible.

According to a Menomonie Minute report, one of the first major projects of the combined organization is already underway. United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys has announced the approval of $50,000 in Community Impact Grant funding for local nonprofits in the Dunn and Pepin County areas that assist asset limited, income constrained, employed families, which they call “ALICE” families. While those families do have income, they often earn just above the federal poverty level but not enough to stay ahead on bills, limiting their options for financial assistance.

United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys typically partners with local nonprofits for the Community Impact Grants due to their hands-on experience working with the struggling residents their own communities.

The nonprofit recipients of the grant funding have already been chosen, and officials expect to disburse the funding by the end of the year. The goal of the Community Impact Grants is to ensure all residents have access to the resources they need to improve their financial stability, health, and education.