United Way Hosts Grant Meetings For Nonprofits

Members of the United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee are holding their annual meeting all week at Los Alamos National Bank with nonprofit organizations seeking funding for their programs. During Monday’s meetings, Los Alamos Family YMCA CEO Linda Daly discusses the various programs the Y provides to the community and surrounding area. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

First Born Program of Los Alamos representatives at far end of table from left, Cathleen Hewlett-Masser, Kim Fergusen and Molly McBranch discuss their program with the United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee Monday at LANB. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM) is hosting its annual Community Action Fund Grant Committee meetings this week with nonprofit organizations seeking funding for their programs.

UWNNM received requests from 37 nonprofits and the Grant Committee is meeting with the 20 organizations seeking more than $10,000 in funding. The committee has $600,000 in funds to distribute this year for requests of more than $1 million.

The 2015 Community Action Fund Grant process began March,16 with the release of a Request for Proposals.

The Community Action Fund tackles the most pressing challenges in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba Counties and UWNNM utilizes research done for community health profiles to measure where the most resources are needed. An estimated 18 percent of the population in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba county were impacted by programs and non-profits funded last year by the UWNNM Community Action Fund.

This past year UWNNM has been working with the health councils, public schools and other community minded organizations in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba to stay up to date with the most pressing needs in the community. Through engagement with individuals, organizations and business, United Way is able to spot and fill gaps within the community.

United Way’s Community Action Fund focuses on filling these gaps by providing resources to non-profits who are experts in their field to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.  UWNNM supports collaborations with other organizations and has led local efforts to start up programs that help better the community.

The grant process is always difficult because each of the organizations are providing important services but there is just so much money to go around.

The meetings with nonprofits will continue through Thursday and the committee will gather Friday to discuss funding distributions.

Lorraine Hartway and Phil Gursky of the Heart Council of Los Alamos discuss their programs such as the annual Health Fair with members of the United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

United Way Board Chair Stephen Boerigter, left, with representatives of Las Cumbres from left, Delfinia Romero, Erica Sepulveda and Rex Davidson discussing their program Monday at LANB. Not pictured is Rosita Rodriguez. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Self Help, Inc., Executive Director Ellen Morris Bond, left, and Board Member Debbie Gill talk about their program today at LANB with members of the United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Kristen Rortvedt, left, and Sarah Newman of Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico meeting today with members of the United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee to discuss their program and the need for additional funding. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Representatives from the New Mexico Dental Foundation Association, from left, Trish Rule, Linda Paul and local Dentist Art Montoya, discuss the program they provide to people in pain from dental problems that they cannot afford to have treated and other dental programs for people in need, with members of the United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee today at LANB. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

During today’s United Way Community Action Fund Grant Committee meeting at LANB, April Wade, left, and Maureen Connolly of Little Forest Playschool discuss the need for funding for scholarships to help families in need send their children to the school. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

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