At United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley (UWGCV), our vision is to make an impact on complex problems by reducing need and increasing quality of life for Chippewa Valley residents. UWGCV believes it takes collective community actions sustained over time to achieve outcomes and make a lasting impact. We invest in a foundation of strong, viable programs, mobilize volunteers to address community needs, and fight each day for the health, education, and financial stability of Chippewa Valley residents.
One way in which UWGCV invests in the community is through grant allocations. As part of the grant cycle, fifty programs submitted grant applications requesting a cumulative total of over $2,000,000 of funding per year. Local volunteers spent hundreds of hours reviewing applications to determine how best to serve the nearly 40% of the population that live at or below the ALICE threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties.
The UWGCV board of directors voted to approve grant allocations totalling $1 million dollars per year for the next three years. The 21 programs receiving funding closely align with United Way’s four priority areas of focus:
Health- emphasizing prevention and intervention programs to improve the mental health of Chippewa Valley residents.
Education- focusing on early childhood development to ensure school readiness.
Financial Stability- addressing financial literacy, debt management, and career mobility.
Basic Needs- ensuring access to food, shelter/housing, and medical services.
UWGCV’s impact goes beyond grant funding. Board members and advisory councils look broadly at our work and help create, inform, and evaluate action plans. These plans outline how we invest staff time, volunteer mobilization, and money for strategic initiatives.
Thank you! Your investment in UWGCV makes the Chippewa Valley Stronger.