Timely Grant Program
Traditional Agency Partnerships and Community Investments are required to follow a standardized and well-practiced process. Applications are submitted nearly a year in advanced of release of program funds. This process demands careful planning and stability in program investments and yields strong agency partnerships and robust programs. However, at United Way, we recognize that this funding model does not fit every program.
United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. Timely Grant process makes resources available to meet these immediate demands in an expedited process since 2018. The Community Investment Agenda includes a budget reserve to apply to these timely projects.
Knox County Career Navigator- Initiated by WorkDev, the Career Navigator is sponsored by United Way, the Knox County Foundation, the Education Service Center, Area Development Foundation, and local schools. The Career Navigator offers career development services to high school students and connects them to business and industry partners in Manufacturing and Healthcare. The program engages Knox County’s future workforce in a variety of community-based experiences to expand their awareness of local career and education options. United Way invested $10,000 in the 2022-2023 school year.
Family and Children First Council- (FCFC) Community Team Intentional Funding Program - The mission of the FCFC Community Team is to develop and facilitate comprehensive, family centered, and creative solutions through multi-agency collaboration for families in need. In 2021, United Way invested $8,000 into this program in order to help provide these solutions for youth and families who do not meet criteria for FCFC Community Team, but still need services and supports. Requests have included help with camps, transportation, memberships, and safety equipment and has helped the FCFC reach more multi-need families in Knox County.
Medical Necessity Snow Removal Program- United Way invested $1,000 in Mobility Management’s snow removal program in 2022. This program allows older adults and individuals with disabilities to be able to better access Knox Area Transit in order to get to medically necessary appointments. The removal of snow at these residences allows for ease of access for both the KAT busses and individuals leaving their homes. Increased access to transportation allows for better access to healthcare and reduced stress for the those served by this program.
United Way introduced a new online platform to amplify volunteer engagement and impact. Volunteer Knox is a web-based system through which nonprofits and other agencies may post their volunteer opportunities, special events, and engagement activities in hopes of increasing the variety of ways for individuals to get involved. In its first year, 32 agencies registered with Volunteer Knox through United Way and posted over 30 service opportunities, both in the form of one-time events and on-going service projects.
With increased visibility and easy ways to sign-up, United Way of Knox County's new platform has made volunteer opportunities more accessible to the community. Strong relationships between committed volunteers and organizations will ensure that Knox County's service sector will be active for years to come. Volunteers can visit VolunteerKnox.com to view and sign up for volunteer opportunities in Knox County.
Volunteer Knox also aligns with State-wide efforts. ServeOhio, the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is the administrator of Ohio’s “Get Connected” volunteer engagement resource. ServeOhio awarded grant funding to United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc to support the project.