The following is a release from the United Way:

Eleven local nonprofits will receive United Way funding in 2014 to help better serve the needs of Snohomish County residents living in intergenerational poverty.

United Way, often known for grants addressing immediate community needs, also focuses on systemic issues by bringing people together from across the community to address long-term needs. These capacity building grants represent a new approach to strengthening the nonprofit community in Snohomish County.

“All of us value our new partnership with United Way of Snohomish County,” said Gylan Green, executive director of Washington C.A.S.H. “We very much appreciate this capacity building grant, which will help us to advance our work with the Latino community in Snohomish County in some very important ways.”

United Way will also provide technical support, training and opportunities for grant recipients to collaboratively identify solutions to common problems. Funding for capacity building projects like software development and staff training will eventually help more Snohomish County families escape intergenerational poverty.

“Our goal is to strengthen our community,” said Dennis G. Smith, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County. “This funding will help almost a dozen nonprofits better serve their clients for years to come, providing the basics such as food, shelter and safety.”

Recipients of the funding are taking a variety of approaches to long-term capacity building:

• Community Resources Foundation in Stanwood will use their $8,000 to increase their volunteer coordinator’s hours in order to help ramp up their volunteer base.
• Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County will use their $10,902 to help with an ongoing strategic planning process as they manage their move from a 15-bed shelter to a 52-bed facility.
• Hand in Hand will use their $5,080 grant to launch a multi-agency volunteer recruitment program, helping several groups working with children in need increase their volunteer base.
• Lake Stevens Senior Center will use their $5,865 to hire a part-time cook to serve lunch mid-week. They are currently serving lunch only on Fridays.
• Latino Education and Training Institute will use their $8,000 toward funding a part-time employee that can work with a wider range of community colleges and seek additional grants.
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest will use their $15,000 to upgrade their data management system for more accurate reporting and evaluation of participant and outcome data. The system will also free up staff time to provide more direct services.
• North Counties Family Services in Darrington, which recently received 501(c)3 status, will use their $8,000 for basic infrastructure improvements and training for staff so they can meet federal financial obligations.
• Safe Harbor Free Clinic in Stanwood will use their $7,055 to train their staff on financial management and contract with a professional grant writer.
• Take the Next Step in Monroe will use their $8,000 to help pay for a part-time development and community outreach coordinator who will explore grant opportunities and raise awareness about the nonprofit’s work in the Sky Valley.
• Washington C.A.S.H. will use their $15,000 to hire a Latino Program Assistant to help build sustainable business ideas from low-income, Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
• YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish will use their $11,978 to hire a part-time staff person to meet reporting requirements and regulations associated with mental health counseling.

Funding decisions were made by volunteers who serve on United Way committees that focus on helping children and youth achieve their potential, helping Snohomish county families achieve and maintain financial stability, strengthening community support systems and reducing isolation.

The volunteers, some of whom helped determine where the organization would invest $7.9 million over the next three years in program grants earlier this year, based their decisions on a variety of factors, including each agency’s need and readiness for capacity building, whether each agency is currently working to reduce poverty and whether investment in each project is deemed the best possible use of resources for the greatest impact.

United Way will be announcing the next round of capacity building funding for groups working to alleviate intergenerational poverty in August 2014, and plans to distribute up to $110,000 a year for the next three years.