Press release
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Friday, August 9, 2024 – The United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is evolving its funding model strategy today to maintain vital support to the community tomorrow. United Way has evolved its Community Impact Fund—the organization’s funding vehicle–to support more organizations across the six-county region with its classic multi-year grants and new one-year funding opportunities.
“For over 100 years, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has been addressing our region’s immediate needs and developing long-term solutions to profound community challenges,” United Way of Greater Rochester of the Finger Lakes President & CEO Jaime Saunders said. “Through our community crises, disasters, economic hardships, everyday challenges—United Way is there. That is what we do, and we will continue to do well into the future. To ensure we are here as a viable organization, this evolution is a necessary change and one that allows us to meet the complex needs of the community with more flexibility.”
As guided by United Way Worldwide, changes in the giving and workplace landscape, and compounded post-pandemic challenges, United Way’s Community Impact Fund evolution includes changes to the funds available for its classic multi-year grants.
Nearly $30 million was requested in funding from 279 program applications for the United Way’s classic 2025 multi-year grants. The volume of applications was one of the highest in United Way’s history. United Way has announced it will provide nearly $6 million in multi-year grants to 97 nonprofit partner programs. Since 2020, United Way has committed over $45.6 million in multi-year grants to approximately 200 nonprofit partner programs.
“Our diversified and refined strategy is a significant change that affects many organizations in a big way, and that’s not lost on us,” Saunders said. “United Way is providing $2 million in one-time bridge support for current Community Impact Fund partners as we work to realign and support the best path forward for our nonprofit sector.”
The Community Impact Fund now aims to strategically utilize campaign funds to support various fund opportunities and resources across our region.
Fifty-five percent of the funds raised for the Community Impact Fund will power the multi-year program grant. The remaining funding mechanism is diversified: through five one-time grants, community responsiveness funds, resources like Volunteer United, ROC the Day, Day of Caring, and Leadership Development Programs.
Additional changes to United Way’s Community Impact Fund includes four new impact areas, as guided by United Way Worldwide. Each impact area has its distinct contributions for our region’s goodwill. However, all impact areas collectively work together for the betterment of individuals, families, and other communities.
The impact areas are:
- Youth Opportunity
- Financial Security
- Healthy Community
- Community Resiliency
The full list of 2025 multi-year funded partners will be announced early next week.
The more support United Way and the Community Impact Fund receive from the community, the more support United Way can provide the nonprofit sector. To learn more about how you can support United Way’s 2024 campaign, visit unitedwayrocflx.org/donate.