When people come together to give—whether it’s time, money, or compassion—they do more than meet an immediate need. They help build a stronger, more connected community that can weather life’s challenges together.
Community Partner information:
Purpose
- Bridge urgent gaps for families in crisis when other supports fall short.
- Strengthen our community network by giving front-line partners timely resources to meet rising needs.
- Show that generosity builds resilience—every act of giving ripples outward, helping not just one family, but our whole region.
Focus Areas
Our goal is to raise and deploy at least $10,000 by December 2, all funds raised will go directly to three urgent areas of need:
- Housing & Utilities: Preventing eviction, homelessness, or utility shut-offs—keeping families safe and secure in their homes.
- Food & Supplies: Ensuring families have access to groceries, meals, and essential hygiene items that preserve dignity and well-being.
- Health & Well-Being: Helping households cover prescriptions, medical care, and basic wellness needs to stay healthy and strong.
Partner Coordination & Eligibility
Over the summer, United Way began working with partners to identify the greatest local needs and where existing programs can respond most effectively. This ongoing coordination helps us stay responsive and ensures that funding decisions are fair, transparent, and focused where help is needed most.
Our goal is to raise and deploy at least the first $5,000 in community donations by November 14, allowing partners to respond quickly to families’ most urgent housing, food, and health needs. A second round of funding will follow by December 5, depending on community response.
Funding will begin with organizations that already have a financial relationship with United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge—trusted partners vetted through our Community Investment process. If funds allow, eligibility may expand to additional 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities providing direct assistance within our service area.
All partners must be able to deploy funds immediately and provide brief updates on how funds were used within 30 days.
Fund Distribution
- Awards range from $500 – $2,000 depending on need and availability.
- 100% of donations stay local and every dollar goes where it’s needed most. Donors have the opportunity to cover the technology cost through their gift.
- Funds remaining after the federal government reopens will transition into UWVBR’s Impact Fund to continue addressing the greatest needs in our community as they arise.
- Transparency matters: regular updates will share dollars raised, partners supported, and families helped.