For first time since COVID hit, United Way of North Central Ohio exceeds campaign goal

Submitted
·2 min read
United Way of North Central Ohio Executive Director Amber Wertman presents an award thanking Timken for its support as a top community campaign corporate donor
United Way of North Central Ohio Executive Director Amber Wertman presents an award thanking Timken for its support as a top community campaign corporate donor

After two years of struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Way of North Central Ohio has exceeded its fundraising goal.

According to a news release from the organization, which serves Crawford, Marion and Wyandot counties, the annual campaign finished at 103% of goal.

The campaign goal was $650,000, Laura Weir, communications manager, said earlier this year.

"Thanks to the generosity of 1,219 individual donors and 148 workplace campaigns, UWNCO is prepared to continue funding Bold Goal programs in Crawford, Marion, and Wyandot counties through 2023," according to the news release. "They will also be able to facilitate and fund new collaborative programs working to find solutions to regional challenges in housing, transportation, childcare and more. Some funds will be held in reserve for emergency and small grant distribution throughout the funding cycle."

The organization had not met an annual campaign goal since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.

“The community has really rallied for United Way this year. I feel like the changes we’ve made in the way our organization operates are working, and that our partners and donors are seeing that,” said Amber Wertman, executive director. “We’ve made a commitment to RBA (Results-Based Accountability) and I think corporate donors in particular appreciate our use of data and accountability in making funding decisions.”

Wertman and Leslie Schneider, resource development director, recently distributed plaques to top corporate donors and workplace campaign participants, thanking them for their continued support of United Way and the community.

Recipients included Stiger Precast, Inc.; Trigo, Inc.; Whirlpool Corporation; Ohio Mutual Insurance Group; Nucor Steel; Timken; Honda of America; Park National Bank; Sims Brothers; First Citizens National Bank; Kimmel Corporation; United Church Homes; Firelands Federal Credit Union; Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.; Tri-Rivers Career Center; Premier Bank (Marion); Community Counseling & Wellness Center; Dostal & Kirk; Fox Plumbing & Heating; Alluvial Private Wealth; Wyandot Memorial Hospital; Premier Bank (Upper Sandusky); and Civista Bank. A full list of all community campaign corporate donors is available at unitedwaynco.org under "recent news."

Grant awards will be announced in August

In May, local nonprofits and community collaborative organizations submitted applications for program funding for the United Way's funding cycle beginning in July, according to the news release. Applications were reviewed and scored by a Community Impact Cabinet that includes a diverse group of local volunteers, and a final allocation decision was made by the board of directors. Grant awards will be announced in early August. A list of funded programs will be posted at unitedwaynco.org.

The United Way will celebrate the successful end of the campaign and launch its new community campaign at an open house event from 5 to 7 p.m. July 15 at 1803 Brewery and Taproom in Galion. All United Way donors, supporters, partners, and friends are welcome to attend. Other open houses are planned in Marion and Upper Sandusky.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: United Way of North Central Ohio exceeds campaign goal