United Way of the Florida Keys is excited to share it will distribute a total of $185,000 in grants to local nonprofit agencies in 2017-18.

15 programs have been identified so far for funding through UWFK’s traditional funding process in one of three United Way focus areas: access to nutritious food for people in critical need; early childhood or after-school care with an educational or positive behavioral component; or safety net services, including information and referral or short-term emergency response.

In addition to distributing $155,000 in grant allocations, UWFK is also releasing a request for proposals to organizations offering comprehensive after school and out of school time care in support of working families. This additional $30,000 investment in community support will help organizations serving children through all areas of the Keys.

Current 2017/2018 grant recipients providing access to nutritious food include:

• Star of the Sea Outreach Mission– $30,000 for a Keys-wide food distribution program
• Keys Area Interdenominational Resources (KAIR)– $15,000 for the food pantry in Marathon
• Florida Keys Children’s Shelter– $15,000 for food at the children’s shelters in Tavernier and Key West
• Florida Keys Outreach Coalition– $10,000 for the Loaves and Fishes food pantry and residential meal program in Key West
• Wesley House– $10,000 for the Inez Martin Nutritional Backpack Program in Key West
• Independence Cay– $10,000 for the soup kitchen in Marathon
• Monroe Association for ReMarcable Citizens– $7,000 for the Food and Individual Training program throughout the Keys
• Metropolitan Community Church– $6,000 for food for home-bound seniors in Key West
• Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition– $6,000 for supplemental nutrition for children and infants throughout the Keys

Current 2017/2018 grant recipients providing early childhood or after-school care include: 

• Marathon Recreation Center– $15,000 for after school care in Marathon
• Bahama Village Music Program– $10,000 for after school music education in Key West
• Southernmost Boys and Girls Club–$5,000 for after school programming in Key West
• Marathon Lutheran Church– $5,000 for after school scholarships in Marathon
• Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition– $5,000 for a pregnancy and early childhood education program throughout the Keys

Current 2017/2018 grant recipients providing safety net services:

• Florida Keys Outreach Coalition–$6,000 for “Quick Assist” emergency aid and referral in the Upper Keys

The 2017-18 grant recipients funded through the traditional allocation process were selected based on a scores calculated from a rubric submitted by United Way board members and community volunteers who reviewed applications and visited agencies in each region of the Keys. Rubrics rate agencies based on organizational capacity, budget, strength of program outcomes, and use of leverage and volunteers.

Site visit volunteer Amy Heavilin, said of the experience, “These are great organizations applying for local funding from United Way and I would like to commend UWFK on their approach of evaluating the applicants in such a thorough manner. The questions and concerns raised by the volunteers are very informative. It is an absolute pleasure to meet our local non-profits and see the great work they do each year helping our community.”

UWFK is incredibly thankful to the community volunteers who spent time reviewing potential grant applicants and to all the agencies that applied for United Way funding! We look forward to seeing the successes of their good work.

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About United Way of the Florida Keys:

United Way of the Florida Keys is an independent, local 501(c)(3) organization that has been supporting the Keys community for more than 30 years. UWFK supports strong working families and funds nonprofits that provide critical services to Keys residents. Money raised in the Keys stays in the Keys.

United Way also plays a unique role in convening businesses, nonprofits and government to work together to address community needs. For more information, visit our website: www.keysunitedway.org  or call (305) 735-1929.  Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.