United Way of Knox County approves grants to nonprofits with only minor reductions

MOUNT VERNON – The United Way of Knox County Board has approved $663,984 in grants to local nonprofit agencies.

The amount is a slight drop from last year, but considering all the challenges in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, it was encouraging that the community was still able to come close to last year’s funding, Executive Director Kelly Brenneman told the Mount Vernon News.

“The last year has been very challenging not only for United Way but for the agencies we fund,” Brenneman said. “A lot of these agencies also receive state grants. A lot of them have already received notices that their state funding is being cut.”

United Way also had to cut its own budget.

“We had to take a very close look at each individual agency and the services they provide, so that we could make the biggest impact we can with the money we have,” the director said.  

Last year, United Way issued about $719,000 in grants.

Agencies that made the list this year include Knox County Head Start, The Salvation Army, Interchurch Social Services of Knox County Inc. and New Directions Domestic Abuse Shelter of Knox County Inc.

“We have partnered with most of these agencies for years,” Brenneman said.

There was one new agency this year, Hospice of North Central Ohio, which received a $1,300 grant.

All things considered, it was a successful year for United Way, particularly when the pandemic put a stop to in-person fundraising events that are typically the hallmark of every campaign, Brenneman noted.

“We’re very pleased and very blessed that we had the success that we did,” she said. “Some of the agencies have been reduced a little, but not as much as it could have been.”

In addition to funding outside agencies, United Way also operates its own programs, such as one to help people complete their tax returns.

The organization’s administrative costs are about 11% of its budget, which Brenneman describes as “very low” for a nonprofit.

Funding for United Way comes from individuals who donate through campaigns at their workplaces and from local foundation grants.

“We could not do what we do without community support,” Brenneman said. “We would cease to exist. We’re extremely indebted to our community.”

The outlook for 2021 is still uncertain as the pandemic lingers.

“I have not planned any events yet for a campaign this fall,” she said. “I’m just waiting.”