United Way announces 2016 program grants

Posted on May 6, 2016

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The United Way of McLean County has announced local programs it will be providing funding to this year.

64 programs run by 30 organizations are being funded, according to United Way CEO David Taylor.

“Last year, we funded 63 programs with 31 agencies,” said Taylor. “So we actually saw an increase in the number of programs being funded this year.”

Taylor added it’s not an easy process deciding which programs to fund.

“As they go through this process they’re looking at, is there a documented and critical community need? And is it then addressed effectively,” he said.

Volunteers spent 1,400 hours going over applications and deciding which programs to provide funding too.

Taylor said the process was made more difficult this year because the United Way did not reach its fundraising goal during the annual campaign. In fact, three longtime partner programs will not be getting funding: Bloomington-Normal YMCA’s Youth Fitness Intervention, Boy Scouts Life Skills 101, and Girls Scouts Leadership Experience Outreach.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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