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The United Way of Rockbridge is halfway to its 2022-2023 annual campaign goal of raising $250,000 and is celebrating with a new fundraiser.
“We are thrilled to have achieved this goal, but we are hearing from our funded organizations that the need in our community coming out of the pandemic has taken a sharp upturn,” said Jennifer L. Dent, executive director. “We expect a larger increase than usual in requested funds for our upcoming allocations process. It is critical that we reach 100% of our goal and we hope our community will continue to support our mission of improving the lives of families in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County, including for our hard-working ALICE (Asset-Limited Income Constrained Employed) families.”
Sidney Baker and Michael Stearns, owners of The Maury River Treehouse, a five star-rated AirBNB in Rockbridge Baths, have donated a weekend stay from Aug. 18 to Aug. 20, 2023, as a raffle prize to benefit United Way.
Only 300 tickets will be available for $25 each and are expected to sell quickly. Posters with a QR code for purchasing raffle tickets will be distributed to local businesses and tickets will be available through the United Way website and Facebook page.
The drawing for the winner will be held when all tickets have been sold or on July 3, whichever occurs first.
“We could not support so many nonprofit organizations in our community without the support of our small businesses, and we are grateful to Sidney and Michael for this opportunity to raise funds to support our mission,” said Dan Dickman, United Way board member, “This raffle is truly in the United Way spirit of ‘Local People Meeting Local Needs.’ Plus, we are including $100 towards dinner at a local restaurant of your choice, so this will be a really special weekend for the winner.”
United Way’s annual campaign launched August 2022 and runs through the end of July.
Funds raised support grants that are awarded to support local nonprofit organizations. In 2021-2022, a total of $203,000 was awarded to 20 nonprofits.
In a process unique to United Way, local community volunteers and board members are assigned to review each grant application and make written recommendations to the Allocations Committee.
“Our reviewing teams make this a very hands-on process. The relationships we create are an additional way to support the organizations making a difference in the lives of our community,” explained Dent.
Dent also noted that the application deadline for grant applications in 2023 has been shifted from February to June in an effort to better serve nonprofit funding cycles.
“If you know of an organization that may be eligible for a grant from the United Way, please encourage them to submit an application,” she said. “There are so many amazing nonprofits in our area and every dollar truly makes a difference.”
