DANBURY AREA

UNITED WAY OFFERING COVID-19 RELIEF GRANTS TO STRUGGLING NONPROFITS

The United Way of Western Connecticut is extending funding to nonprofits struggling with COVID-19-related expenses.

The organization will offer a round of COVID-19 relief grants to other groups in the Danbury and New Milford areas, as well as Stamford, a United Way news release said.

“It has been a hard year for us all, but it has been an exceptionally difficult year for the nonprofit community,” United Way of Western Connecticut President Isabel Almeida said.

“Not only are our community agencies dealing with a steep increase in demand for their services, they have often needed to totally change the way they deliver services — all while having to cancel fundraisers and cope without volunteers they depend on,” she added.

Interested applicants must show an increased demand for their help with essential services during the pandemic. “Critical services” such as housing, food and child care support, in addition to mental and physical health services, will be given priority, according to the release.

Agencies of all sizes struggling to maintain their operations — even groups that have not received United Way funding in the past — are also eligible to apply as long as they serve one of the United Way of Western Connecticut’s 15 communities.

The grants are meant to “provide funding for increased staff, technology, improved service delivery or strategic planning,” and nonprofits can request up to $20,000.

All applications are due by March 31 for review by United Way staff, and the final funding decisions are to be announced on June 1.

The request for proposal can be found at online at the United Way website at bit.ly/3c7z908 and those interested in learning more can contact Vice President of Community Impact Casey Levene via email at casey.levene@uwwesternct.org or by calling 203-297-6246.