(Canton, OH) Mar.11, 2010 –The United Way of Greater Stark County Board of Directors voted yesterday to approve investments into 99 health and human service programs through 39 service providers county-wide. The 2010-11 grant allocations represent the second year of a two-year funding cycle. Service providers have been notified of their program allocation.

A total of $4,555,033 was allocated to greater Stark County programs. Funding was recommended by an all-volunteer citizen review and approval process involving 120 volunteers who devoted 2,477 hours to ensure criteria including how closely the program aligned with United Way’s outcome standards and service providers’ ability to deliver services, were met.

“We are very fortunate this year,” said Scott Zurakowski, United Way of Greater Stark County board chairman. “United Way’s board of directors were able to keep second year allocations relatively the same as last year, despite reduced resources. Our volunteers are fully committed to fund the best programs creating long-lasting change with measurable results.” Campaign projections are currently at $6,720,000. The campaign will officially close at the end of United Way’s fiscal year on Mar. 31.

Beginning in January, three United Way all-volunteer community impact councils, comprised of community and issue experts examined second year requests for program alignment and measurable outcomes, reviewed agencies, researched community data and made allocation recommendations to United Way of Greater Stark County’s board of directors. For a comprehensive listing of approved county-wide funding allocations, please visit http://www.uwstark.org/.

“Our impact council volunteers have put in many, many hours into the citizen review process and we are very grateful,” said United Way of Greater Stark County president and CEO Maria Heege. “Donors are counting on us to make prudent and wise investments with their hard-earned dollars, especially during these tough times. Heege added, “And to further community resources, United Way will continue to work as a convener, inviting other funders and key stakeholders to collaborate on the best way to get help to the neediest people in our community.”

Donations are still being accepted at United Way. Contact the campaign department at 330-491-0445 or online by visiting http://www.uwstark.org/ and clicking on GIVE.

United Way of Greater Stark County is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways by mobilizing thousands of people around a common goal: advancing the common good. United Way funds programs that focus on Early Education & Care, Graduation & Training and Family Stability. United Way believes these are the building blocks for a good life and that a quality education leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, a safe place to live and good health.

For more information about United Way visit http://www.uwstark.org/. Headquarters are at 4825 Higbee Avenue NW, Suite 101, Canton, Ohio 44718. Dial (330) 491-0445 to reach the offices.

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  Click here to view the 2009-2011 Allocations.