Cape And Islands United Way Grants $85,000-Plus To Nonprofits

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Early last year, the Cape and Islands United Way established a new, two-year grant period, awarding more than 20 nonprofit partners funds that would be dispersed from July 2020 to June 2022.

Then, the pandemic hit, and every grantee suddenly had different choices to make. Funds originally allocated for specific programs and services now had to be used for PPE essentials, the expansion of mobile or online services, and sometimes, just to keep the doors open. 

In response, the Cape and Islands United Way has done several things to pivot, said President and CEO Mark Skala.

First, restrictions on fund usage and reporting requirements have been relaxed. Second, as long as the current partners have made a measurable impact with their 2020 grant proceeds, it will automatically be renewed for 2021. Third, grant payments originally scheduled for the end of March were released a month early.

“Given the current needs among our many collaborators, the board and staff felt an urgency to get that money distributed as soon as possible,” said Skala. “It wouldn’t have been possible to do that without our very generous donors who are committed to making an impact.”

More than $85,000 was awarded last month to organizations addressing key issues in the community around education, health, financial stability and housing. They include:

Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod

Behavioral Health Innovators

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands

Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod

Calmer Choice

Cape Cod Children’s Place

Cape Kids Meals

Catholic Social Services (Faith Family Kitchen)

Cape Cod Council of Churches

Community Health Center of Cape Cod

Duffy Health Center

Falmouth Service Center

Harbor Homes of Marthas Vineyard

Homeless Prevention Council

Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard

Housing Assistance Corporation

Independence House

Island Grown Initiative

Martha’s Vineyard  Boys and Girls Club

Nantucket Interfaith Council

Outer Cape Health Services

Sassafras Earth Education

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod

WE CAN

In addition, $130,000 has been distributed from the Cape and Islands United Way’s Community Response Fund. This fund was established to quickly support local nonprofits serving the community’s most basic human needs (food, housing and emergency services).  Donations to the CRF are accepted at capeandislandsuw.org.