PHOTOS COURTESY UNITED WAY
Representatives from local nonprofits pose with their grant awards at a recent United Way reception.
DENNIS – The Cape and Islands United Way awarded over $610,000 to 39 local non-profits during a reception at the Cape Cod Museum of Art earlier this week.
Calmer Choice, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the YMCA of Cape Cod were among the organizations honored with grants.
Barbara Milligan, President and CEO of the Cape and Islands United Way, said that the $610,000 in grants is a record for her organization.
“That’s actually the single largest award we’ve ever made historically in a grant round so we’re very excited to break a record,” said Milligan.
The Cape and Islands United Way is hoping to grow their campaign to $2 million by their 60th anniversary in 2020.
“We have big hopes, $2 million. We’ve set it. We’re going to go for it, and we really think we can do it and have an impact on the community,” said Milligan.
COURTESY UNITED WAY
United Way President and CEO Barbara Milligan and Richard Brothers at the recent United Way reception.
The Cape and Islands United Way focused on Cape Cod’s youth, families, aging and vulnerable populations in this year’s grant awards. Local business leaders, philanthropists, community investment volunteers, funders, donors and United Way nonprofit partners attended the event at the museum.
In total, $610,000 in grants was awarded to 39 nonprofit partners and 48 of their projects within three categories:
Aging and Vulnerable Populations category awarded 17 programs a total of $210,000.
Nurturing and Protecting Children and Youth category awarded 19 programs a total of $249,000.
Sustaining Families category awarded 12 programs a total of $160,000.
“These funds will help to directly impact the lives of thousands on the Cape,” stated Brian Griffin, chairperson of the Cape and Islands United Way. “Whether it is serving those challenged with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, funding food pantries, or supporting therapeutic services for child survivors of domestic violence, the spectrum is wide and the impact is significant. These partners and their programs exemplify our mission which, in part, is to improve the human condition of Cape Cod residents through the responsible development and deployment of financial, human and collaborative resources for the quality of life of current and future generations.”
Also last night, the Cape and Islands United Way gave out awards at the reception. David Troutman, Board Chairman of Calmer Choice received the Ron Reed Award for Outstanding Board Member, Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) received the Grant and Helene Wilson Award for Excellence, and 14-year old Gabby Gould, a student at Barnstable High School, was awarded the United Way Youth Leadership Award.
In her comments to the audience last night, Barbara Milligan, President & CEO of the Cape and Islands United Way stated, “We are honored to be able to distribute $610,000 this year which is the most money we have ever distributed in a single grant round. The needs on the Cape are great and growing. In order to meet those needs we are taking on the challenge of growing our campaign to $2 million by our 60th anniversary in 2020. We are on a journey to shift from community investment, to community impact to bring about lasting change.”
In 2016, the Cape & Islands United Way’s three key initiatives will be in the areas of education, health and financial stability.
