Shawnee, OK — The United Way of Pottawatomie County announced that $248,750 was granted to 23 local partner agencies on July 15. The funds came from the 2023 annual campaign, supported by community events, individual contributions, and corporate employee giving programs.
To qualify for funding, agencies must serve Pottawatomie, Lincoln, or Seminole County residents, align programming with UWPC impact areas, complete annual third-party audits, and maintain 501(c)(3) status.
Allocations included Community Market of Pottawatomie County ($25,000), Project: SAFE ($25,000), Legacy Parenting Center ($20,000), and Volunteer Health Center of Pottawatomie ($20,000), among 23 organizations total.
Two new partner agencies joined that year: Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma and Pioneer Library System. The Allocations Committee, composed of board and community volunteers, reviewed applications, conducted agency tours, and presented recommendations to the board in June.
“We are so grateful to be selected as a United Way partner,” noted the Child Advocacy Center’s executive director, emphasizing the community’s commitment to child safety.
Executive Director Sandy Vanderburg highlighted that despite April’s tornado disrupting operations, the organization prioritized completing allocations before the fiscal year’s end.
UWPC also announced its August 29 Kickoff Cookoff fundraiser at Gordon Cooper Technology Center, featuring local chili entries with $10 per-person donations requested.