The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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February 22, 2012

Grant funding available to nonprofits

By James Neal, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma is offering $30,000 in grant funding to area nonprofits.

The money is being offered through United Way’s Venture Grant program, and is in addition to the annual funds allocated to the 16 United Way member agencies.

“We will be allocating over $30,000 this year for Venture Grants targeting measurable, identified social service needs in the community,” said United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma Executive Director Sean Byrne.

He said the $30,000 in grant funding is provided by local donations. Of the total, $3,000 was raised through the Grown-Up Prom event, and is earmarked for programs targeting suicide or bullying prevention and intervention.  

All nonprofit human service organizations in Grant, Garfield, Major, Alfalfa and Kingfisher counties are eligible to apply for the Venture Grant funds. Grant applications must include measurable indicators of a specific need in the community and how grant funding would be used to address that need.

“Funding is getting tighter and tighter,” Byrne said. “We need to make sure programs that are being conducted are effective in actually creating sustainable change. We want applicants that can show there is a true need in the community, and they have the capacity to address that need.

“Applications that address the underlying causes of a problem, and those that will impact the largest number of individuals are strongly encouraged,” Byrne said. “We don’t want to put Band-Aids on issues. We want to see lasting changes in individuals and communities.”

Nonprofits need not be a United Way member agency in order to apply for Venture Grant funds.

The due date for Venture Grant applications is April 2. Grant forms can be downloaded through the United Way website at www.united wayenid.org/grants.

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