The mission of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is to mobilize the community to assist every individual and family improve their lives through a community-wide social movement. This involves mobilizing thousands to volunteer, advocate, and give, connecting all sectors of the community to create long-term social change for well-educated, financially stable, and healthy individuals and families. They aim to raise, invest, and leverage $1.45 million annually in philanthropic contributions to support innovative programs and approaches for sustained community impact, with accountability measures focused on Academic Success, Health & Independence, a Ready Workforce, and Self Sufficiency.
The grant program administered by United Way of Southern Chautauqua County focuses on funding programs that align with their strategic aims: improving academic success from cradle to career, enhancing the health and independence of vulnerable populations, increasing the workforce readiness by addressing skill gaps among youths and adults, and boosting the number of families capable of self-sufficiency. For the 2022-2024 funding cycle, the minimum funding request is set at $7,500, with past awards ranging from $1,500 to $116,000. The geographic focus is specifically Southern Chautauqua County, with eligibility detailed by specific zip codes available from the organization's RFP or direct contact.