The United Way of the Ohio Valley awarded $425,773 to 15 longtime nonprofit partners Friday, recognizing organizations that provide essential services across the region while emphasizing a broader commitment to collaboration beyond grant funding.
The awards represent the organization’s annual Legacy Partner grant cycle, which supports nonprofits that have historically received United Way funding — some dating back to the organization’s founding 76 years ago.
“This is really a celebration of partnership,” said Vikki Embry, United Way’s director of community impact. “We want to focus on our partnership with them, not just as a funder, but in all the other ways we work together alongside our donors, employers, corporations, and the community to help these organizations continue their missions.”
Embry said the Legacy Partner program remains limited to established partner agencies, while a separate Impact Grant cycle allows other nonprofits to apply for funding in targeted community priorities.
Those priorities include affordable housing, homelessness prevention and intervention, and financial mobility.
“Years ago, all of our campaign dollars went to our legacy partners,” Embry said. “As community needs evolved, we realized there were other areas where we could make an impact. We looked at community needs assessments, talked with stakeholders and elected officials, and created a second funding cycle focused on those priorities.”
In addition to the Legacy Partner grants, United Way plans to award approximately $279,000 through its Impact Grant program later this year.
Paula Yevincy, president and CEO of United Way of the Ohio Valley, said the funding is made possible through workplace giving campaigns, corporate contributions, individual donors, and local foundations.
“We’re very fortunate that our campaign was up this year,” Yevincy said. “That was largely due to the support of our businesses and corporations here in Daviess County. Sometimes those companies even match employee contributions, and that makes a tremendous difference.”
Yevincy said the grant dollars reflect the community’s trust in United Way and the nonprofit organizations it supports.
“No money, no mission,” she said. “But what’s really important is the trust this community places in all of us.”
While recognizing the financial investment, both Embry and Yevincy stressed that United Way is working to expand its role beyond simply distributing grants.
“We don’t believe our United Way is just a funder,” Yevincy said. “We are a true partner.”
She said the organization has worked alongside nonprofits during organizational challenges, helped educate the public about local services, provided grant-writing assistance, and expanded professional development opportunities, including artificial intelligence training for nonprofit staff.
“We’ve asked ourselves, ‘What else can we do to help nonprofits be successful?’” Yevincy said. “Because when you’re successful, our community is successful.”
Among the organizations benefiting from the partnership is the Owensboro Family YMCA, where grant funding is helping expand infant child care.
“When we went to expand our child care and add additional infant rooms, the amount of money that you lose in infant rooms, United Way has stepped up and really has allowed us to add an additional infant room,” YMCA CEO Tom Bontrager said. “That means we can have 10 more infants at the Y.”
Bontrager said the expansion aligns with United Way’s emphasis on financial stability.
“What’s more financially stable than for someone to be able to go to work and know their child is in safe, high-quality child care?” he said.
Representatives from recipient agencies said the grants provide more than financial support.
“The financial benefit is clearly impactful,” said Darren Peach of the Opportunity Center. “But the allocation is equally important because it represents a partnership with the community and confirms the value of our mission.”
Yevincy acknowledged that nonprofits continue to face uncertainty, including concerns about the economy and potential Medicaid funding reductions, but pledged United Way’s continued support.
“We can’t promise next year’s campaign will be as strong as this year’s,” she said. “But we can promise we’ll work as hard as we can to help you be successful.”
During the event, attendees were asked to write a single word describing what community partnership means to them. The responses will be displayed at United Way’s office as a reminder of the organization’s commitment to collaboration.
The breakfast and award presentation was hosted at Big Rivers Electric Corp., which sponsored the event.
