The United Way of Greater Kingsport has allocated $1.53 million to 25 member agencies that run 32 programs.
This comes after the agency’s 2023 funding campaign netted more than $3 million in cash, pledges, in-kind donations and grants.
“United Way remains committed to leveraging the generosity of our community to improve lives in our community,” Danelle Glasscock, executive director of United Way, said. “United Way remains strongly committed to being a strong advocate in challenging times for needs in our community.”
United Way of Greater Kingsport announced member allocations at its Annual Meeting last week at the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Community Complex. The member allocations are one part of the agencies giving, which also includes $140K for community initiatives and grants and $705K to other area Community Chests and other United Ways.
Glasscock said there will be a total of almost $2.4 million in allocations this year.
“While we emphasize our giving to member agencies, we also raise and distribute many more dollars to our community and region,” she said.
The amount raised was $70,000 less than 2022’s fundraising campaign, Glasscock said.
She said the amount of donations and pledges have remained around the $2.8 million mark since 2020.
“Our organization, as did many, did experience a steep change decline in 2020 from the years pre-COVID,” Glasscock said. “This decline is continuing to be felt by our organization and those we serve.”
The decline led to United Way using about $500,000 in strategic reserves during the pandemic to assist agencies who experienced government shutdowns and funding challenges.
That led to a temporary 5% funding boost in program funding in 2022 and 2023, Glasscock said.
Over the past year, United Way of Greater Kingsport did see successes, according to its 2023 annual report.
Highlights included:
- Helping 54 people achieve permanent housing through the Kingsport Homeless Coalition
- Funding 32 programs that affected more than 25,000 people
- More than $270,000 tax refunds processed for 281 households through the Volunteer Income Tas Assistance program
- 10,475 service hours by volunteers, with an estimated value of more than $333,000
- 1,524 books distributed through United WE READ
Glasscock said the organization is now conducting its biennial Citizen’s Review Process. In the process, community members evaluate the United Way’s agencies including their measurable outcomes to assisting people in the community, Glasscock said.
“Our volunteers will continue to invest the generous dollars of our donors into the most impactful programs in our community,” she said.
