ALLENTOWN, Pa. — In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has announced $310,000 in grants for 21 organizations serving historically marginalized communities in the area.
- The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is giving $310,000 in grants to 21 organizations
- The money is to serve historically marginalized communities in the area
- The programs being funded include leadership, housing, the arts and more
“Our journey to launch the Fund for Racial Justice and Equity was about challenging the norms that have kept folks of color out of position to prosper," said Kevin Greene, fund leader and chief operations officer of Faces International, in a news release.
"We now have a new road map for funding, and it's time to be all in."Kevin Greene, fund leader and chief operations officer of Faces International
"We now have a new road map for funding, and it's time to be all in."
The fund aims to support Black and Brown leaders, community members, nonprofit organizations and institutions.
“We’re honored and excited to announce this latest initiative," said Marci Martinez- Howey, the associate vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion of United Way.
"The funds are actually going through a variety of programs and initiatives that are really being led by our Black and Brown leaders in the community who have not had an opportunity in the past to really realize their visions.
"With targeted and intentional investments, we can remove the funding barriers faced by leaders of color and take an important step toward building a community where every person belongs and every person thrives.”
The following organizations will receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 this month:
- Cohesion Network
- Epoch Tribe
- Financial Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley
- Fine Feather Foundation Inc.
- Global Hope International
- Greater Community Development Corp.
- InnaStar
- Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
- Lycan Media
- LatinosARE
- Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance
- Light on the Horizon
- Mother2Mother Inc.
- Movement Moves Media
- Resurrected Community Development Inc.
- SELF!
- The Rilyc
- The Rising Sun Initiative
- The Thrive Hub inc.
- Unidos Inc.
- Vet Beds
Of the 37 organizations that applied for funding, 21 received grants. It is the first time United Way had distributed money through the Fund for Racial Justice and Equity.
The specific topics being funded include leadership development, economic advancement, health and wellness and storytelling about Black and Brown excellence and success, with programs focusing on areas from housing to the arts.
"The main goal really was to help to remove the obstacles and funding barriers that are faced by many of our leaders of color," said Martinez- Howey.
The funding comes from PPL Foundation, Crayola, Behr, Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, Truist, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and United Way Women United.
For more information, visit www.unitedwayglv.org.