Johnson City, TN – January 24, 2022 – United Way of East TN Highlands is set to make $30,000 available to local nonprofits through Social Innovation Grants in 2022.
For a second straight year, United Way of East TN Highlands is looking to award three grants at $10,000 each out of their Social Innovation Fund. The fund was created in 2020 with a private donation that was designated specifically to drive social innovation in the region. It is used to support new programs aimed to meet social needs by filling gaps in our community related to health, education, or financial stability.
“Many of our local nonprofit organizations have had to shift the way they do things, make changes their programs to keep their clients safe and healthy. We want to support them as they find innovative ways to solve old and new issues facing our community,” said Leslie Salling, President & CEO of United Way of East TN Highlands.
This year’s grant process will be very similar to last year’s. Applications will be available online on February 1, 2022, and due March 18, 2022. They will be reviewed by a committee of volunteers, who will narrow down the applications to an estimated six potential winners. These six finalists will participate in a live pitch competition at the Social Innovation Pitch Night in May. A panel of judges and the audience will vote on three programs to take home the $10,000 grants.
“I’m looking forward to all of the ideas that our community members have. We have so many people who are looking to help those who need it most, and I’m happy that we’re able to be a part of it through funding these grants,” said Abraham McIntyre, Community Impact Coordinator at United Way of East TN Highlands.
Nonprofit or community organizations with programs less than 2 years old are eligible to apply. You must be a 501(c)3 or covered under one to apply.
More information including 2021 grant recipients can be found online at www.unitedwayetnh.org/innovation.
Social Innovation Fund
The United Way of East TN Highlands established the Social Innovation Fund in 2020 with $85,000 of donor designated funds. The fund will be used to support new programs aimed to meet social needs by filling gaps in our community related to health, education, or financial stability. Nonprofits or community organizations with programs less than 2 years old are eligible to apply. The Social Innovation Fund is fully funded through United Way of East TN Highlands.
About United Way of East TN Highlands
Serving Washington, Carter, Johnson and Southern Sullivan Counties, our goal is to break the cycle of poverty by uniting people and resources to strengthen the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. Our vision is to be a community united to empower every person and organization to reach their full potential and achieve more. For more information about United Way of East TN Highlands, please visit www.UnitedWayETNH.org.