United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties has awarded $80,000 in ALICE Stability Grants to 12 organizations serving local residents as part of its redesigned year-round community investment model.
The grants mark the third funding cycle under the updated approach, which distributes funding throughout the year rather than through a single annual process, according to a community announcement. United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties said the model is intended to help the organization respond more quickly to emerging needs across Wayne and Holmes counties.
The latest round of funding focused on ALICE households, a term that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The designation describes households that earn too much to qualify for many assistance programs but still struggle to afford basic necessities and remain vulnerable to financial setbacks.
According to United For ALICE data cited in the announcement, 38% of Wayne County households were living below the ALICE Threshold in 2023, including 25% classified as ALICE and 13% living in poverty. In Holmes County, 40% of households were below the threshold, including 31% identified as ALICE and 9% living in poverty. Across Ohio, 37% of households were below the ALICE Threshold in 2024.
A total of 14 applications were submitted during the grant cycle. Funding recommendations were reviewed and scored by United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties' Volunteer Investment Team, a group of community volunteers responsible for evaluating applications.
Twelve organizations received ALICE Stability Grants through the competitive process:
Catholic Charities Wayne County
Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties
Resilient Roots & Wings Foundation
The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties
The Salvation Army Wooster Corps
United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties awarded a total of $80,000 during the cycle. Some organizations received full funding for their requests while others received partial awards, according to the announcement.
The organization said grant reviewers placed considerable emphasis on programs that directly support ALICE households and help improve long-term financial stability for working families.
"The latest data shows that nearly four out of every 10 households in Wayne and Holmes Counties are living below the ALICE Threshold," said Katie Koglman, CEO of United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties. "These are families who are doing everything right, working hard, raising children, caring for aging parents, and contributing to our local economy, yet many still struggle to make ends meet. Through our year-round funding model, we can respond more quickly to local needs and support organizations that are helping families remain stable and move forward."
Residents interested in supporting programs that assist ALICE households can contribute through United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties. Donations can be made online at uwwh.org or by contacting the organization at [email protected] or 330-264-5576.
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This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: United Way funds 12 nonprofits supporting working families