Oct. 30, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
Addressing the issue of hunger, youth outreach and crisis assistance were the primary concerns during the Catawba County United Way’s third grant cycle of the year.
In September, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) board approved the Small Businesses Love Big grant committee’s recommendation to allocate $17,500 to fund 6 local non-profit agencies.
The CCUW’s Small Businesses Love Big grant cycle is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to invest back into their communities by supporting non-profit programs.
For Riley Bollinger from Catawba Valley Insurance and a SBLB grant committee member this outreach was all about looking beyond the numbers.
“I really like the perspective of impact over individuals. The idea that you can, especially from a small business perspective, you can make a big impact without needing to have ten thousand employees,” Bollinger said. “Looking at it from a business perspective at individuals impacted, money asked for, the things we’re going to do with the money and then being able to put it into context of what we can do to serve our community with this information, it felt like we were able to give money to the community in a way that will have lasting impact and help a good amount of people.”
In 2024, more than 3,000 individuals were helped by local non-profit programs who received a SBLB grant.
“United Way of Catawba County’s small business partners have once again proven that small businesses can make mighty impacts on their communities. This year’s grant recipients speak to the compassion and understanding our small business partners demonstrate,” CCUW Executive Director Mark Bumgarner said.
2025-26 Grant Recipients
Catawba Co. Council on Aging – West Hickory Senior Center Food Pantry
The Kindness Project – Sunday meals/outreach
Walk With Me Healing Steps – Mental health services
Women’s Resource Center – Womenade Program
OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley – Youth Outreach
More Than Enough Ministries – Back to school project
The Catawba County United Way wants to thank all the local small businesses who partnered with us to make this grant cycle possible this year.
Taylor & Viola Structural Engineers
RLI Certified Public Accountants, PC
Catawba Valley Insurance Agency
Countryside Pet Hospital (Vetcor)
Interested in supporting this CCUW outreach? Visit https://www.ccunitedway.com/small-businesses-love-big or call Meredith Willis at the United Way – 828-327-6851.