United Way Youth Community Investment Process
The Catawba County United Way Youth Council was formed in 2003 under the direction of Stephen Shuford, a United Way Board member and business leader in our community, and began the annual United Way Youth Community Investment grant cycle. Shuford led this effort with the belief that youth who become involved in their community as a teen, continue to be active as they become adults.
In 2014, the Catawba County United Way Youth Council merged with the Catawba County Youth Council led by Donna Mull with Catawba County Cooperative Extension. The group is made up of 32 high school students with at least one representative from each high school in the county. Membership applications are available through the guidance departments at the local high schools or by calling 828-465-8240.
Youth Council Grant Applications
The Youth Council will accept Requests for 2024 Funding Proposals (RFPs) targeted on the Impact Areas of Health and/or Education as they relate to the needs and wellbeing of children and youth (ages 0-18) in our community.
2024 applications open online Feb. 2.
2024 Applications are due March 1 by midnight.
Apply at THIS LINK (Closed until 2025)
Criteria to apply:
- Grants requests are $3,000 or less.
- Incorporated as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt entity or who have a 501-C3 legal status, within Catawba County.
- Comply with applicable legal, federal, state and local operating and reporting requirements (e.g. government approved accounting practices, annual audit, 990, nondiscrimination).
- Provide proof of their non-profit status (copy of 501-C3).
Questions? Contact John Bailey at jbailey@ccunitedway.com or call 828-327-6851.
2024/25 Grant Funding Awards
The Catawba County Youth Council met in person in April of 2024 to vote on how much to fund the programs of five local agencies through the annual Catawba County United Way Youth Community Investment process for 2024-25.
The Council focused on supporting those programs that benefited Catawba County students from all three public school systems, grade pre-K to high school in the targeted impact areas of Health and Education.
The group decided to distribute their annual $10,000 in funding to the following Agencies and Programs:
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The Corner Table – Backpack Program
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Funds will be used to purchase food supplies to fill Backpack Program food bags that are sent home with students at the end of each week. |
$2,329 |
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Conover School |
The school works with students with significant disabilities or needs such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, neurological disorders, genetic disorders, and autism. Funds will allow the purchase of adapted equipment, as well as switch mounts to allow students to efficiently access a means of participation. |
$2,500 |
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Carolina Caring Foundation – Brighter Days Grief Program |
Brighter Days is a grief support program for kids and teenagers providing counseling, play therapy, equine therapy, music therapy, interactive support groups, and our day camps. Funds cover cost of day camp and ongoing supplies. |
$1,500 |
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Fostering Hope Catawba Valley
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All Aboard Catawba provides new car seats for local children of caregivers unable to purchase them or who are fostering a child through the Department of Social Services. Specifically, 4 infant seats, 21 convertible toddler seats, and 4 high-back booster seats. |
$1,986 |
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South Newton Elementary |
Funds help cover cost of 500 copies of a Spanish version of the District Family Resource Guide distributed throughout the school district. It provides valuable resource contacts to families that are not English Speaking. |
$1,685 |
How it works
The Youth Council focuses on giving a voice to the young people of Catawba County in matters of government and increase involvement in volunteerism and giving back to the community. They are also the lead group for the United Way Youth Community Investment process where dollars are allocated to agency programs that specifically benefit children and teens locally.
The Youth Council meets monthly during the school year. Meetings often include presentations on topics of interest to this age group as well as informative sessions featuring county government and non-profit representatives.
Applications from non-profits for the United Way Youth Community Investment process are typically accepted in early March. More information is available by contacting Catawba County United Way by phone at 828-327-6851.
VIDEO - 2019 Youth Council Community Investment Process
