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United Way grants support 42 programs at 25 nonprofits

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 21, 2025

United Way of Henderson County announced this week that it had awarded grants totaling $352,000 to support 42 programs at 25 local nonprofit agencies in the coming year.

The Community Investment Fund is one of United Way’s strategies that support education, financial stability, health and basic needs in Henderson County. This is in addition to a robust local community impact portfolio that also includes grants to 13 local food pantries, 30 Hurricane Helene Relief and Recovery Grants, support for Henderson County Rescue Squad, four internal programs, and more.

In 2024 more than twenty local volunteers spent dozens of hours reviewing and vetting each application to make recommendations for Community Investment Grant funding.

“Our Community Investment Grant review process is one of the first things that drew me to United Way of Henderson County six years ago,” said Executive Director Kat Carlton. “It’s truly neighbors helping neighbors. Through this collective community review process, we are able to ensure donors that their funds are being used to support the most pressing community needs and make the biggest impact.”

These grant allocations represent year two funding of what is now a three-year funding cycle. In 2026-27 the funded agencies will be awarded a year three grant based on the funding that is raised this year.

“The UWHC Community Investment Council, with full board approval, has extended our current 2-year grant cycle to three years. With the ongoing challenges following Hurricane Helene, this approach allows us to continue investing in current partners without disruption, maintaining stability at a time when it is needed most,” said Debi Gould, Community Investment Council chair. “I am incredibly grateful to the volunteer members of the Community Investment Council for guiding this process with such care and commitment, ensuring our funding decisions serve both people and purpose.”

The grant funds support nonprofit programs that address kindergarten readiness and school success, affordable housing and economic self-sufficiency, healthy youth behaviors, physical activity and nutrition and basic needs and crisis services.