MADISON, Wis.–Two dozen organizations this week will begin receiving emergency grants totaling nearly $500,000 on behalf of the UW Credit Union Fund for Racial Equity.
The emergency funds are part of a larger $1.5 million investment in economic mobility launched in partnership with United Way of Dane County and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County that was launched earlier this year.
Due to the additional contributions from both United Way partners, the $250,000 earmarked by UW Credit Union to support emergency grants doubled the funds available, resulting in one-time gifts totaling $10,000 for Milwaukee-area organizations and up to $30,000 for Dane County organizations.
Of the 24 emergency grant recipients, 13 are local to Dane County, home to UW Credit Union, and 11 are based in the Greater Milwaukee area.
The funds will go toward efforts related to homelessness and Latinx vaccine efforts to youth mental health services and college readiness.
The Selection Process
Organizations were selected by a community advisory board comprised of community members and representative UW Credit Union employees. Many grant recipients represent first-time funded partners for United Way, a testament to United Way and UW Credit Union’s shared mission to reach organizations of all sizes through this process, according to UWCU.
“To see both the immediate and longstanding impact these funds will have in our community is rewarding on multiple levels,” said Sheila Milton, UW Credit Union vice president of Diversity Equity, and Inclusion. “Fundamentally, we know that the challenges non-profits face are compounded by the pandemic, stretching already limited resources. These emergency funds bridge a lot of gaps, but also provide some breathing room to prepare for what comes next.”
The $4-billion UWCU has more than 275,000 members.