Press Release: United Way of Davidson County awards grants to local nonprofits
United Way Invests $863,410 in Twenty-Four Local Nonprofits
Davidson County, NC –
On the morning of January 29, 2025, the United Way of Davidson County Board of Directors met to hear recommendations provided by over 60 individual community members who participated as fund distribution volunteers.Twenty-four local nonprofits w ere chosen to receive $863,410 in grants this year.
Financial Stability (8 grants, $263,741)
American Red Cross, Disaster Cycle Services, $26,212 – This program helps individuals and families prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Home Solutions of Davidson County, Home Repair Program, $26,827 – This program assists qualifying Davidson County homeowners with much needed home repairs and/or accessibility modifications to ensure they can stay in their home.
Pastor’s Pantry, Targeting Senior Hunger, $42,094 - Providing monthly groceries to senior adults experiencing long-term financial stress in Davidson County.
The Arc of Davidson County, Summer Respite Camp, $15,349 - Summer Camp that provides social and recreational opportunities for school-age children with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a traditional summer camp.
The Salvation Army of Davidson County, Community Resourcing Services, $45,000 – Provides emergency resources and quality food to families and individuals in Davidson
County.
The Workshop of Davidson, Access to Services and Community Integration/Inclusion Opportunities Program, $52,349 – Provides transportation assistance to approximately 70-100 persons to have opportunities for community inclusive activities and job placement.
South Davidson Family Resource Center, Food Pantry/Clothes Closet/Emergency Services, $19,735 - Provides food on a monthly (and emergency) basis, financial assistance with utility bills, rental or mortgage payment assistance, and heating costs such as fuel oil or wood.
Family Services of Davidson County, Crisis Intervention Program, $36,175 - The Hattie Lee Burgess Safe Home, provides a safe, temporary residence available 24 hours a day seven days a week for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and their children as well as victims of Human Trafficking.
Education (6 grants, $201,194)
The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center (formerly Boys & Girls Club) $47,036 – Promotes academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Designed to help ensure that kids feel safe, advance to their next grade level, graduate high school, avoid gangs and drugs, develop strong morals, improve their social skills, stay healthy and active.
Communities in Schools of Lexington/Davidson County, Dropout Prevention Program, $29,656 - Drop Out Prevention Program strives to build positive relationships, provide a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a healthy finish, develop a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and the opportunity to give back to the community.
Communities in Schools of Thomasville, Program Coordinator, $25,000 - Program Director oversees support programs at all four schools. This includes programs such as Man Cave, Guy
Talk, and Little Women of Distinction, all programs that focus on manners and relationship building with peers.
J. Smith Young YMCA, After School & Summer Camp Year-Round Childcare, $45,857 – Provides program scholarships to families who are in need of childcare but are not able to afford it.
Project Potential, Academic Support Program, $14,274 – Provides individual and small group tutoring sessions as well as workshops to help participants overcome gaps in learning, prepare for standardized testing, and navigate their high school courses.
Tom A. Finch Community YMCA, School Age Child Care Program, $39,371 – Provides scholarships for children to attend the after school and summer day camp program.
Health (11 grants, $398,475)
Cancer Services of Davidson County, Cancer Patient Support Program, $47,666 - Provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients to assist with prescriptions, mileage reimbursement,
emergency help, support group meetings and physical support supplies.
The Life Center of Davidson County, Adult Day Health Services, $43,847 -
Program provides high quality daytime care to older and impaired adults to help improve the quality of life for them and their caregivers by offering support, relief, respite and counsel.
DC Connect, $88,750 – Assists individuals with access to wrap around services related to social determinants of health. It provides a gateway to success from crisis to sustainability.
Dragonfly House, Child Abuse Medical Exam Program, $9,950 - Forensic medical evaluations to assess and treat physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect in a child-friendly environment.
Positive Wellness Alliance, HIV Case Management Program, $8,026 - Case management program that coordinates medical, dental, legal, mental health, transportation, emergency financial assistance, medication assistance and crisis intervention services.
Meals on Wheels of Lexington, Home Delivered Meals, $17,955 – Program serves the elderly, sick or otherwise home bound a hot nutritious meal 5 days a week. Provides daily contact with clients, many of whom are lonely and in need of love and attention.
Special Olympics Davidson County, $7,205 – Funding will cover the 2025 Spring training season as well as the cost of the 2025 Spring Games event. Additional funds will be used to purchase new uniforms and equipment for program training and competition.
Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Holistic Services, $4,500 - Assists in overcoming
communication barriers & advocates for accessibility.
Family Services of Davidson County, Counseling Program, $144,520 - Provides outpatient mental health treatment for children, youth, adults, and families who are experiencing crisis and/or traumatic events that negatively impact their ability to navigate their daily responsibilities successfully.
Hospice of Davidson County, Support Services Program, $21,056 – Provides individual and group grief counseling to Davidson County residents. Funding assists in the expansion of grief services for children from families accessing care at the Hinkle Hospice House.
Hopefulls, Weeknight Meals for Kids, $5,000 - Hopefulls, Inc. provides
weeknight meals every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This program is currently in three schools in Davidson County. Hopefulls is a new grant recipient this year.
United Way of Davidson County (UWDC) serves Davidson County with the mission to bring together community resources to identify and meet the human service needs in Davidson County through responsible leadership. UWDC does this in many ways: through funding quality of life, health and human services programs; through community development services; and through building and sustaining partnerships and other collaborative initiatives.
United Way of Davidson County received funding requests from 24 local nonprofits. In October, the United Way trained community volunteers from all areas of Davidson County. In November, those volunteers formed eleven panels. Each panel was assigned two or three funding applications to review. In December, the panels performed site visits to each agency and listened to presentations on why specific programs should receive funding. The United Way Board received funding recommendations from those eleven panels and acted on those recommendations.
Each agency was assigned an Agency Advocate who also serves as a Board Member for the United Way. Fund Distribution was led this year by Sheri Woodyard, with Davidson County Government. Agency Advocates for the United Way this year were, Eddie Bowling (City of Thomasville), Jonathan Ray (Davidson Water), Sheri Woodyard (Davidson County Government), John Clowney (Bull City Ciderworks), Laura Duran (City of Lexington), Jodi Hunt (Jerry Hunt Supercenter), Elizabeth Inabinett (Davidson Craven Capital), Kristen Fulp (Novant Health), Dylan Wilmoth (Mohawk Industries), Jude Joseph (Owens & Minor), and Dr. Nakia Hardy (Lexington City Schools).
Sheri Woodyard, UWDC Fund Distribution chair, stated, "we are deeply grateful to our dedicated fund distribution volunteers who generously offered both their time and expertise in reviewing the needs of agencies requesting United Way funding. The demands on our community are significant, and we truly appreciate the commitment and hard work involved in making this campaign year and fund distribution process a success. We are excited to see the positive impact these funds will have on our community and the lives they will touch."
The United Way Board expressed thanks to the Campaign Chair, Dylan Wilmoth, with Mohawk Industries for his leadership during the Campaign, and to the hundreds of volunteers and donors throughout the county who make this process possible each year through their contributions to United Way.
The United Way of Davidson County will hold a Campaign Celebration on Thursday, May 1st beginning at 5:30 PM at Bull City Ciderworks in Lexington. The United Way welcomes community members to
come celebrate. This event is free for anyone who wishes to attend. Food trucks will be on site for purchases.
In July of 2025, United Way will hold its annual Agency Funding Meeting. Any 501(c)(3) interested in applying for United Way funding must attend this meeting. Information will be distributed via social media and on the UWDC’s website. If you would like more information, please contact Tammy Dalton at the United Way office 336-249-2532.
Community members who are interested in serving as a fund distribution volunteer for the 2026 grant cycle, should contact the United Way of Davidson County at 336-249-2532 or visit their website to obtain more information – https://www.uwdavidson.org/fund-distribution.
