When allocating money for partner agencies last year, the Callaway County United Way encountered a problem any nonprofit would envy: it had excess funds.
After deliberation, the Board of Directors found a solution in the creation of the Community Enhancement Grant program. Beginning next year, the United Way may award two $500 and one $1,000 grant per quarter to agencies, organizations or even individuals with a plan to make an impact in the community.
Board President Glenn Harris said the goal of the incentive was to "incorporate more people in the United Way process and help our dollars go as far as they can."
"A lot of times our agencies will request funding for certain programs, and then as the year goes on another program may come up that there's not funding for," Harris said. "They can apply for additional funding to further help the citizens of Callaway County. At the same time, there may be another organization that isn't a United Way agency ... or even an individual."