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United Way to award grants

JANESVILLE — United Way of North Rock County will award more than $870,000 to 58 programs and 37 partner agencies in 2012 and again in 2013.

The United Way anticipates raising $1.3 million in pledges and other income. As of Tuesday, the 2011 campaign had raised $1.1 million, or 87 percent, of its goal.

The largest grant total—$332,748—will go to help people meet basic needs. ECHO's Way Home, a new program that targets rent assistance, is receiving funding for the first time.

Sixteen programs that help build and sustain families and communities will receive $206,400 to target domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and prevention.

Programs that focus on education will receive $129,275, and health-related programs are getting $101,288.

Grant requests exceeded available dollars by $165,180, said Ron Ochs, president of United Way of North Rock County.

Choices were based on impact, Ochs said.

"They made critical evaluations on how to best invest money with limited dollar amounts, evaluated the program, its outcome and how much impact it would have in the community,'' he said.

The local United Way will receive $206,551 to operate programs and pay some wages and benefits.

The United Way will get an additional $195,000 for management, general operating and fundraising expenses, Ochs said.

The local United Way uses 16.9 percent of its revenue for management and fundraising expenses, he said. That's below the worldwide United Way average, which is more than 18 percent, he said.

"My intention is to improve on that ratio," Ochs said.

"We're trying to run as efficiently as possible and see stewardship as important. We are trying to be as cost effective as possible with complete transparency and accountability," he said.

It's not clear how local fundraising would be affected by a planned merger of United Way of North Rock County and the Stateline United Way. The agencies announced plans Jan. 18 to consolidate in hopes of improving efficiency and eliminating duplication. They estimate the merger would mean 15 percent more of donations would be available for programs in Rock County and northern Winnebago County, Ill.

The savings won't be realized until 2014. This year will be spent working out details of the merger to the agencies can integrate in 2013, Ochs said.

UNITED WAY GRANTS

The United Way of North Rock County projects awarding the following grants to community organizations in 2012 and 2013:

United Way of North Rock County

-- Education, $3,015

-- Income, $3,180

-- Health, $1,379

-- Families, $3,621

-- Grant Distribution, $34,797

-- Community Impact/Building, $28,983

-- Community Services Building, $20,041

-- Venture Grants and Community Initiatives, $6,975

-- First Call Information and Referral, $55,560

-- Volunteer Network, $49,000

Total: $206,551

YWCA Rock County

-- Immigrant Outreach, $17,250

-- Women's Economic Empowerment Center, $5,900

-- Alternatives to Violence, $38,000

-- CARE House, $31,200

-- Child Care, $10,500

Total: $102,850

Community Action

-- AWARE, $14,000

-- Community Kids Janesville Learning Center, $39,000

-- Skills Enhancement, $9,788

Total: $62,788

The Salvation Army

-- Family Social Services Assistance, $38,500

-- Pathways Transitional Housing, $10,000

-- Youth Development/Community Center, $2,500

Total: $51,000

Boys and Girls Club of Janesville

-- Youth Development and Guidance, $42,000

Janesville Community Day Care

-- Ruger Site Tuition Assistance, $34,450

-- Infant Center Tuition Assistance, $7,450

Total: $41,900

HealthNet of Janesville

-- Dental Care, $6,500

-- Primary Medical Care, $29,000

Total: $35,500

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

-- Community Referrals, $27,675

-- In-Home/Groups, $675

-- Intergenerational Programs, $4,850

Total: $33,200

Big Brothers Big Sisters

-- Youth Mentoring, $32,000

Catholic Charities

-- Child and Family Counseling, $1,770

-- Family Counseling, $26,965

-- ARC Recreation for Adults with Disabilities, $3,142

Total: $31,877

American Red Cross

-- Disaster Services, $16,000

-- Biomedical Services-Blood Drives, $7,000

-- Health, Safety and Community Services, $5,300

Total: $28,300

Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois

-- CASA of Rock County, $13,500

-- Sexual Assault Recovery, $8,000

-- Youth2Youth, $6,300

Total: $27,800

The Literacy Connection

-- Adult Literacy Connection, $23,850

Lutheran Social Services

-- Janesville Adult Program, $4,000

-- Positive Parenting, $9,800

-- Runaway and Youth Services, $3,500

-- Counseling Services-Janesville Clinic, $6,288

Total: $23,588

Senior Services of Rock County

-- Benefit Specialist Program, $20,000

Edgerton Community Outreach

-- Client Services, $10,000

-- Food Pantry, $4,000

-- Breakfast Program, $1,375

Total: $15,375

ECHO

-- ECHO Way Home, $12,000

Family Services Association

-- Consumer Credit Counseling Service, $10,000

Boy Scouts—Glacier's Edge Council

-- Boy Scouts, $5,000

-- Cub Scouts, $5,000

Total: $10,000

Rock Communities Youth Network

-- Youth Assessment, $9,100

Children's Service Society

-- Exchange Family Resource Center, Evansville, $4,000

-- Families and Communities Together, $3,500

Total: $7,500

Girl Scouts Badgerland Council

-- Leadership Experience Scholarships, $7,500

Total: $7,500

Enrichment Center

-- The Enrichment Center, $5,500

Kandu Industries

-- Waiting List Project, $5,000

American Heart Association

-- Education and Awareness, $4,300

4-C Community Coordinated Child Care

-- Professional Development and Training, $2,000

-- Referrals and Public Awareness, $1,700

Total: $3,700

Partners in Prevention

-- Positive Youth Development, $3,200

Wisconsin Badger Camp

-- Camp Scholarships, $3,000

Agrace HospiceCare

-- Grief Counseling for Children, $2,500

SMILES

-- Equine Assisted Therapy, $2,000

City of Evansville

-- Evansville Youth Center, $1,300