Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County Grant Funding Program
The mission of the Emerging Leaders is to be a catalyst for change in the lives of Lake County youth through leadership, advocacy, knowledge and education in order to facilitate positive behaviors that will create tomorrow's leaders. One of the ways the Emerging Leaders work toward this is through the support of 501(c)(3) and non-profit organizations in Lake County that promote a similar mission and are geared toward youth.
Questions regarding our Grant Program should be directed to Zach Siebert via email at zsiebert@uwlc.org or by calling 440.639.1291.
The Emerging Leaders (EL) of United Way of Lake County began its first annual grant awards program in 2016. A panel of EL volunteers review grant applications from nonprofit agencies and organizations for programs that directly impact the lives of youth in Lake County. After careful review of these, visits and interviews with the nonprofit agencies and organizations are conducted by volunteers who ultimately decide which programs will be awarded funds. The group was established in 2014 by a core group of United Way volunteers. Their goals include engaging, empowering, mentoring and supporting the youth of our community in the achievement of their goals. United Way of Lake County’s Emerging Leaders raise donations throughout the year to support their grant funding program through membership fees, speaker engagements, and their annual golf outing fundraiser.
Over the last 9 years, the Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County have awarded $186,154 in grants, details of which can be found below.
2024 Grant Award Recipients
The Emerging Leaders awarded grants totaling $30,000 as part of United Way of Lake County's Community Investment Volunteer Committee. The allocations were announced in late May 2024. Below is a list of the agency programs funded. The EL's also allocated an additional $10,000 for Youth United Way's use in allocating in the Fall of 2024.
Lifeline: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Childhood Literacy Program - $10,000
NAMI Lake County: Ending the Silence Program - $10,000
Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance: Community-Based Mentoring Program - $10,000
Youth United Way: Grant Award Allocation Program - $10,000
2023 Grant Award Recipients
The Emerging Leaders awarded grants totaling $25,000 as part of United Way of Lake County's Community Impact volunteer committee. The allocations were announced during mid-June 2023. Below is a list of the agency programs funded. The EL's also allocated an additional $5,000 for Youth United Way's use in allocating.
Lake County Captains Charities: Captains Reading Program - $4,500
Lifeline: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Childhood Literacy Program - $13,000
NAMI Lake County: Ending the Silence Program - $7,500
Youth United Way: Grant Award Allocation Program - $5,000
2022 Grant Award Recipients
The Emerging Leaders awarded grants totaling $25,000 as part of United Way of Lake County's Community Impact volunteer committee. The allocations were announced during mid-June 2022. Below is a list of the agency programs funded.
Lake County Captains Charities: Captains Reading Program - $4,500
Lifeline: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Childhood Literacy Program - $15,500
Birthright: Baby Formula Program - $5,000
2021 Grant Award Recipients
The Emerging Leaders awarded grants totaling $20,000 as part of United Way of Lake County's Community Impact volunteer committee. The allocations were announced during mid-June 2021. Below is a list of the agency programs funded.
Lake County Captains Charities: Captains Reading Program - $4,000
Lifeline: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Childhood Literacy Program - $16,000
2020 Grant Award Recipients
The Emerging Leaders awarded grants totaling $20,000 as part of United Way of Lake County's Community Impact volunteer committee. The allocations were announced during the final week of June 2020. Below is a list of the agency programs funded.
Mentor Public Library: Dolly Parton Imagination Library Early Childhood Literacy Program - $15,000
Youth United Way: Grant Award Allocation Program - $5,000
2019 Grant Award Recipients
Funds totaling $17,963 were awarded to 9 non-profit agencies and organizations whose programs directly impact the lives of children and youth in Lake County. Recipients included:
- Birthright Lake, Inc. Infant Formula Program - $1,500
- Family Pride of NEO: Read Aloud Pilot Initiative - $1,100
- Lake County Free Clinic: See a Healthier Future Program - $3,136
- Lake County Family & Children First Council: Back to School Bash 2020 - $2,000
- Grant Elementary School: Strong Like a Girl Program: $1,053
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Lake County: Ending the Silence Program - $2,000
- Perry Local Schools: Pirate Power Pack Program - $874
- Cleveland Rape Crisis Center: Lake County Outreach Program - $1,300
- Youth United Way: 2020 Grant Award Allocation Program - $5,000
2018 Grant Award Recipients
Funds totaling $15,218 were awarded to 7 non-profit agencies and organizations whose programs directly impact the lives of children and youth in Lake County. The funds were awarded the morning of August 31, 2018 at the Emerging Leaders 5th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser.
- Alliance for Working Together: Junior Botz Program - $1,250
- Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio: Journey Program - $1,100
- Hospice of the Western Reserve: Grief Resources Program for Children - $1,000
- Lake County Free Clinic: Helping Children Breathe Better - $2,593
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (Lake County): Ending the Silence - $2,000
- Salvation Army Citadel: Steam Program - $2,275
- Youth United Way: Grant Award Allocation Program - $5,000
2017 Grant Award Recipients
Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County (YL) awarded $12,973 in grants the morning of Friday, September 1, 2017 during their fourth annual golf outing at Black Brook in Mentor. This is the EL's second annual funding cycle.
Funds were awarded to agencies and organizations whose programs directly impact the lives of youth in Lake County. Recipients included:
- Madison Local School District- South Elementary: Makerspace Lego Wall Program - $550
- Lake County YMCA: Hispanic Achievers Program- $1,000
- Lake County Miracle League: DD Playground & Baseball Field- $1,125
- LEAF: L.E.A.V.E.S. Program- $2,298
- Lake County Collaborative: Lifelong Learning for Health & Fitness- $3,000
- Youth United Way: Grant Awards Allocation Program - awarded $5,000
2016 Grant Award Recipients
Emerging Leaders of United Way of Lake County awarded $15,000 in grants the morning of Friday, September 2, 2016 during their third annual golf outing at Black Brook in Mentor. This was YL's inaugural funding cycle - the first year they have awarded funds.Recipients included:
- Crossroads: Horticulture Therapy Garden Program – awarded $3,950
- Lake County General Health District: Nutrition & Gardening Program – awarded $2,100
- St. Mary’s of the Assumption: I CAN the Way I AM, Disability Awareness Program – awarded $450
- Wickliffe City Schools: One District One Book Program – awarded $3,500
- Youth United Way: Grant Awards Allocation Program - awarded $5,000