2022-2024 Community Investments
United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Announces 2022-2024 Community Investments and Annual Campaign Results
On May 10th, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County announced the award of $3.3 million to 94 programs and special initiatives across Buffalo and Erie County in support of community impact goals and priority programming.
According to Michael Weiner, President and CEO of UWBEC, “Our 2022 investments reflect United Way’s priorities surrounding equity and systemic change in alignment with our strategic plan and pressing community needs. These investments are one important component in United Way’s work to break the cycle of hardship that keeps 40% of families in Erie County from reaching financial stability.”
This highly competitive Request for Proposal process saw an unprecedented number of applicants, thanks to an extensive outreach campaign designed to attract innovative programs within targeted zip codes and serving high-need populations. Programs were measured against their alignment with United Way’s focus areas, target populations served, program design, and financial viability with a particular emphasis on program performance and measurement. Applications were reviewed by subject matter experts, community volunteers, and UWBEC staff.
These important community impact investments—as well as United Way’s program development, coalition work, advocacy, and research—are made possible through the generous support of over 28,000 donors.
United Way also announced the successful completion of its 2021 annual campaign which generated a total of $10,265,000, thanks to a combination of over 500 workplace campaigns, corporate and foundation support, special fundraising initiatives and endowment & planned giving contributions. This included outstanding campaigns by Wegmans and M&T Bank, who each raised over $1 million this year. Donor-restricted pledges made up just over $3.0 million of the 2021 total, with the above impact investments and direct program work of United Way representing the balance of unrestricted funds.
United Way wishes to thank the entire community for their unwavering support of the annual UW campaign, with special gratitude to Tina Stenhouse and Jamie Ferullo, this year’s campaign co-chairs.