After a six-month process, the United Way of Williamson County board of directors has selected the programs that will receive $535,000 in Community Investment Grants.

UWWC received 31 grant requests from nonprofit programs in Williamson County, adding up to almost $1 million in awards. After reviewing the applications for more than 700 hours, UWWC has narrowed the entrants down to 19 programs that will receive grants.

The programs were judged based on how well they demonstrated UWWC's goals in the areas of education, income, financial stability and health.

"We truly wish we were able to fully fund all the requests," UWWC Chief Professional Officer LeAnn Powers said in a news release. "The nonprofit organizations in our community are doing an incredible job; however, we have some very ambitious goals, so we have to be extremely strategic in allocating funds."

Each program offers a specific focus that positively affects the county by helping improve graduation rates, increasing the number of families receiving health care, providing access to prevention programs or assisting families with their financials.

"It is our responsibility to those who invest in UWWC to ensure that the donors' monies are supporting programs that make the most impact in our community," UWWC board of directors Chairman Ed Komandosky said in a news release. "The volunteers that served on our review panel used a thoughtful and careful process to determine the programs that would best meet the goals we have set. This process is one of the main reasons why donors believe in our mission."

During fiscal year 2012–13, grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 will be given to the 19 programs, adding up to $535,000.

The programs receiving grants are as follows:

Income/financial stability

  • Literacy Council of Williamson County
  • Capital IDEA
  • Williamson County Financial Stability Coalition

Education

  • Annunciation Maternity Home
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas
  • Interagency Support Council of East Williamson County Inc.
  • LifeSteps
  • Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation

Health

  • Breast Cancer Resource Center of Central Texas
  • Faith in Action Caregivers
  • Hope Alliance
  • Samaritan Health Ministries
  • The Samaritan Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care
  • Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center
  • Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities
  • YMCA of Greater Williamson County

Basic needs funding for food pantries

  • Round Rock Area Serving Center, Round Rock
  • Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry, Taylor
  • The Caring Place, Georgetown