RESOUCES
Innovation Fund
In 2024, United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) will not open the Innovation Fund process.
INNOVATION FUND
UWKV’s Innovation Fund champions vital collaborations, initiatives, and programs that go beyond the two-year Community Investment Process. Aligned with UWKV’s mission to “unite people and resources to improve lives in our community,” the Innovation Fund focuses on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation.
This fund aims to support programs that:
- Build strong, healthy communities.
- Provide equal opportunities for all kids.
- Improve financial stability for everyone.
UWKV only opens this fund in years that it has the additional resources to do so. It is important to note that funds are limited, even when UWKV is accepting applications; the Community Investment Process remains the primary avenue for program funding.
For more information, please contact Katelyn Pushard at KPushard@uwkv.org.
PAST FUNDED PROJECTS
2022
AUGUSTA TEEN CENTER — $30,000
Augusta Teen Center's (ATC's) Edge Program gives Kennebec County teenagers the skills and training that will allow them to explore different job and career options before entering the workforce. The Edge Program, which is geared toward teens in ATC's Diversion to Assets and Alternative to Suspension programs, will match youth with local businesses that will teach and grow basic workplace skills that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to develop. Community partners in Augusta may support the program by offering host sites, mock interviews and resume assistance.
MID-MAINE HOMELESS SHELTER AND SERVICES—$30,000
Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter and Services (MMHSS) will operate a Winter Overnight Warming Center from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31.
Currently, MMHSS operates its 48-bed shelter at full capacity, which allows the organization to serve approximately 20 percent of those requesting services. The additional warming center will provide that critical overnight shelter to the people who need it most.
In addition to a safe place to sleep, the overnight warming shelter will provide bathrooms, showers, food and access to professional case management, housing navigation and programs like Rapid Rehousing—setting these individuals up for long-term success.
SOUTH PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH — $30,000
South Parish Congregational Church (SPCC), responds to the needs of Southern Kennebec County's homeless population during the coldest months of the year through an Emergency Overnight Warming Center.
This project seeks to address one piece of a much larger housing crisis by creating a low-barrier emergency overnight warming center located at SPCC and operated by a center director and team of trained seasonal staff.
The Center will benefit not only individuals seeking assistance, but the providers who work with them by establishing an effective, efficient and less costly way of ensuring that individuals have a safe place to sleep at night.
2021
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF MID-MAINE — $30,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine's Bigs with Badges program aims to prevent children from seeing law enforcement as an adversary by connecting youth (Littles) with law enforcement officers and first responders (Bigs) to build lasting relationships through one-on-one mentoring.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES OF THE CAPITAL AREA — $15,000
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA)—The LGBTQ+ YeSS program will provide a safe, supportive environment for youth programming beginning in the summer of 2022. Not only does this project create a supportive network between youth-serving entities, but it is also a primary prevention project as it increases the protective factors of LGBTQ+ youth and reduces risk factors that are correlated with substance use, depression and anxiety.
