RICE COUNTY, Minn. (Sept. 23, 2024) – Rebound Partners United Way Microgrants have been awarded to three charitable organizations for urgent needs and innovation. This is the first round of quarterly microgrants in the 2024-25 fiscal year ending in June 2025.
A committee of dedicated volunteers gathered to make the decision after receiving 10 applications – the most it has ever received for the microgrants of up to $1,000. Rebound Partners and Rice County Area United Way will offer the following microgrants this fall:
Community Café: The Community Café in Faribault serves an average of 218 meals per week to low-income seniors, families, people with disabilities and anyone wanting to eat a meal in a community setting. The funds will help replace a broken commercial dishwasher and save the many volunteers from hand-washing dishes.
Northfield Union of Youth (NUY): A microgrant will enable NUY to serve communal dinners that aim to enhance social bonding and create a space where open and supportive conversations can flourish. “The majority of youth served at The Key do not have the opportunity to eat meals together as a family,” said NUY Executive Director Kelli Podracky.
This is Me: This Is Me is an innovative, new nonprofit. It wants to give local youth living in foster care a yearbook from their school every year. “We want to memorialize what is important to kids and give them a way to look back on what they decide is important,” said Executive Director Holly Schoenbauer. This is Me will also have money set aside for foster youth to get involved with what they are passionate about: swimming, horse camp, football camps and more.
About Rebound Partners United Way Microgrants
United Way’s local microgrant program was piloted in 2022 with partner Rebound Partners. “Rice County Area United Way determined it was helpful in meeting needs that don’t fit our grant cycle, and we also want to reach out to charitable groups that may not have established funding sources,” said Elizabeth Child.