United Way of Central Ohio’s board of trustees has approved over $5.3 million in funding for 75 local nonprofits and 96 programs serving our community’s families and children. These funds are dedicated to supporting Success by Third Grade, which focuses on eliminating nonacademic barriers to help families thrive and children succeed in school and in life.
Download the list of funded nonprofits here.
Success by Third Grade is a collective impact movement that brings together individuals, nonprofits, corporations, school districts and governments to ensure children achieve reading proficiency by the time they leave third grade, setting them on a path for long-term success.
This funding cycle runs from July 2024 to June 2025 and will focus on three primary areas: ensuring that children are safe and supported at school, promoting home and family stability, and enhancing child well-being. Our goal is to address these critical areas to help children succeed both academically and in their overall quality of life.
Currently in Franklin County, 47% of students in school districts that participate in Success by Third Grade can read proficiently by third grade, compared to 77% in nonparticipating districts. Our target goal is to cut this 30-point proficiency gap in half by 2035, knowing it will require a concerted effort to address the underlying issues that affect children’s ability to succeed in school.
The selection process for these grants was rigorous and inclusive, with a diverse panel of reviewers reflecting the demographics of Franklin County. This panel included United Way staff and more than 121 community volunteers, ensuring that the proposals were evaluated from multiple perspectives. As a result, we are excited to welcome 13 new nonprofit partners and are proud to note that 34 of the 75 funded nonprofits are led by people of color.
“Success by Third Grade is crucial for our community’s future. By focusing on academic achievement and quality of life, we are ensuring kids get the support they need,” said Lisa Courtice, president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio. “The nonprofits we’ve chosen for this funding cycle are succeeding in their efforts, and we’re excited to work together to tackle the nonacademic barriers that impact reading proficiency.”
