| “We realize
that most human service agencies are in a constant struggle
to keep up with new technologies. It’s also a challenge
for them to choose between spending on agency operations
and supporting client services,” said Jennifer Bartholomew,
vice president of United Way’s Community Impact Division. “The
purpose of United Way’s Capacity Building Fund is to
improve efficiency—knowing this will ultimately result
in better service delivery.”
In total, $60,000 was awarded. Listed below are the agencies
that received grants, along with the grant amounts and
purposes:
- Catholic Charities of Onondaga
County—$5,000
to upgrade and integrate the computer system and related
technologies used by more than 300 employees at 13
sites.
- Epilepsy Foundation of
Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton—$2,375
to purchase a laptop and projector to deliver multimedia
presentations, for improved education and outreach.
- Exceptional Family Resources—$8,000 to connect
and consolidate several platforms utilizing Microsoft
Access,
incorporating additional functionality for greater
efficiency and effectiveness.
- Huntington Family Centers,
Inc.—$10,000 to increase
the agency’s technological capacities through
two related strategies: 1. Replace obsolete computers
and update
existing computers to meet industry standards and
2. Install a firewall to protect agency information.
- InterFaith Works—$5,842
to enhance and protect system capabilities and minimize
areas of vulnerabilities, increasing the agency’s
overall organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
- The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence—$2,436
to expand technological hardware and software used
to achieve more
efficient contact with clients, help promote communication
between mentoring groups, and grow the agency’s
ability to oversee and create growth strategies for
programs.
- L’Arche
Syracuse, Inc.—$3,482 to acquire hardware,
software, service and training to become more efficient
within the organization’s main office.
- Mental Health Association of
Onondaga County—$7,500
to conduct a technology assessment and create a
technology plan for the agency to meet the growing
demands of
the community and to support the growth and stability
of the
MHA.
- P.E.A.C.E., Inc.—$6,000
to upgrade the agency’s
OASIS (Outcome and Services Information System) database,
a customized outcome tracking system created in 2001
to better track the agency’s Community Services
Block Grant funded programs.
- Samaritan Center—$3,965 to purchase a laptop,
projector, software and screen to support broad-based
community advocacy,
education and marketing activities.
- Spanish Action
League of Onondaga County, Inc.—$5,400
to update existing computers in the organization’s
main office.
The Technology Grant range in this funding cycle is $1,500
to $10,000 per grant. Capacity Building Technology Grants
are offered twice annually, in both the spring and fall.
United Way will open its next Technology Grant application
opportunity in August.
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