United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties shifts financial model, plans new 2026 grant cycle

United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties announced a major restructuring of its financial model to strengthen long-term stability and increase transparency in its community investments. Beginning in 2026, United Way will move from a pledge-based funding model to a cash-on-hand model, ensuring grants are awarded based on dollars received rather than dollars pledged.

“For nearly 70 years, United Way Wayne & Holmes has operated on pledged contributions, promises of future support,” said Katie Koglman, CEO of United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties. “Donor behavior has shifted, and this transition is essential for responsible, modern and sustainable grantmaking. We owe it to our community to evolve.”

To support this transition, no new grant cycles or applications will be offered for the rest of 2025. The current core community partners have already been awarded a one-time unrestricted gift to help them continue their good work through the transition.

This pause allows United Way Wayne & Holmes to align its processes, stabilize the reset and build an updated investment strategy that meets current community needs.

UWWH Board of Directors is actively developing updated grant criteria, eligibility requirements, funding priorities and scoring rubrics for the next investment cycle.

The 2026 grant cycle will open in spring 2026, with full details announced in the first quarter of 2026.

Even as traditional grantmaking pauses, United Way Wayne & Holmes continues to invest in community programs in 2025 through the volunteer investment team, board-designated funds and the Operation SNAP GAP initiative.

2025 volunteer investment team grants

—American Red Cross: $30,000.

—Anazao Community Partners: $92,724.

—Catholic Charities: $82,000.

—Children’s Advocacy Center: $60,945.

—Goodwill Industries: $55,000.

—Holmes Center for the Arts: $11,000.

—NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties: $33,500.

—Learn N Play: $20,000.

—OneEighty Inc.: $135,000.

—Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club (Rittman): $22,500.

—Salvation Army - Wooster: $70,000.

—The Counseling Center: $58,500.

—Viola Startzman Clinic: $100,000.

—Wayne County Schools Career Center: $17,560.

—YMCA: $50,000.

—IncludeAbility: $12,500.

—Nick Amster Inc.: $4,050.

—Norwayne Local Schools: $4,650.

2025 board-designated grants

—Kevin McAllister Fund: $100.

—ASPIRE: $100.

—Holmes County General Health District (Mobile Vaccine Unit): $5,000.

—West Salem Outreach - food assistance: $2,000.

—Catholic Charities: $500 (gifts of gratitude nomination).

—YMCA - Holmes County Before & After School Care: $25,000.

—Habitat for Humanity Holmes County: $7,500.

—Knights Academy - Meal Prep Classes: $2,000.

—West Holmes Early Intervention - sensory furniture: $2,000.

—Viola Startzman Clinic - West Salem Expanded Services: $5,000.

—Community Action Wayne/Medina - emergency housing assistance: $5,000.

—West Holmes Middle School - Shop with a Teacher: $1,250.

2025 Operation SNAP GAP grants

—Christ’s Cupboard: $250.

—Community Action Wayne/Medina: $1,000.

—Crown Hill Mennonite: $250.

—Faith Fellowship: $250.

—Glenmont Food Pantry: $250.

—Homeward Bound: $250.

—Lakeville United Methodist: $250.

—Millersburg Church of God: $500.

—Millersburg First Presbyterian: $250.

—People to People Ministries: $250.

—Pregnancy Care Center: $250.

—Rittman United Methodist: $250.

—The Love Center Food Pantry: $250.

—The Server: $1,000.

—West Salem Outreach: $1,000.

—Wooster Hope Center: $250.

—YMCA of Wayne County: $250.

Operation SNAP GAP funding was distributed to support local food pantries, emergency food providers and organizations preparing for increased community needs due to SNAP benefit reductions.

“We are excited about this reset,” said Bonnie Ferguson Hall, president of the board of directors. “It positions United Way Wayne & Holmes to be more flexible, more responsive and more accountable to our donors and the organizations we serve. This transition strengthens our ability to meet real-time needs and invest more effectively in the future. We rely on the generosity of our community members and need to be accountable with those contributions.”

Organizations interested in updates about funding in 2026 can visit www.uwwh.org or follow United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties on social media for announcements.