Moore Senior Citizens Center one of 20 United Way funding partners for 2022-23

Wanda Steelman enjoys a game of Skip Bo at the Moore County Senior Citizens on Tuesday. The local center was one of 20 area non-profits to receive funding from the latest United Way of Highway 55 allocation. (Photo Courtesy for MC Senior Citizens)

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — This morning, the United Way of Highway 55 announced its partner nonprofits for the 2022-23 fiscal year. In total, the local non-profit will fund local and regional 501(c)3 organizations including the Moore County Senior Citizen’s Center in Lynchburg.

On April 27, 28, and 29 United Way of Highway 55 allocations team, made up of local community and Board members, reviewed applications and conducted interviews with each agency. Holly Buchanan of Moore County is one on 10 allocation team members. The 20 nonprofit partners are located and/or serve in Moore, Coffee, and Warren Counties. They will receive a total of $40,000 or more for the year. Each nonprofit will receive four checks for the year.

“Our goal is to allocate more funds every year to local nonprofits. Raise more so we can give more,” state United Way of Highway 55 Director Ashley Abraham. “The committee does not take choosing the partners lightly. Every nonprofit is required to present to the committee. The committee studies every application and 990.”

Director Abraham explained that many areas are weighed. For example, does the organization serve Moore, Coffee, and/or Warren Counties? Does their mission serve one of their four pillars: health, basic essentials, education, and income?  How high is the need for their mission in our community? How much are they asking and where will the funds be used? Where do most of their donations come from (Grants, Businesses, Individual, Fundraisers)? Are they heavily volunteer based or how much do they pay out to employees?

“These questions along with many more are discussed,” explained Director Abraham. “The committee meets without me to decide and divide the budget on how much each nonprofit will receive. It is a tedious and well thought out process. I would say it is the best way to get involved and learn about our local nonprofits and what United Way does.”

Any community individual can be on the allocations committee. United Way of Highway 55 seeks a diverse committee representing all three counties they serve.

“We appreciate all nonprofits that applied and will continue to share our resources,” said Director Abraham. “We also invite all local nonprofits (501c3) that serve Moore, Coffee, and Warren counties to apply next year.

Other funding partners for the upcoming year include: Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME), Children’s Advocacy Center, 31st Judicial District, Kids of the Community, My Father’s Closet, Young Men United, The Hope Center of Warren County, Coffee County Humane Society, Coffee County Child Care Center, Tullahoma Day Care Center, Hospice of the Highland Rim Foundation, Coffee County Senior Citizens, Trinity Care Center, Access Hope, Haven of Hope, CASA Works, Canvas Community Church/Community Table, HorsePlay Inc., The Storehouse, and The Shepherd’s House.•

{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}