With more than 3,500 nonprofits calling North Texas home, Giving Day has become a big moment for the organizations that help the community help itself to grow and thrive. The theme for the Sept. 18 Giving Day and showcase of area nonprofits is, “The need is great. The time is now.”
“Every participating nonprofit is IRS-recognized, in good standing with state and local requirements, and committed to serving our community,” the North Texas Giving Day website says. “When you give through NorthTexasGivingDay.org, your dollars are put to work right here in North Texas, helping fund programs and services that impact lives in our community.”
For United Way of Grayson County Executive Director Katie Eubank, this year’s theme is right on time.
“The demands on our social services and nonprofits are only increasing with increased economic pressures on families,” she said last week. “Also, the political climate is affecting federal and state funding for some of these organizations. We have got organizations that are doing more than ever with the same or less money. We are seeing that across the board and certainly here in Grayson County.
United Way of Grayson County works with about 20 local nonprofits as partners helping them to achieve their goals.
“Over half of them are citing budget deficits this year, projecting,” Eubank said. “A day like North Texas Giving Day provides a platform for individuals to not only learn about the works that nonprofits are doing, but to also, if they feel compelled, make a financial donation as well.
“At the end of the day, dollars are the only thing that will keep lights on.”
Through the North Texas Giving Day website, people can learn about local organizations who have highlighted their programs with pictures and videos.
“It is a great opportunity to look for volunteer opportunities, if you have time to give,” Eubank said. “The most valuable thing that anyone has to give is their time.”
Food and supplies are another way individuals can give back.
“One of my favorite things is when we get a gift in memory of someone or in honor of someone,” Eubank said.
United Way’s goal is $5,000.
“Most organizations are facing a budget deficit,” Eubank said. “Over the last few months, that is what our deficit has been so we are trying to make that goal to fill that gap.”
The United Way’s job is to help local organizations meet their needs through support and more.
“The most critical thing we do is invest the donations we receive into our nonprofit community,” she said. “That is what we are known for historically. That is where our large impact is felt. Somewhere in the ballpark of one in four Grayson County residents receives a service through one of our partner agencies. Helping to invest in those programs is a critical path for our community. That is our top priority, great need, high impact.”
So while United Way is an advocate for others, the local nonprofit organization also has several programs that it leads.
“So Tiny Toes has been a very impactful program for 3 years,” Eubank said. “It is a family support program. So, imagine a family does not have a natural support system. Children are difficult to raise. I am doing it now. I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old and I could not imagine not having my mom here to call to ask for help or a neighbor or a friend. So many in our community do not have that support system. We are offering our support system. We are guiding them to important community resources and helping them get on a path for success.”
Early last year, United Way began work with a diaper bank.
“The diaper bank is a support program for that was born out of a need,” Eubank said. “There is no assistance program for diapers like SNAP or WIC. Diapers are a critical need for children to be safe, clean and dry. We are serving almost 200 children a month with that program. So, everything we give away is what our community has given us. That is just incredible. We are very fortunate to be able to help with that.”
Then, there is the Imagination Library.
“Dolly Parton has been doing it for more than 30 years,” Eubank said. “We are just at about two years and over 30,000 books mailed to Grayson County children. We have just over 1,700 children enrolled right now. We would love to enroll more children. It is just a matter of finances at this point. These are age-appropriate books being mailed to any child enrolled. It is great, great program. Early literacy can change a child’s trajectory and help them become school ready.”
For just $31 a year, individuals can help provide a book each month to a local child under the age of five years.
“A really interesting article, I recently read said that for every $1 we invest in childhood programs, saves our society $7 in the future just through their involvement in the juvenile justice system, social service needs and more,” Eubank said. “Almost all of our programs are targeted towards early childhood, birth to five years, because we believe that if we pour into our children today, we are helping them in the future.”
North Texas Giving Day platform is open through Sept. 18, and 100 percent of the donations are given to the nonprofits. There will be not added processing, credit card or administration fees tacked onto the donations.
“People hear United Way and think of this big global organization, and while we are a part of a global network, we are hyper local,” Eubank said. “We are an independent organization that has a local board or directors and local staff. We raise all of our money here locally here in Grayson County and it stays here in Grayson County for the benefit of our residents.”
To donate to any of the local nonprofits, visit their pages at https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/.
