Helping the working poor funds available to non-profits serving low-income families
Specific criteria must be met 

WHAT:
Valley of the Sun United Way is accepting Letters of Intent (LOI) Applications from qualified charitable organizations interested in applying for funding from its 2010-2011 Helping the Working Poor Fund. Qualifying organizations must ensure LOI applications are received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 at Valley of the Sun United Way’s office located at 1515 E. Osborn Rd. Phoenix, AZ  85014.

WHO:
Interested non-profits must meet the following criteria:

• Must be certified through the Arizona Department of Revenue as a Qualifying Charitable Organization (www.revenue.state.az.us). 
• Must spend at least 50 percent of their budget on services to Arizona low-income residents and their households.
• Must provide collaborative services in the areas of job training and placement, child care, transportation, food and shelter.

WHY:
In Arizona, 32 percent of families are low-income and 20 percent of children live in poverty. Valley of the Sun United Way’s Helping the Working Poor Fund provides job-skills training and placement, affordable child care, educational opportunities and much more to hundreds of low-wage working families struggling to make ends meet.

Valley of the Sun United Way is working towards breaking the cycle of poverty by increasing the financial stability of individuals and families across Maricopa County. Through Valley of the Sun United Way-funded programs, 2,312 individuals obtained employment services and 3,126 individuals increased their incomes in 2008.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:
2010-11 Helping the Working Poor Fund Application
2010-11 Helping the Working Poor Fund Cover Sheet

WHEN:
Application Deadline is 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct.  29, 2009   

About us:
Valley of the Sun United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. Our goal is to create long-lasting and measurable changes that improve the quality of life for struggling individuals, families and children throughout Maricopa Country. For more information, visit vsuw.org.