San Jose Business Journal
April 29, 2011

United Way Silicon Valley said it is awarding $100,000 in grants each year for two years to programs that offer a new way of doing things, have the potential to be replicated and can demonstrate positive results for our community.

“With more government budget cuts looming and high demand for services, nonprofit organizations need to be innovative so they can continue to provide high-quality services to people in need,” said Carole Leigh Hutton, United Way Silicon Valley president and CEO. “United Way Silicon Valley is willing to provide the seed money to give local nonprofits the impetus to make that happen.”

Local nonprofit agencies submitted 40 proposals in the competitive grant application process and five nonprofit programs have qualified for the final round. One to three programs could be awarded all or part of the $100,000. For example, two programs might receive $50,000 each. The final decision will be made by a committee of local volunteers in late May.

The five finalists are:

West Valley Community Services’ Financial Education and Nutritional Outreach program is aimed at getting people the help they need now while providing financial education to help them build assets for the future.

The Opportunity Fund’s Start2Save is a first-of-its-kind micro-savings program that would enable low-income families to gain financial capability and create a “buffer savings” fund.

Project E-Learning was submitted by the Vietnamese Voluntary Foundation Inc. The online program is aimed at improving children’s success in school by offering comprehensive case management with an online teaching tool.

The YMCA of Silicon Valley’s Early Learning Readiness Group builds the skills of the family, friends and neighbors who provide much early childhood care.

The “Housing 1000″ project submitted by the Community Technology Alliance is part of a countywide effort to end chronic homelessness.