Walworth County nonprofits awarded $48,000 in COVID relief grants

ELKHORN — Walworth County, in partnership with the United Way of Walworth County, has awarded just over $48,000 to 19 area nonprofits through its fifth round of funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant-funding program.

Announced in December 2021, the grant-funding program is intended to offset the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic incurred by nonprofits and charitable organizations.

“The grant-funding partnership with Walworth County has more than succeeded in its goal to provide a lifeline to local non-profits that faced tremendous financial and operational challenges in the recovery from the pandemic,” United Way of Walworth County Executive Director Brian Holt said in a release. “These organizations do so much to support Walworth County residents. By supporting these agencies, we contribute to the resiliency and well-being of our communities.”

The grant recipients are:

• Aram Public Library

• Bethel House of Whitewater

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Central Wisconsin

• , Boys and Girls Club of Dane & Walworth County

• , Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties/Twin Oaks Shelter for the Homeless

• Elkhorn Food Pantry

• Geneva Lake Conservancy

• Geneva Lakes Family YMCA

• Geneva Lake Museum

• Join the Movement Events

• New Beginnings APFV,

• Safe Families for Children Southeastern Wisconsin

• Seeds of Hope

• Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills (SMILES)

• St. Andrew

• Tree House Child and Family Center

• United Way of Jefferson and Walworth County

• Walworth County Literacy Council

• Wisconsin Makers

The agencies received between $1,000 and $6,000 each and may use the grants for assistance in implementing COVID-19 prevention or mitigation tactics; technical assistance, consulting, or other services for business planning; assistance with payroll support, costs to retain employees or other operating costs; or outreach efforts for qualifying populations impacted by COVID-19.

The Walworth County Board of Supervisors recently approved a total of $400,000 in grant funds for distribution to local nonprofit and charitable veterans service agencies in 2025 and 2026. Applications for the next round of funding will be available in early 2025. The application and additional details will be available on the United Way of Walworth County’s website.

A board comprised of United Way of Walworth County committee members selected the grant recipients based on their application, submission of required documentation, and using a scoring rubric.