United Way officially expands to Carroll County

United Way, one of the U.S.’s largest nonprofits, is expanding its services to Carroll County in replacement of the Carroll County United Fund, which was dissolved in 2021.

The nonprofit’s Lafayette branch announced plans to launch a new United Way northeast of Lafayette in Carroll County, according to an Aug. 5 press release.

Tom Murtaugh, the board president of United Way of Greater Lafayette, said he was excited to partner with Carroll County and provide their services there.

“And if they can’t necessarily be provided, make sure that there’s a collaboration with the social services that we have here,” Murtaugh said.

United Way was ready to help out in Carroll County years ago said Jennifer Million, chief operating officer of United Way of Greater Lafayette.

“Once (Carroll County United Fund) dissolved, that made Carroll County a part of our service area,” Million said. “From a United Way Worldwide standpoint, they want all counties in the United States to at least be covered. Whether United Way is active and functional and providing services is a different story.”

In other words, although Carroll County became a part of their service area years ago, United Way did not have the resources to be functional in the county at the time.

“Right at that same time was when we were expanding into Montgomery County, and there was no way we could take on Carroll and Montgomery at the same time,” Million said. “We’re now established in Montgomery County and expanding to Carroll County.”

One of the many programs United Way offers is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Through it, they recruit volunteers and train them using IRS materials and software so they can help families file their taxes.

“We offer free tax preparation for households that make less than $78,000 and we’ve been doing that program here for about 15 years,” Million said.

The program would be a good way to start United Way service in Carroll County, services which would be expanded when needed, she said.

The amount of funds United Way hopes to raise for its expansion is $4.6 million, according to Million.

“We hope to raise that much money so that we can invest in our funded partners and ensure that programs and services continue,” Million said.

Million believes support from the community will help them reach their goal.

“The community has been very receptive,” she said. “They’ve understood what we’re trying to do, and we’re really excited about this expansion.”