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Community Corner

United Way announces $3 million Dare to Forget the Box! prizes

The problems we face in Greater Atlanta cannot be solved by traditional solutions alone. These issues require that we think outside the box and dare to develop and implement new answers for challenges in education, income, health and homelessness.  Today, United Way of Greater Atlanta announces the $3 million Dare to Forget the Box! prizes that will support organizations in their efforts to solve these problems with fresh ideas.

The goal of United Way’s Dare to Forget the Box! prizes is to help organizations and partners address the systemic issues in their communities. All submissions for the prize require three to five organizations to collaborate in solving an issue.

According to Milton J. Little, Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta, helping foster sustainable change in communities requires a collaborative approach. Little said, “Our expectation is that the $3 million will generate creative approaches to developing and implementing sustainable efforts to drive community change. In addition, we hope the prizes will encourage further dialogue and collaboration as we continue working with our partner agencies to improve lives across our 13-county region.

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“Repeatedly, studies have shown that where you live can impact your quality of life. We are committed to bridging the disparities gap in economic stability, access to health care and education outcomes that exist between the various zip codes, because your zip code may determine where you live and how you live, but it shouldn’t determine how long you live,” said Little.

The Dare to Forget the Box! prizes are available at three different levels: one at $500,000; one at $300,000 and two at $100,000 each over the next three years.

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United Way will fund integrated and boldly innovative programs that bring community organizations, businesses and the public/private sectors together to create community-level changes that address issues caused and exacerbated by poverty. These are the very issues that unnecessarily limit the educational attainment, income potential and the life expectancy of many people in Greater Atlanta.

To express your interest in submitting a proposal and to learn more about the Dare to Forget the Box! prizes, visit www.unitedwayatlanta.org/ftb. The deadline to indicate interest is Oct. 9, 2013. Completed proposals are due Nov. 15.

 

 

About United Way of Greater Atlanta

Our United Way is the second-largest in the nation with more than $80 million in fundraising annually. We invest in more than 200 programs in 13 counties through the Community Impact Fund and work with them to help children succeed in school, improve financial stability of families, provide affordable and accessible health care and end homelessness. For more information, visit unitedwayatlanta.org.

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