Small Business Program

For only a dollar a day, or $365 a year, your business becomes a member of the LIVE UNITED 365 Small Business Circle. United Way of Gloucester County (UWGC) has created an easy, affordable, and effective way for companies with fewer than 35 employees to give back to their community. Being a 365 Small Business Circle member aligns your business with the strong LIVE UNITED brand, recognized as one of the Top 10 most recognizable nonprofit brands in the world. You will receive an exclusive LIVE UNITED 365 Small Business Circle decal to display and show your customers your commitment to the community, plus you’ll receive many other member benefits. Use your Google account to sign up for this important program electronically!

To learn more about the 365 Small Business Circle, please contact Donna Murphy at 856-845-4303 ext. 180 or donnamurphy@uwgcnj.org

Riggs Creative Group is proud to support our Gloucester County neighbors in need by being a 365 Small Business Circle member, and by offering 10% off the cost of your creative services (up to $100 value) to all those who participate in the employee giving program.

United Way of Gloucester County is Pleased to Announce
that the 2025 Live United Mini-Grants Have Been Awarded

The United Way of Gloucester County is pleased to announce that 16 local nonprofits will receive funding from the Live United Mini-Grant Program this year. These grants will go toward programs that provide services to Gloucester County residents. These funds were generated by the members of the Live United 365 Small Business Circle, an initiative for small businesses to give back to the community.

The investment made to UWGC by Members of the Live United 365 Small Business Circle has provided funding up to $1,000 for each program or agency to conduct life-changing work in Gloucester County. Since 2015, this initiative has supported 142 programs and has raised over $164,000 to provide life changing services to Gloucester County residents.

To learn more about the United Way of Gloucester County or to donate, please visit our website. For more information about the Live United Mini-Grant Program, contact Michael Gower, Executive Director, at 856-845-4303 ext. 140 or email at mgower@uwgcnj.org.

The following organizations received Mini-Grants for Year 2025:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Gloucester County – Academic Supplies. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Gloucester County provide a safe, supportive environment where children and teens can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Academic success is a core priority, and the Clubs’ Power Hour and other tutoring programs give students the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.

With United Way Mini-Grant support, the Clubs will purchase academic supplies—including paper, pencils, calculators, math remediation tools, and science kits—for use in daily homework help, small-group instruction, and enrichment activities. These resources will benefit more than 100 youth across Gloucester County during the 2025–26 school year, ensuring students have the tools they need to thrive academically. By reducing barriers to learning and providing high-quality educational support, the Clubs are helping close opportunity gaps and prepare the next generation for bright futures.

Because of you, children and teens in Gloucester County have the supplies and support they need to succeed in school and build stronger futures.

Emmanuel Cancer Foundation – Support for Families Facing Pediatric Cancer. The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) provides free, in-home support services for families in New Jersey facing the unimaginable challenge of pediatric cancer. The Southern Regional Center, based in Woodbury Heights, offers critical emotional and practical assistance to children in treatment and their families.

With United Way Mini-Grant support, ECF will distribute supermarket and gas gift cards to help at least 20 local families cover the costs of groceries and transportation to and from medical appointments. These cards provide immediate relief to families who are often overwhelmed by medical expenses, job disruptions, and the daily costs of living while caring for a sick child. By reducing financial stress, ECF allows families to focus on what matters most—supporting their child’s health and healing.

Because of you, families facing pediatric cancer will have the comfort of knowing their community stands beside them, helping to put food on the table and fuel in the car during their most difficult days.

Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries, Inc. – Food Pantry. GWCM’s Food Pantry serves more than 220 families each week, offering fresh produce, proteins, and shelf-stable foods. As a cooperative of 13 local churches, GWCM supplements USDA and Food Bank of South Jersey resources with purchased nutritious items to ensure families receive balanced support. The pantry also participates in the 2025 Summer Meals Program, providing children with five days’ worth of meals and snacks during the summer. Funding will help purchase essential items like cereal, peanut butter, tuna, pasta, and vegetables—reaching up to 500 individuals in a single week.

Because of You, families in need receive fresh, healthy food and compassionate care that nourishes both body and spirit.

Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity – Financial Peace University. Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity is committed to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through housing and financial empowerment. With support from the United Way Mini-Grant, Habitat will host Financial Peace University—a nine-week course equipping families with tools to budget wisely, manage debt, save for the future, and build lasting financial stability.

This program directly supports Habitat partner families and other local residents who want to take control of their finances, reduce financial stress, and achieve long-term stability. By covering the cost of curriculum materials, the grant ensures that 25–30 participants can attend at no cost, making the program accessible to those who need it most.

Because of you, families in Gloucester County are learning how to break the cycle of debt, build savings, and create a more secure future for themselves and their children.

King’s Things – Food Pantry. King’s Things Food Pantry in Swedesboro provides essential groceries to families struggling with food insecurity in Gloucester County. The pantry serves hundreds of individuals each month, offering staple foods and fresh items that help families stretch tight budgets while ensuring access to nutritious meals.

With United Way Mini-Grant support, King’s Things will purchase chicken and ground beef to supplement pantry distributions. This funding ensures families not only have canned and dry goods but also protein-rich foods that are often the hardest for low-income households to afford. The program will directly benefit more than 100 families in the coming months, improving both health and food security in the community.

Because of you, families who would otherwise go without can sit down to a healthy, balanced meal that includes fresh protein and nourishment.

Lauren Rose Albert Foundation / Mothers Matter – Toiletry Gift Bag Program. The Mothers Matter Toiletry Gift Bag Program is a volunteer-driven initiative that brings comfort, dignity, and encouragement to women in Gloucester County facing hardships such as financial strain, unstable housing, serious illness, or caregiving stress. Caring volunteers prepare and distribute gift bags filled with 18–22 essential personal care products—items that many women in crisis cannot easily afford but that make a meaningful difference in their daily lives.

United Way Mini-Grant funding will support the purchase of toiletries such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and other essentials, with supplies for 58–60 women in need. More than just hygiene products, these gift bags provide a message of care and hope from the community.

Because of you, women in crisis feel seen, supported, and uplifted with the simple dignity of personal care and the reassurance that their community cares about them.

Newfield Terrace Community Action Organization – Youth Tutoring. The Newfield Terrace Community Action Organization (NTCAO) is dedicated to empowering youth and families through education, mentorship, and community programming. Its Youth Academic Achievement & Success Program provides tutoring and academic support to help students improve grades, build study skills, and gain confidence in the classroom.

With United Way Mini-Grant funding, NTCAO will provide tutoring sessions for at least 8 local youth, offering one-on-one and small-group instruction tailored to each child’s academic needs. These sessions will help close learning gaps, reduce disparities in educational achievement, and create brighter opportunities for success in school and beyond. By investing in young people, the program strengthens the entire community—ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive academically.

Because of you, students in Newfield will receive the tutoring and encouragement they need to succeed in school and build stronger futures.

Partners in Learning – Learning and Growing Outdoors. Partners in Learning, Inc. provides early childhood education and behavioral health programs that help children learn, grow, and thrive. The Learning and Growing Outdoors project enhances outdoor play and learning opportunities for toddlers, promoting both physical development and social-emotional growth.

With United Way Mini-Grant support (supported by Women United funds), Partners in Learning will purchase outdoor play equipment—including a scooter trike, toddler table, play tunnel, and active play kits—that encourages safe, age-appropriate exploration. These tools will directly benefit dozens of young children by fostering motor skills, teamwork, imagination, and healthy activity in an outdoor setting. By creating safe and stimulating play environments, the program reduces barriers to learning and ensures that all children—regardless of background—have the opportunity to develop skills that prepare them for long-term educational success.

Because of you, toddlers in Gloucester County will have the chance to play, explore, and grow in safe and engaging outdoor learning spaces.

Professional Trainers Advancing Humanity Initiative Inc. – Young Entrepreneurs Soaring (Y.E.S.). The Young Entrepreneurs Soaring (Y.E.S.) Program empowers youth ages 10–16 with the skills, resources, and confidence to turn their passions into real businesses. Through six to eight weeks of interactive workshops led by experienced entrepreneurs and professional mentors, participants learn essential financial literacy, budgeting, marketing, and customer service skills. Each receives seed funding to launch or expand their business, culminating in a community Pop-Up Shop Event where they showcase and sell their products.

With support from the United Way Mini-Grant, the program will provide direct investment in ten youth entrepreneurs, along with marketing, training materials, and promotional support for their ventures. These opportunities remove barriers that too often limit access for young people in low- and moderate-income communities, equipping them to build financial stability and long-term economic resilience. The ripple effects extend beyond the classroom: each Pop-Up Shop engages 150–200 community members, strengthening local connections while spotlighting youth innovation. Families benefit from increased household earnings, while Gloucester County gains the next generation of small-business leaders.

Because of you, young people discover their potential as entrepreneurs, gaining the skills to create brighter economic futures.

Rowan College of South Jersey Foundation – Healthy Care Kit Project. The Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) Foundation supports student success through programs that remove barriers and promote well-being. The Healthy Care Kit Project is a wellness initiative designed to equip at least 50 students with personal care kits that support both physical and mental health. Each kit contains hygiene supplies, illness prevention items, and wellness resources to help students maintain confidence, protect themselves from germs, and practice healthy habits in shared spaces. By addressing both physical health and emotional resilience, the project promotes overall student success and reduces the risk of illness-related disruptions.

United Way Mini-Grant funding will provide the materials needed for this project, covering illness prevention supplies, wellness care items, printed resources, and the care kit bags themselves.

Because of you, students at Rowan College of South Jersey will have the tools they need to stay healthy, confident, and focused on achieving their academic goals.

SHADOW Equestrian – Tuition Assistance. SHADOW Equestrian, Inc. provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons that promote physical, emotional, and social well-being for children and adults with disabilities. Through the Tuition Assistance Program, families in Gloucester County who face financial barriers can access lessons that improve strength, coordination, self-confidence, and independence.

United Way Mini-Grant funding will provide tuition support directly to local participants based on need, ensuring that every rider—regardless of their financial situation—can benefit from this healing experience. The program will serve approximately 10–12 riders from Gloucester County, giving them access to a safe, supportive environment where they can grow and thrive.

Because of you, children and adults with special needs in Gloucester County gain strength, confidence, and joy through the power of therapeutic riding.

South Jersey Dream Center – Grocery Distribution Program. The South Jersey Dream Center provides hope and help to families struggling with poverty by meeting their most basic needs. Through its Grocery Distribution Program, the Dream Center offers a dignified “marketplace” shopping experience where families can select the foods they need most, including fresh produce, dairy, and shelf-stable items.

With United Way Mini-Grant support, the Dream Center will purchase butter and cheese—essential items often missing from food donations but highly valued by families. This investment will directly benefit hundreds of Gloucester County residents who visit the Dream Center each month, ensuring they have access to both healthy and nourishing food.

Because of you, families who are struggling to make ends meet will be able to put wholesome food—including dairy essentials—on their tables.

St. Peter’s Community Pantry – “Fill the Shelves”. St. Peter’s Community Pantry provides food to families in need throughout Gloucester County, helping them stretch limited resources while maintaining access to healthy, nutritious meals. Each month, the pantry serves hundreds of individuals, supplementing USDA and Food Bank of South Jersey resources with perishable items like milk, eggs, butter, cheese, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

With the Fill the Shelves initiative, United Way funding will cover the cost of purchasing one full month’s worth of fresh foods for pantry clients—meeting both their health and financial stability needs. This ensures families not only have enough food to eat but also receive balanced, nutrient-rich groceries that support long-term wellness.

Because of you, children, seniors, and families across Gloucester County will have fresh, healthy food on their tables and the security of knowing their community cares.

The Better Giveback Foundation – It’s A Different World with Creatives on Campus Podcast. The Better Giveback Foundation (TBGBF, Inc.) empowers youth and young adults through education, mentorship, and creative opportunities that build leadership and resilience. Its It’s A Different World with Creatives on Campus podcast provides a platform for local college students to discuss issues of education, mental health, and financial preparedness—while developing communication and leadership skills in the process.

With United Way Mini-Grant support, TBGBF will purchase additional studio microphones and an audio interface, expanding the reach and quality of the podcast. This project will serve students across the 2025–2026 academic year, giving them a voice to share their experiences, inspire their peers, and spark meaningful conversations about success in and beyond the classroom. By amplifying young voices and creating space for dialogue, the program reduces disparities in access to mentorship and resources while equipping students with the skills and confidence to succeed.

Because of you, college students in Gloucester County have a platform to share their voices, build leadership skills, and inspire others through education and creativity.

Viola’s Place, Inc. – YES Girl & Young Kings Program. Viola’s Place inspires, educates, and empowers youth through programs that nurture confidence, leadership, and self-worth. With United Way support, the YES GIRL & YOUNG KINGS programs will launch an entrepreneurship curriculum that helps middle and high school students build skills in leadership, financial empowerment, and innovation. Participants will have opportunities to design and explore small business ventures, strengthening academic motivation while preparing for brighter futures.

Because of you, local boys and girls are gaining the confidence to lead, the tools to succeed in school, and the resources to dream big as future entrepreneurs.

Your Place At The Table (YPATT) – Pop-Up Pantry (PUP) Program. Your Place At The Table (YPATT) addresses food insecurity by bringing healthy, ready-to-enjoy meals and fresh groceries directly to families in need. Through its Pop-Up Pantry (PUP) Program, YPATT creates mobile food distribution sites that meet people where they are, removing transportation and access barriers that many struggling families face.

With United Way Mini-Grant funding, YPATT will provide meals and groceries—including lunchmeat, cheese, lettuce, fresh produce, and snacks—to feed approximately 600 individuals during summer 2026. These pop-up events not only fill immediate hunger needs but also build connections and reduce disparities by reaching families who may not otherwise access traditional food pantries.

Because of you, hundreds of neighbors will have fresh meals and healthy food this summer, ensuring no one is left hungry or forgotten.