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 2024 Live United Mini-Grants Have Been Awarded

The United Way of Gloucester County is pleased to announce that 19 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 126 programs and has raised over $148,000 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 2024:

• • Angels Community Outreach provides a helping hand to those in need, offering clothing, food, and toiletries at no cost to families in the community. The Live United Mini-Grant will support the Healthy Bites for Kids – Kids Kitchen Creations program, equipping children with the skills and knowledge to prepare nutritious meals and snacks at home.
  • BookSmiles promotes literacy and a love of reading by distributing new or gently used books to children, laying the foundation for academic success. The Mini-Grant will enable the purchase of children’s books that would otherwise be discarded, allowing BookSmiles to provide kids in book deserts with personal libraries, fostering a lifelong passion for reading and learning.
  • Center for Independent Living of South Jersey (CIL-SJ) partners with people living with disabilities to promote independence and self-sufficiency. They run a weekly accessible drive-through pantry and offer free delivery to those without transportation. Mini-Grant funds will help stock the pantry with essential food and supplies for 120-160 individuals each month, many of whom are disabled and low-income.
  • Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) offers free support to New Jersey families facing pediatric cancer, including in-home counseling and assistance during financial hardships. With nearly 60% of ECF families living below the poverty line, the Mini-Grant will provide supermarket and gas gift cards, ensuring families can attend medical appointments and put food on the table during difficult times.
  • Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity builds homes, strengthens communities, and fosters hope. The Mini-Grant will support 10 Habitat homebuyers and low-income residents to complete the Financial Peace University course, providing essential money management skills and personalized guidance to help families achieve homeownership and financial stability.
  • Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries, Inc. will use the Live United Mini-Grant to support their Food Pantry program, purchasing shelf-stable items like breakfast cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables, and soup. This grant will supplement the pantry’s resources for one month, ensuring Gloucester County residents have access to balanced, nutritious meals.
  • Kitchen of Hope, Inc., an outreach ministry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Glassboro, NJ, is dedicated to fighting hunger and promoting good nutrition. Mini-Grant funds will support the KidzPack program, which provides free weekend meals to underprivileged elementary students in Glassboro Public Schools, ensuring they have access to healthy food outside of school hours.
  • Loving Our Cities, Inc. (LOC) strives to improve the quality of life by ensuring equitable access to food, healthcare, education, employment, and housing. The grant will support The Perfect Thanksgiving program, which addresses food insecurity and the public health crisis of loneliness by providing 400 children, adults, and seniors with nutritious meals and groceries during the holiday season.
  • Newfield Terrace Community Action Organization enriches the lives of seniors and youth through family engagement and enrichment programs. The Live United Mini-Grant will fund their Mental Health & Aging Workshop series, bringing a qualified mental health professional to lead a 5-part series for residents over the age of 55.
  • Partners in Learning (grant supported by Women United funds) delivers high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs for young children with autism spectrum disorder, offering an inclusive early childhood education environment. Mini-Grant funding will support the A Place to Learn, Play, and Grow program, covering the purchase of equipment like Circle Time Carpets, a Quiet Time Privacy Cube, and cushions to create an enriched learning space.
  • Paulsboro Midget Football Organization has provided youth in Paulsboro with football and cheerleading opportunities for over 40 years. The Mini-Grant will support their Caring Closet, which supplies essential personal care items, such as hair care products, body wash, and deodorant. This initiative ensures that all youth in the program can access these basic hygiene necessities.
  • People for People Foundation of Gloucester County, Inc. will use the Mini-Grant to provide support for 8-10 veterans facing food insecurity and other needs. Their Combating Food Insecurity program assists individuals and families who are usually self-sufficient but have encountered unexpected hardships, with a special focus on supporting veterans.
  • Professional Trainers Advancing Humanity Initiative Inc. (P.T.A.H.) empowers young people to become leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and role models. The Mini-Grant will support the Young Entrepreneurs Soaring (Y.E.S.) program, a financial literacy and career development initiative that connects participants with experienced mentors and local businesses, offering hands-on training in money management, investing, and saving.
  • SHADOW Equestrian, Inc. provides affordable therapeutic riding lessons for children with physical and mental disabilities. Mini-Grant funds will be used to purchase trophies, ribbons, and certificates for students achieving their riding goals. This recognition, awarded during the annual Trail-a-Thon event, helps boost students’ confidence and sense of accomplishment.
  • South Jersey Dream Center will use the Mini-Grant to support their Weekly Curbside Resource Pickup program, which provides food, clothing, household items, and essential baby supplies to those in need. The grant will fund grocery gift cards for program participants, helping families secure necessary items to support their well-being.
  • The Better Give Back Foundation, Inc. (TBGBF) connects higher education institutions with local communities. The Mini-Grant will support It’s a Different World with Creatives on Campus (IADW w. CROC), a 5-episode series airing from September 1, 2024, to August 30, 2025. This initiative, led by post-secondary students, equips high school learners (grades 9-12) with essential life skills for success after graduation.
  • The Lighthouse Community Center helps individuals navigate life’s challenges through education, mentoring, and life skills training while addressing their physical, emotional, and relational needs. The Mini-Grant will support the Free Hot Meal Distribution program, which serves over 400 nutritious meals each month. Funds will be used to purchase groceries, fresh produce, and containers for distribution.
  • Viola’s Place, Inc. supports women and children by helping them find safe housing and providing youth empowerment programs. The Mini-Grant will fund an entrepreneurship curriculum for the YES GIRL & KING ME programs, offering workshops and resources to help youth develop small businesses, fostering education, skill-building, and overall well-being.
  • Your Place At The Table (YPATT) is committed to nourishing and empowering families in need. The Mini-Grant will support the purchase of fresh produce, milk, and eggs for approximately 80 families, serving over 200 individuals. This grant ensures that these families have access to nutritious food for over 2 months.