Outreach Charities

The UPWC funds a minimum of two (2) charities each year for a period of two (2) consecutive years. If the Outreach Committee feels a charity deserves an additional year of support, they may request that the Board of Directors allow an additional year.

Any UPWC member may suggest a charity that serves our local area for consideration in future outreach funding. The Outreach Committee considers many factors, including whether there are volunteer opportunities for members, whether it is a new effort requiring initial funding, and response to current community needs.

We have supported a variety of organizations through the years, including the Just for Girls Academy, SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center), Mothers Helping Mothers, PACE (Practical Academic Cultural Education), Manatee Children’s Services, Food Bank of Manatee, Children’s Guardian Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and many others. More than $100,000 plus numerous volunteer hours have been contributed to these charities in our first twenty years. The Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball is our annual fund-raising social event each year. We are supporting two charities for the current membership year: HOPE Family Services (the only domestic abuse center in Manatee County) and a first of its kind charity in Manatee County, Police Gift Cards, which Bradenton Police officers will use to help citizens in immediate need by providing $25 Publix gift cards.

All monies raised for a specific charity in a specific fiscal year are awarded to the charity in that same fiscal year.