SAFFORD — The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties waited until nearly the final day of the year to announce its total in grant funding in 2025, due to the uncertain economy’s impact on nonprofit organizations.
In November, the local United Way made $26,000 available in emergency grants to food banks and pantries in the two counties, and United Way officials waited to see if additional requests would be made in December.
“We haven’t had anybody reach out to us,” said Amanda Patterson, grants manager for United Way. “I feel like the people who did reach out to us feel like they were in pretty good shape, and we haven’t had any others.”
With no additional emergency requests, the total granted by United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties in 2025 was $2.9 million, broken down into:
- 171 programs and projects funded through 45 Large Cycle grants
- 87 Monthly grants
- 23 Sponsorships
- 9 Holiday Giving grants
- 6 Emergency grants
In addition, United Way funded multiple scholarships through the Eastern Arizona College Foundation.
“We have had the privilege of working alongside the local nonprofits, schools and municipalities who provide vital programs, projects, and services to the citizens in both counties. These organizations work nonstop year round to ensure the health, education, and economic needs are met in our communities,” United Way officials wrote in a social media posting.
“United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties would like to thank our generous donors: Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, our employee giving programs through Freeport, City of Safford, Graham County, Town of Thatcher and all of our private donors. Thank you, donors, for your generosity and the trust you place in us; we truly could not do what we do without you. Because of you, we live here, give here and thrive here.”
