The Elizabethton/Carter County United Way provides supplemental funding to a number of different agencies throughout Carter County to help them provide essential services for their clients.

As the 2015 campaign draws to a close, the United Way is preparing for ways it can serve its agencies. Part of that process is selecting the agencies that will be the recipients of the 2015 campaign dollars.

“Any agency that is interested has to apply,” United Way Director Cheri Tinney said. “This includes the agencies that are already getting contributions from the United Way.”

The current agencies that receive funding from the United Way this year are the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton, the Boy Scouts Seqouyah Council, Adult Day Services, Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center, Personal Support Services, American Red Cross, Assistance and Resource Ministries, Contact Ministries and the Elizabethton Neighborhood Service Center.

The United Way focuses on three main categories of support for the community: education, health and income. Each of the agencies that receive funding from the United Way fall into one of these categories in some way.

For the education-based agencies, the organizations focus on providing a safe after-school environment, recreation or fitness programs, education enrichment, personal care and opportunities for friendship, Tinney said.

“We are focused on helping children and youth succeed,” she said. “We want to make sure these children have a healthy environment to be in and have their needs met.”

Senior care is the focus for health-based agencies. These organizations make sure senior citizens maintain their independence, support caregivers, encourage self-sufficiency and keep seniors in their own homes as long as possible.

Income-focused agencies work to help their clients provide for their immediate needs through disaster relief, crisis intervention and providing food, shelter and utility assistance, Tinney said.

While the applications for agencies for the 2015 campaign are open to any interested agency, there are some requirements those organizations have to meet before they are eligible, United Way Board of Directors Chairwoman Candy Craig said.

To apply, agencies have to be classified as a 501C3; have a completed audit along with an annual financial review; be in good financial standing and have an active board of directors.

Applications will be accepted until April 17. Interested agencies can get an application online at www.uwayecc.org or by email from director@uwayecc.org.

Some applications have already been received, Tinney said. Other agencies have expressed interest but have not yet filed. After all the applications are received, they will be reviewed by a committee and the final selections will be made.