Funding Opportunity for Nonprofits that Serve Wheeling Township

Nonprofit organizations provide vital community programs and services, but experience challenges because they don’t profit from the delivery of these services – and funding is often critical to help fulfill their missions. That’s where Wheeling Township comes in. For the last four decades, the Township has provided supportive funding to organizations that serve our youth, those with mental health issues, intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD), substance use disorders, as well as other health and social service organizations that serve and benefit Township residents.

“Helping residents gain reasonable access to critical services continues to be a key focus of Wheeling Township’s Board,” said Wheeling Township Supervisor Kathleen Penner. “Townships are the level of government closest to the people, and our goals are to ensure that those who are hungry receive food, those experiencing financial or mental health crises are supported, and that our youth, older and disabled residents have a variety of services available to them. That’s why providing funding to local nonprofits is so important to us.”

Wheeling Township recognizes the need to offer, serve, and support human services, whether that be directly or indirectly. Most specifically, the Township is aware of the ever-increasing mental health crisis. To that end, in addition to the many human service programs offered through the Township, more than 25 local human service organizations and nonprofit groups received funds this year, as in past years, including many that specifically address mental health, homelessness, IDD, sexual assault, substance use disorders, child abuse and senior services.

Supervisor Penner added, “highly talented, skilled specialists staff organizations the Township helps to fund, who are addressing our community’s mental and physical health challenges and do so with firmness of purpose and dedicated resources. The Township recognizes the opportunity to offer this type of support so that residents have access to the assistance they need.”

Where do the Township’s supportive funding dollars come from? Residents’ property taxes, which, in Wheeling Township, amounts to an estimated less than 1% of the average homeowner’s tax bill.

The Township is always interested in new funding opportunities, so nonprofit organizations which fall under the mental health, human services, or youth services umbrella are encouraged to apply for grants. The 2025 – 2026 Funding Applications – which are due September 26, 2024 - will be available on the Township website in mid-August: at wheelingtownship.com. Depending on their area of focus, all agencies requesting funding for the first time will be required to present information on their organization to either the Wheeling Township Mental Health Board or the Wheeling Township Board to be considered.

Specialized agencies that currently receive funding include: Ascension Center for Mental Health, Avenues to Independence, Northwest Compass, Center of Concern, Center For Enriched Living, Children’s Advocacy Center, Clearbrook, Connections to Care, Family Forward, The Harbour, Journeys/The Road Home, KAN-WIN, Kindred Life Ministries, Life Span, Little City Foundation, NCH/Endeavor Mobile Dental Clinic, Omni Youth Services, Resources for Community Living, Shelter, Inc., Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary’s, Suburban Primary Health Care, The Josselyn Center and WINGS.

Wheeling Township continues to make a significant difference in the community…as it has since 1850.