United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County Invests in the LOU Community to Create a Brighter Future

United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County’s Board of Directors has approved the organization’s fiscal year 2026-2027 grant awards, with $220,000 awarded to eligible applicants serving the Lafayette-Oxford-University community.

UWOLC will support 23 local programs and initiatives through its FY 2026-2027 grant cycle. Recipients such as Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, Interfaith Compassion Ministry and the Leap Frog Program will use the awarded funds to promote youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security and community resiliency.

“Our organization offers the means to support several worthwhile causes and Lafayette County residents of all ages through a one-time or recurring donation,” UWOLC Executive Director Kurt Brummett said. “It has been a difficult year for our community in multiple respects, and I encourage everyone with the ability to give to please do so as every contribution to United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County is an investment that yields incredible returns.”

Whether it entails a donation to support all of UWOLC’s program partners or a designated gift to a particular impact area or agency, Brummett said financial assistance is critical as nonprofits respond to the LOU community’s heightened needs.

“Our organization and the many programs we help fund depend on the generous support we receive,” Brummett said. “As local needs continue to grow and the resources available to address them struggle to keep pace, every donation to UWOLC makes a meaningful difference and no amount is too small as we partner to create a brighter future for our community.”

Volunteers from the LOU community lead UWOLC’s community investment process by rendering all reviews, recommendations and decisions. The multi-step process aims to ensure grant recipients will produce positive outcomes as they meet residents’ needs through their proposed programming.

“Our advisory and finance committee members along with our board have the unenviable task of addressing our community’s evolving needs with a comparatively limited amount of funding,” Brummett said. “I appreciate the tremendous dedication exhibited by the incredible volunteers who participated in our grant process this year along with our amazing supporters and partners as everyone unites to help our many neighbors in need.”

Through its annual community investment process and other contributions, UWOLC mobilizes the LOU community to action so all can thrive as it advances its mission to improve lives and meet community needs by uniting people and resources.

To learn more about the organization’s grant recipients, visit uwoxfordms.org/programs.

Press Release (PDF)