Metro United Way makes special emergency funds available to nonprofits

With many charities facing grave financial conditions because of the recession, Metro United Way is making $475,000 available to area nonprofits.

Traditionally, United Way doesn’t distribute money collected in its annual giving campaign until after July 1.

But Joe Tolan, United Way president and chief executive officer, said that many local nonprofits have been forced to decrease staff, close programs, cut staff training, and limit the number of people served because of funding cuts.