CHARLOTTE -- United Way of Central Carolinas has approved funding recommendations for the next fiscal year on Thursday. The group honed in on 3 key areas: children, health and housing.

While overall funding remained flat, about $16.5 million, some agencies will see an increase.

Workers at NC MedAssist already had hundreds of prescriptions to fill by the time they hit the office Thursday morning. The non-profit provides free medicine to the uninsured, approximately 10,000 people in Mecklenburg County alone.

“Our clients are picking up on average $500 a month in free medication,” said Kelly Musante from NC MedAssist.

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During the next fiscal year, the non-profit will be able to help even more people in the community.

Approximately 87 agencies in the Charlotte region will share about $16.5 million. Over 44 agencies will see more money, ranging between $5,000 and $77,000.

“Donations were up by almost $1 million, making it possible,” said executive director Jane McIntyre from United Way.

United Way based funding on each agency's impact on the community, sustainability and results. This year, the group honed in on three key areas: children, health, and housing, and in some cases, forcing partner agencies to consolidate their operations with other agencies doing similar things in order to get funding.

“The key is working with the agencies to help them focus more clearly on serving those most in need,” said McIntyre.

“It allows us to focus on what we want our core business to be,” said Phil Kline, president and CEO of United Family Services.

Kline learned today that his agency will get an additional $60,000 next year, most of which will help support their new 80-bed shelter.

“It was very critical to our plans to be able to serve the victims of domestic violence that we have this increase in funding because of the increase in spending,” said Kline.

MedAssist will see an additional $41,000.

“This is a great start, but there's a lot more to do,” said Musante.

United Way raised $20.9 million during its fund raising campaign, surpassing its goal by almost $500,000.

Despite that, the group still used $1.2 million from its stability fund to give to its partner agencies.