Women United, an affinity group of United Way of Marathon County, is accepting grant applications from nonprofits working to lift women, their families, and the community to financial stability. The application deadline is Nov. 1. Money raised at the annual Power of the Purse auction is used to support the grants. Last year, Women United distributed more than $100,000 in grants. Childcaring Inc. was one of the recipients. That money was used to support the program’s Good Start Grants which helped families pay for a portion of childcare so parents can work. Women United members come together to create a better place for local women who are facing various hardships in their life by raising awareness, money, and resources to help bridge the documented gaps in services.