How to Apply for United Way Grants
United Way offers three opportunities for nonprofit organizations to apply for funding:
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Community Investment Grants (every other year)
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Women’s Leadership Council grants (annual)
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Emergency Food and Shelter Program (annual)
Community Investment Grants
2012-2014 Funding Cycle Key Changes
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We have eliminated the Letter of Interest for the 2012-2014 funding cycle. This reduces paperwork for our applicants and for us and also extends the amount of time applicants have to complete their proposals.
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Applicants are asked to submit their proposals electronically this year. This is a transition from a process that used a lot of paper to an electronic submittal process. Applicants will be asked to submit their proposal in .pdf format.
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Food Banks will submit a joint proposal. Food banks are invited to a meeting on January 18, 2012 from 3:30pm – 5:00pm at United Way of Thurston County.
Community Investment Grant applicants are asked to submit their applications as two .pdf files. Package the files as follows:
PDF 1:
Cover Sheet
Narrative and Program Information (6 pages maximum)
Program Logic Model
UWTC Program Financial Form or program’s current budget
Organization’s current operating budget
Most recent annual report
PDF 2:
List of current board members with titles and affiliations
Most recent IRS Form 990
Most recent audited financial statements
Copy of IRS determination letter*
Proof of charitable registration status from the Washington Secretary of State’s Office*
*If you have submitted your IRS Determination letter and your WA Secretary of State proof of charitable registration status to United Way of Thurston County in the past several years and they are still current, you are not required to submit them again.
Adobe Acrobat® software will allow you to package your files into one .pdf. If you don’t have this program another useful tool is “PDF Split and Merge,” a free program that you can download at www.pdfsam.org
You may contact United Way of Thurston County (sblumhagen@unitedway-thurston.org) if you need technical assistance with electronic submission of your application.
United Way awards Community Investment Grants to 501c3 non-profit programs that strengthen our community in the areas of Education, Income and Health. Our goals for Thurston County are:
Education
Increase the percentage of children who enter kindergarten developmentally on track in terms of literacy, social and emotional skills. Increase the percentage of students prepared to succeed in school and increase high school graduation rates.
Income
Enhance individuals and families’ ability to meet their financial needs and reduce the percentage of individuals, children and families that are homeless.
Health
Increased access to services (e.g. affordable medical, dental, and mental health and prevention services) to improve health wellness and safety outcomes. Reduce hunger and food insecurity and increase good nutrition.
Funding Period
Community Investment grants are awarded on a two-year funding cycle. Programs are awarded a one-year grant that is renewed at the same amount for the second year. United Way Community Investment grants do not support capital projects, endowment funds or equipment.
How to apply for Community Investment Grants?
In January of 2012 a request for proposals will be posted. Grant applications will be due February 24, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.
Eligibility Requirements
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501 (c) (3) organization.
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Program provides services to Thurston County residents.
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Program provides services that are open to all without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation or presence of a disability.
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Grant request is $5,000 or greater. Previous years’ requests have been between $5000 and $40,000
- Request aligns with one of United Way’s three Impact Areas.
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Organization’s Executive Director and Board President agree to sign United Way of Thurston County ’s Memorandum of Understanding including USA Patriot Act “Anti-Terrorism Compliance Measures” form.
Women’s Leadership Council Grants
The Women’s Leadership Council ... Women Making a Difference!
The Women's Leadership Council’s goal is to help women and girls acquire the life-long skills needed to support themselves and their families. As a program of United Way of Thurston County, their aim to inspire, educate and engage members in philanthropy, community service, advocacy and mentoring to help meet this goal.
The Women’s Leadership Council will post a request for proposals including the grant application and related forms in spring 2012. The following items are part of the WLC grant application:
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Program/project narrative
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Program/project budget
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Program/Project Development Model form
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Most recent IRS form 990
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Most recent annual report
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Most recent audit or financial statement
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Copy of IRS determination letter
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a federal program to provide supplemental assistance to social service agencies providing emergency food and shelter. This includes programs that provide food, overnight shelters and other programs providing emergency shelter and programs providing rental and utilities assistance.
How to apply for Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funding
The EFSP application will be posted here the first week of January as well as e-mailed to local non-profits. Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds are awarded yearly in early spring.
Click here to download the application for Emergency Food and Shelter Program grants.
To be added to the distribution list, please e-mail Stephanie Blumhagen, Grants and Financial Stability Manager, at sblumhagen@unitedway-thurston.org or call 360-943-2773 x 11.
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