The Community Impact Grant is designed to:

• Advance measurable outcomes that align with United Way’s four community priorities;
• Strengthen collaboration among community partners and systems;
• Leverage shared data and evaluation to inform decision-making; and
• Center equity and lived experience in addressing community needs.

Applicants are encouraged to review the funding priorities, outcomes, and outputs outlined in this packet to ensure alignment. Each agency may submit one application, with the option to allocate funds across multiple programs or activities internally.

All funded efforts must demonstrate:

1. A direct connection to at least one of United Way’s funding targets;
2. A clear measurement plan for outputs and outcomes; and
3. A commitment to collaboration, accountability, and transparency.

Funding priorities, grant requirements, and design, as well as intended outputs, are reviewed annually, and are subject to change based on the discretion of United Way staff and volunteer leaders. 

All approved applicants must sign and adhere to a formal grant agreement, including reporting timelines, United Way fundraising efforts, and community relations. Requirements and expectations outlined in this packet are guaranteed for the current year of submission only. 

Application Timeline

All applicants are required to attend at least one FY27 Grant Orientation in order to submit an application. 

Register below:

January 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM

For questions regarding the application, email kacip@unitedwaygbacc.org

REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A FUNDED PARTNER

All applicants must be able to demonstrate how their mission aligns with the United Way mission, as well as our four focus areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. 

The Community Impact grant is a one-year grant, that runs from July 2026 to June 2027. All awarded dollars must be spent and reported on during the scope of the grant cycle. Funding for programs through the Community Impact Grant is competitive, and based on information submitted. All proposals are reviewed and approved by community volunteers and donors, and the United Way Board of Directors.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must demonstrate alignment with United Way’s mission and the following minimum standards:

Nonprofit Status
Be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, governmental entity, or educational institution recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS.

Service Area
Provide services benefiting residents within United Way’s 11-zip code service area:
77520, 77521, 77522, 77523, 77560, 77562, 77580, 77597, 77514, 77661, and 77665.

Program Focus
Deliver human service programs that directly align with at least one of United Way’s four strategic funding areas.

Financial Accountability
Provide current, clean financial documentation prepared or reviewed by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), appropriate to organizational size.

Program Logic Model
Submit a Program Logic Model that illustrates program inputs, activities, outcomes, and long-term community goals.

Program Clarity & Measurability
Clearly defined scope of services, funding request, and measurable outputs and outcomes tied to United Way’s impact framework.

Operational Readiness
Maintain consistent hours of operation that match the scale and nature of the services offered.

Data Capacity
Demonstrate the ability now, and in the future, to track and report client demographic data, including (but not limited to) age, gender, race, family size, and verified income.

Community Collaboration
Show evidence of meaningful collaboration with other organizations, including warm referrals, shared programming, and participation in collective community efforts.

Governance
Maintain an active Board of Directors with defined term limits, meeting schedules, and appropriate oversight functions.

COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP

Funded Partners represent United Way in the community and share in our collective responsibility to drive positive change. Successful applicants will:

• Participate in quarterly partnership meetings and reporting check-ins;

• Engage in community impact storytelling and campaign promotion; and

• Uphold United Way’s commitment to equity, transparency, and results-based accountability.

  ---

FUNDING LIMITATIONS

To ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment with United Way’s mission, the following funding limitations apply to all Community Impact Grant applicants and funded partners. Funding must directly support approved program activities and demonstrate measurable community impact within the defined grant cycle.

GENERAL LIMITATIONS

1. Application Limit – Each agency may submit one (1) application per grant cycle.

2. Funding Cap – Applicants may request no more than $175,000 total.

3. Indirect Cost Cap – Indirect costs may not exceed 25% of the total program request.

4. Salary and Personnel Costs –

Agencies requesting funding for staff positions must be able to document and verify staff time spent on program-related activities.

Time and effort records must clearly distinguish between work performed on the program(s) proposed under this grant application and other organizational activities.

Salary allocations must be reasonable, consistent, and supported by clear documentation of role responsibilities.

5. Executive Leadership Salaries – Salary expenses for Executive Director or CEO positions may not be included in direct program costs, but may be incorporated as part of allowable indirect expenses.

6. Indirect-Only Budgets – Budgets composed solely of indirect or administrative costs will not be considered for funding.

7. Unallowable or Unsupported Costs – Any expense that cannot be clearly linked to approved program activities, outputs, or measurable outcomes will not be eligible for consideration of funding.

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES

United Way funds must be used solely for approved program activities. The following costs are not eligible for funding consideration:

1. Marketing or fundraising expenses, including but not limited to branded materials and attire, advertising, or outreach campaigns.

2. Board of Directors expenses, such as D&O insurance, retreats, or administrative costs.

3. Capital improvements or equipment purchases, including buildings, renovations, or vehicles.

4. Debt reduction or repayment of any kind.

5. Political or lobbying activities.

6. Expenses incurred outside of the approved scope of work, or activities not explicitly included in the submitted grant application.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP

ACCOUNTABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP

United Way expects all funded partners to exercise sound financial management, accurate documentation, and responsible stewardship of community resources.

All program expenditures must be:

• Directly tied to approved activities and measurable outcomes;

• Reasonable and necessary to carry out the proposed program; and

• Supported by verifiable records demonstrating alignment with the purpose of the grant.

Failure to maintain adequate documentation, demonstrate clear linkage between expenses and outcomes, or comply with these limitations may result in disallowed costs, funding adjustments, or ineligibility for future awards. United Way reserves the right to request documentation or conduct site visits to verify compliance.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

United Way views reporting as a tool for learning, transparency, and continuous improvement—not just compliance. Timely and accurate reports ensure that community investments are used effectively and help demonstrate the collective impact of our local network of partners. 

Funded partners are required to submit quarterly reports on the status of their approved program funding. Reporting is completed through e-CImpact, United Way’s online grant management system, and serves as a key accountability tool to demonstrate progress, outcomes, and community impact.

Each report must include, but is not limited to, the following elements:

Program Narratives – Updates on program activities, internal changes, participant outcomes, impact stories, and overall program trends over time.

Participant Data – Number of unduplicated participants, reported by zip code within United Way’s service area.

Participant Demographics - aggregate participant demographic data for the quarter. This data helps United Way understand who is being served, identify gaps, and ensure equitable impact across the community. Agencies should report totals only — no personally identifiable client data is collected or stored. Demographic reporting includes total unduplicated participants by:

Race / Ethnicity (categories consistent with U.S. Census designations)

Gender

Age Group

Household Income Range

Volunteer Engagement – Total number of volunteers contributing to the program and the calculated value of volunteer time.

Collaboration Efforts – Summary of cross-organizational partnerships and direct collaborative efforts supporting program outcomes.

Financial Accountability – Annual expense audit documenting the use of awarded funds and comparison to approved budget categories.

Targeted Outputs – Reporting unduplicated participant totals for United Way’s defined impact outputs based on the focus area(s) identified in the application. Programs aligned with multiple focus areas must track and report outputs for each selected area.

TIMELINESS AND COMPLIANCE

Reports are due quarterly according to the schedule outlined in the grant agreement. Missed reporting deadlines will result in administrative fees applied to the next disbursement. Reports submitted 10 or more days past due will result in payment delay until the following quarter. Continued late or incomplete reporting may impact future funding eligibility or current award continuation.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Each section of the Community Impact Grant application in e-CImpact is designed to provide reviewers with a clear picture of your organization’s mission, capacity, and measurable community impact. Failure to supply the correct financial documents, financial documents that do not demonstrate sound financial practices, will result in disqualified applications without consideration for funding. 
 

Required Application Attachments

IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter – proof of federal nonprofit status.

Current Board of Directors roster – including member names, professional affiliations, term limits, and meeting frequency.

Organizational Chart – showing staff structure and key program leadership.

Non-Discrimination and Conflict of Interest Policies – signed and adopted by the organization’s governing body.

Organizational Logic Model – demonstrating how internal programs lead to the overall goals and mission of the organization, and alignment with United Way.

Financial Documents - demonstrating sound financial practices and oversight.

Tax Form 990

Finanical audit, review, or compilation

Last board approved operational budget

Statement of Activity, or Fund Statement

Program Budget - demonstrating the budget breakdown for each program and the total ask being made

FINANCIAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must submit financial documentation for review by United Way volunteer leadership. All financial documentation is kept confidential. Acceptable documents are listed in the table below with qualifications for each document.