Apply for funding

• 9/30/2020: Stakeholder meeting: 2021 Community Impact Investment Priorities & Funding  |  Watch video
  
• 10/08/2020: OPEN - Letter of Intent available (Link to submit the LOI into our e-CImpact software site will be available on Oct. 8)
  
• 10/08/2020: Training - virtual training session: Childhood Success, Youth Success & Access to Health Priorities;  Q & A  |  Watch video
  
• 10/30/2020: DEADLINE - Letter of Intent due
  
• 11/20/2020: OPEN - Eligible programs invited to submit Request for Proposal
  
• 12/01/2020: Training - virtual training session: e-CImpact software (These links will be emailed to eligible applicants, not publicly available)
  
• 12/10/2020: Training - - virtual training session: Indicators & reporting (These links will be emailed to eligible applicants, not publicly available)
  
• 12/30/2020: DEADLINE - Request for Proposal due
  
• 3/31/2021: Notification - Programs notified of funding award

Step One - Letter of Intent: The application for funding process begins with the Letter of Intent (LOI).  The LOI is designed as a preparation and screening tool and is open to all organizations incorporated as a non-profit organization by the state of Ohio who have tax- status under IRS code 501(c) 3. Programs must serve Stark and/or Carroll County Ohio residents.

In addition to a concise program description, the LOI should convey how the program aligns with UWGSC investment priorities, what community need is addressed by the program and how UWGSC funds will be used to operate the program. 

Letters of Intent will be evaluated by a council of volunteer-citizen reviewers (United Community Impact Council). Their recommendations are forwarded to the volunteer leadership of the Community Impact division of United Way (Community Investment Committee), which consists of subject-matter experts, community leaders and the council chair/vice chair.  These volunteer leaders make final recommendations for programs to be invited to continue in the application by process by submitting a full Request for Proposal.

Step Two - Request for Proposal: The Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by invitation to organizations that succeed in the LOI process. The RFP provides detailed content including the program’s use of best practices/evidence-based models, goals and objectives, operations, partner roles, and budget.

Proposal evaluations are conducted by volunteer-citizen reviewers (United Community Impact Council) using a standardized rubric. If additional clarification is needed, applicants may be asked to provide a brief virtual presentation to reviewers. Reviewers’ recommendations are forwarded to the volunteer leadership of the Community Impact division of United Way (Community Investment Committee) for consideration.  These volunteer leaders make funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. Based on available funding, the Board of Directors makes all final funding determinations.

New agencies – those not funded for the 2019-2020 year - who are invited to submit an RFP must also successfully complete an Agency Review process. New organizations that complete an LOI will receive instructions on how to complete an Agency Review. The Agency Review process is a biennial assessment of the health and stability of an agency. Volunteers with expertise in administration and/or finance review pertinent agency documentation and conduct interviews with applicants. Agencies funded for 2019-2020 completed Agency Reviews earlier this year.

Applications supporting the Economic Mobility priority will not be a part of this funding process. United Way will work with employees and employers to identify gaps and needs in the workplace. We will develop a collaboration with agencies to leverage solutions and services for filing these gaps. We plan to consider funding opportunities for gaps in services, in a separate process sometime in future.