(Stark and Carroll Counties, Ohio) October 6, 2020 – Funding will be determined through a competitive process. To be eligible to apply for funding, organizations must be incorporated as a non-profit organization by the state of Ohio and have tax- status under IRS code 501(c) 3.
Timeline for RFP:
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 | Register for Oct 8, 9 AM meeting | Register for Oct 8, 4 PM meeting
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
12/10/2020: Training – virtual training session: Indicators & reporting
12/30/2020: DEADLINE – Request for Proposal due
3/31/2021: Notification – Programs notified of funding award
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 United Way investment priorities, what community need is addressed by the program and how United Way 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.
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.
Funding has already been set aside to meet the community’s emergency and basic needs funding, i.e. homeless and domestic violence shelters, utility assistance and mortgage/rent payments. These programs will not need to compete for funding during this process. Available funding for Basic Housing Needs is contingent upon the annual fundraising campaign dollars.
Applications supporting the Economic Mobility priority will not be part of this funding process. United Way will work with employees and employers to identify identifying gaps and needs in the workplace and 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.
Please join us October 8 for a virtual Q & Q training session. Pre-registration is required, and capacity is limited. To ensure a fair funding process, we cannot meet individually with organizations.
Visit uwstark.org/rfp to register and learn more.
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445. ###