how to apply

Community Support Grants

We are no longer accepting letters of inquiry for the Community Support grants.

Purpose

United Way invites Letters of Inquiry from applicants whose goals are aligned with our vision of ensuring that children in Lane County are successful in school and life. Community Support Grants are a intended to support projects and organizations whose efforts align with one or more of United Way’s priority outcome areas:

  1. Family health & stability: prioritizing access to food security, stable housing, and other basic needs for families and children, including and especially in rural communities in Lane County.

  2. Kindergarten readiness: prioritizing access to preschool and childcare, parenting supports, kindergarten transition programs, and other supports for vulnerable pre-k children.

  3. Elementary school success: prioritizing access to literacy programs, out of school and after school programs, and support for student health and wellness.

  4. Youth knowledge and skills: prioritizing access to programs and services that keep youth engaged in school and on track for graduation, and support for youth health and wellness. 

These grants are for a two-year period, and may be used to deliver programs, sustain or increase organizational capacity, or enhance collaborative partnerships focused on a mutual goal.

Priority Populations

For this funding opportunity, United Way of Lane County will prioritize proposals that serve the following communities:

  • American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN), Asian, Black, LatinX, Multiracial, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations

  • Rural areas of Lane County

  • Under-represented and/or underserved populations including, but not limited to people living with physical and cognitive disabilities and LGBTQ+ people

  • ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), or families navigating poverty

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must provide services in Lane County, Oregon have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, be classified as a public entity, or have a qualified fiscal sponsor (i.e. a sponsoring tax-exempt organization). Applicants may submit more than one Letter of Inquiry. Collaborative projects involving multiple partners are acceptable.

Scoring rubric for the Community Support grants can be found here.

Amounts

Grants between $5,000 and $20,000 will be awarded to eligible organizations.

Funding Period

The grant period will be July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025, subject to annual review after one year.

Reporting

Recipients will provide a report within 30 days of the conclusion of each year of the grant period.

Questions

Applicants can ask questions regarding this Letter of Inquiry by contacting our Director of Community Impact, Jared Pruch, at jpruch@unitedwaylane.org.

TIMELINE AND PROCESS

Note: we are no longer accepting applications for this grant opportunity.

  • December 2022: Applicants can access the Letter of Inquiry template

  • January 2, 2023: Applicants can create an Applicant Profile in our online grant portal, and once approved, can submit their Letter Inquiry (again, there will be a slight delay between creating your profile and being able to submit a Letter of Inquiry).

  • January 30, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.: Letter of Inquiry due through online grant portal

  • Mid-February 2023: Programs will be notified if they are invited to submit a full proposal

  • July 2023: Funding begins

Frequently Asked Questions

When are Letters of Inquiry due?

Letters of Inquiry are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2023. If invited to submit a full proposal, applicants will receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) in mid-February.

When will grants be made?

Grant awards will be announced in May 2023, and funding will begin on July 1, 2023.

What is the size and duration of award?

Grants will be between $5,000 and $20,000 annually, for a two-year commitment, subject to annual review.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants that meet our eligibility criteria, including 501c3 nonprofit organizations, school districts, and community-based organizations working with a fiscal sponsor.

May we apply for multiple United Way grants in this cycle, e.g. Community Support, Community Transformation, Racial Justice Fund?

Yes.

How will proposals be evaluated?

Volunteer reviewers will be asked to evaluate whether proposals:

  • Provide a clear description of the community need, target population and geographic area.

  • Show how activities or objectives are related to one of United Way’s Outcome Areas.

  • Include a substantive plan to evaluate impact.

  • Demonstrate how organizational strategy or program development has been informed by the perspective of clients or service beneficiaries.    

Scoring rubric for the Community Support grants can be found here.