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LIVE UNITED Mini-Grant Criteria

 

Thank you for your inquiry regarding funding through United Way of Northern Utah (UWNU). We appreciate your interest in working with United Way to better serve our community.
 
These guidelines offer general guidance and are not a guarantee for success in obtaining a grant. Each proposal is evaluated on its potential value to Northern Utah, the quality of planning, leadership, support and vision expressed; the relative need for the program proposed and the current funds available for distribution and how it relates to the 2008 Impact Plan. Due to the large number of funding requests, United Way is able to fund only a small portion of the requests received. An unsuccessful application does not reflect the worthiness of a particular project.
 
What is Community Initiative Funding?

United Way of Northern Utah will provide a mechanism for funding outside its existing RFP process in order to remain responsive to agency and community needs during the 3-year funding cycle. Community Initiative funding is:

 
·         a grant, not an allocation
·         one-time funding for health and human service providers that are 501(c)(3)
·         for emerging needs within the community
·         for emergency and unforeseen circumstances that have an immediate impact on service delivery
·         for sponsorships and other community-building events
 
Timeframe
 
United Way is required to fully review and evaluate all funding requests, resulting in a decision-making and approval process that normally takes at least 60 days. The Grant Review Committee reviews grant applications on a continual basis and makes recommendations to the Impact Committee at its bi-monthly meetings. A lack of requested information or an incomplete application would delay the decision-making and approval process.
 

1st Round:  Due by Feb 19, 2009.

2nd Round:  Due by May 20th, 2009.

3rd Round:  Due by August 20th, 2009.

4th Round:  Due by November 19th, 2009

Late applications will be moved into the next round of funding – No exceptions.
 
Eligibility
 
Grants are made only to nonprofit organizations that have federal tax exempt status as a section 501(c)(3) public charity or to government agencies. The nonprofit or government agency must serve Weber, Morgan, Box Elder Counties in the Utah area. No grants are made to individuals.
 
If your organization is not currently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit, you may identify a 501(c)(3) sponsor to act as your organization’s fiscal agent. The fiscal agent must be recognized as a publicly supported, charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
 
Limitations
 
An organization may only apply one time within a 12-month period unless it is an emergency. Exceptions to the one grant per organization per 12-month policy may be made in cases when the organization requesting funding serves as the fiscal agent for another organization. As always, United Way does not expect to make recurring or multiple-year grants to the same organization or program, and the maximum grant award normally does not exceed $2,500 and should be for at least $500. It is suggested that requests not exceed these guidelines.
 
Funding Considerations
 
United Way will consider funding in the following arenas. and preference is given to projects or programs that:
 
·         are collaborative projects or programs
·         address priority community issues and demonstrate measurable outcomes
·         encourage more effective use of community resources
·         test or demonstrate new approaches and techniques in the solution of community problems
·         are intended to strengthen the management capabilities of agencies and/or
promote volunteer participation
 
 
What United Way of Northern Utah Will Not Fund
 
United Way cannot meet every community need. We do not make grants from the Community Initiatives grant fund for the following:
 
·         annual fund drives;
·         operating deficits or after-the-fact support;
·         direct or grass-roots lobbying;
·         religious purposes;
·         hospitals, medical research or academic research
 
 
Decision-Making and Grant Review Process
 
Upon receipt of the completed applications, the requests will go through a competitive grant review process driven by trained and experienced United Way volunteers. As a steward of community dollars, United Way requires thorough evaluations of all requests received. The evaluation process may include requests for additional information. Final decisions on all grant requests rest with the Impact Committee and the United Way Board of Directors.
 
Confidentiality
 
Although the deliberations and discussions of the Impact Committee are strictly confidential, the Director of Community Impact will share information with other individuals and agencies as needed. To assist the grant seeker, the Director of Community Impact may discuss general concerns and questions with the grant seeker.
 
Conflict of Interest Policy
 
United Way of Northern Utah maintains a strict conflict of interest policy for its Board, staff and volunteers to ensure independence and integrity in its recommendations. Staff and volunteers may not accept any form of compensation, gifts, or favors from any organization or representative that anticipates submitting a grant proposal to United Way or has submitted a proposal or has received a grant. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, paid staff members of United Way may not serve on the Board (governing or advisory) of any nonprofit organization without the approval of the President and CEO of United Way of Northern Utah.
 
Notification
 
Agencies will be notified in writing of the funding decision made by the Impact Committee. Due to the volume of requests, program staff will not call to inform grant seekers of funding decisions. Grant seekers are invited and are welcome to call the Director of Community Impact to discuss the agency’s funding status.
1st round - Funded programs announced March 2009.
2nd round - Funded programs announced June 2009.
3rd round - Funded programs announced Sept 2009.
4th round - Funded programs announced Dec 2009.
 
Questions
 

Any questions regarding the grant application process should be directed to Leslie Herold, Director of Community Impact, United Way of Northern Utah, at (801) 399-5584 x107