COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TEAMS' RESTRICTED FUNDS
Description of Funds
Donors to United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) have a choice in the way they direct their gifts. Donors may choose the Agenda For Change, a service area or a specific 501C3 agency providing health and human services in Lucas, Wood or Ottawa Counties. These guidelines provide information on how programs can apply for those gifts that were directed to a service area (Education, Income, Health, Essential Services or Outreach). The volunteers in each of the respective Community Solutions Teams then have the authority to recommend use of those funds and can be used for Community Impact Designation Dollar grants. This application is primarily used to request consideration of these funds.
UWGT Community Impact Designation Dollar grants, under normal circumstances, will range from $100 to $5,000. Larger projects or programs may be considered by contacting:
Jane Moore, Executive Vice President of Community Impact, Lucas County at 419-254-4640
Kate Sommerfeld, Director, United Way in Wood County at 419-352-2390
Chris Galvin, Director, United Way in Ottawa County at 419-734-6645
Eligibility
To be eligible, an organization must provide services to residents of Lucas, Wood or Ottawa County. Grants will only be awarded to tax-exempt organizations classified as 501 ( c ) (3) charities by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).
Restrictions
All grants from Community Impact Designation Dollars are one-time funds and should not be considered as a source for providing for a program’s long term financial stability. Community Impact Designation Dollars typically can not be used for:
- Projects outside of Lucas, Wood and Ottawa Counties
- Programs that advocate specific religions or services
- Subsidies for third party payers not covering the entire cost of services
- Political groups
- Fundraising purposes including annual and capital campaigns
- Field trips or youth sports sponsorship
- On-going staff salaries
- Support the general operating budget of established organizations
- Tickets for benefits
- Support for any specific family or individual
- Programs/projects that discriminate according to all federal, state and local laws regarding employment and service provisions
- Requests for amounts in excess of $5,000 that were not discussed with UWGT Community Impact Directors prior to submission
Grant Application Process
UWGT considers Designated Dollar requests on an ongoing basis. Please note that incomplete applications, mailed, hand delivered or faxed applications will not be considered.
All grant applications are carefully reviewed by UWGT Community Solution Team Volunteers. Applicant organizations are notified, in writing, of approval/denial of funding requests within two months of making an application. Project expenses incurred by an applicant organization prior to notification cannot be paid by United Way. United Way staff will contact the program regarding funding award and reporting requirements.
Contents of a Proposal
Only online applications will be accepted. Applications will be in narrative form and include:
- Amount of the Request
- Summary of proposal
- Purpose, need and target population
- Implementation timeline or work plan
- Projected results of program/project and the outputs and indicator measurement that will be reported
- Project Budget Information (click here to download Excel template)
- Explanation of Future Funding for Program Stability if applicable (if applicable)
Attachments
The following must be included with all proposals (if not currently receiving funds from UWGT):
- List of applicant’s Board Trustees
- Background/history of applicant’s organization
- Copy of applicant’s tax exempt letter from the IRS or proof of tax exempt status
Grant Review Criteria
Priority consideration is given to proposals that:
- Clearly demonstrates the ability to address the United Way’s Agenda for Change specific to advancing Education, Income, Health, Essential Services and Outreach priorities
- Demonstrate collaboration
Project Completion
- Projects are expected to be completed within one calendar year of award notice.
- It is required that all receipts be kept for one year after project completion for review by UWGT as deemed necessary.
- Completed reports are generally due within one month of project completion and deadlines will be specified in funding agreement.
- All funds not used for the project are expected to be returned to UWGT at the time of the completion of the report.
If you have questions about the grant process or specific guidelines, contact Jane Moore, Executive Vice President of Community Impact at 419-254-4640.