United Way of Siouxland's mission is to enhance Siouxland's capacity to care for one another by working together through effective partnerships and leveraging resources. A strong community has a system of quality non-profit agencies that offer health and human services to improve the quality of life for all.
We are working toward making lasting changes in our community by fighting for the Health and Education of every person in Siouxland. We know what we do today will impact tomorrow. Decisions for funding are data-based. A partnership with Source for Siouxland and United Way of Siouxland ensures the data collection continues.
On May 12, 2022, United Way of Siouxland announced a new approach to funding programs that officials say will provide flexibility to respond to the quickly changing needs of Siouxland.
This will move the organization from a funded partner grant process to an open grant process.
CLICK HERE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NEW FUNDING PROCESS
United Way leaders have spent the last year exploring the new funding process with guiding principles of the importance and accountability United Way brings to a model aimed to maximize the impact of every dollar contributed to the organization’s mission. Research included a review of other United Ways and how their grant processes work, an investment in Source For Siouxland, a local data initiative which will ensure the community has vetted, local data to identify root causes related to community crises, and multiple donor surveys.
The new process allows for a transition period for both current programs and new programs to apply. Thousands of data points were reviewed to set new Community Impact Goals.
Click here to see a summary of local data that aligns with these new goals and priorities.
GOALS & PRIORITIES UNDER NEW FUNDING PROCESS
Entities who partner with United Way of Siouxland will be expected to measure how their work leads to one or more of the following goals (goals will be bold below). Priority areas have also been identified as key measures in reaching the identified goals:
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Individuals access mental health and addiction resources.
PRIORITIES
- Improve access to affordable treatment and recovery resources through expanded hours and/or delivery methods, thereby increasing participation.
- Increase access and participation in prevention programming. -
Adult learners become more employable and independent in their community.
PRIORITIES
- Increase adult literacy instruction and participation.
- Increase household income through career development opportunities and job training. - Individuals engage in behaviors that improve their health or safety.
PRIORITIES
- Promote healthy habits for adults and children to reduce obesity.
- Increase access to violence and trauma treatment and support services.
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Families access quality childcare and early learning opportunities.
PRIORITIES
- Children are assessed ready for kindergarten.
- Increase safe, affordable, quality childcare slots. (Priority given to infant care and extended hours) -
Youth demonstrate grade-appropriate school readiness academically, socially, and emotionally.
PRIORITIES
- Help students maintain or improve grade-level reading and math skills.
- Decrease barriers for children to participate in before and after school activities.
- Increase school attendance rates.
Under the Funding Process, a non-profit organization must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the program in which they would be seeking funding. The LOI would be the first step a non-profit organization must complete during the grant process. A completed LOI does not guarantee a program would advance further in the grant process.
A non-profit organization may apply for more than one program, but each program would require its own separate LOI. Each program must address at least one of the five (5) goals. A program may address multiple goals.
It is recommended United Way funding does not exceed 30% of the program budget. (Not Overall Organization Budget)
Completed LOI's will be available in mid December of 2023 online through United Way of Siouxland's website. LOI's will be due in February of 2024. Any late or incomplete Letters of Intent will not be considered.
DETERMINING PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING PROCESS
(Non-Profit Organizations not meeting these criteria should not apply)
- Non-profit organizations must be located in and provide services to the residents of United Way of Siouxland service area, defined as a 40-mile radius around Sioux City, Iowa.
- Non-profit organizations must be well-established non-profit organizations that have been declared tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service and have a 501(c)(3) or 170(b)(1) status and had that status affirmed within the past two years.
- Non-profit organizations must be in existence for at least three years.
- Must have identified outcomes and indicators to measure program success and be able to share the process used to collect information and monitor program impact that demonstrates dedication to continuous improvement.
- Non-profit organizations must have a volunteer board of directors composed of at least five (5) people, must have established bylaws, meet at least quarterly, and maintain minutes of all board meetings.
- Non-profit organizations must have an annual operating budget; demonstrate financial controls, including a financial control policy, and should be current on all IRS filings and payment of payroll taxes.
- Organizations must have an annual audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant. For organizations with less than $500,000 in revenue, financial statements must be annually reviewed by an independent public accountant.
- Establish and maintain a counterterrorism policy. United Way of Siouxland and United Way Worldwide complies with the U.S. Patriot Act and all other counter terrorism laws. Affirmative action is taken to prevent technical, in-kind, or other resources from inadvertently being used for illegal acts and terrorist activities.
- Programs will self-select goal(s) they would like to address based on their ability to align with priorities outlined for each goal.
- Programs should be based on data and serve our community through evidence based programming that has clearly defined sources and curriculums.
- Non-profit organizations must be able to ensure the fidelity of their program.
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING
- Non-profit organizations for which previous grant compliance issues have not been addressed.
- Applications requesting less than $10,000.
- Applications for programs requiring religious participation.
- Applications for endowment, debt reduction, and event sponsorships.
- Applications for funds to directly benefit a specific individual or family.
- Projects that were completed prior to the grant application.
- Private organizations whose sole purpose is to provide lobbying, environmental, religious, or fundraising activities.
- Organizations not supportive of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Non-profit organizations that do not comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations; meet applicable state and local standards for licensing and certification within its specific discipline.
- Non-profit organizations with programs or activities which are contrary to the goals, aspirations, and policies of United Way of Siouxland or which are incompatible with the mission of United Way of Siouxland, as determined by its Board of Directors.
TIMELINE FOR OPEN GRANT PROCESS
- Current Agency Funding Awards Begin: July 1, 2022 (Continued funding through June 30, 2025)
- Goal Setting for New Open Funding Process: Jan.-May 2023
- Goals Finalized & Announced to Community for New Open Funding Process: Fall, 2023
- Letters of Intent (LOI) Due: Feb. 2024
- LOI Decisions Made, Applicants Notified if they will Complete Full Application: March 2024
- Full Applications Due: June 2024
- Award Determinations to Applicants (for funding to begin July 1, 2025): Sept. 2024 (Continued funding through June 20, 2028)
Current Annual Community Impact Funding
United Way of Siouxland developed the community impact process with the philosophy that it is supported by the community, for the community. Therefore, these grant awards are determined by volunteer panels made up of donors, content experts, and community volunteers.
The annual grants are used to invest in a wide array of agency programs and services, with a focus on achieving the goals outlined in our Agenda for Change. As custodians of community contributions, strict accountability is expected and required of all annually funded partner programs.
Click here for the current annual community impact funding policy and procedures.
Small Grants
The Small Grants Program is an outreach of the Community Impact (CI) funding process. These one-time grants, between $1,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to organizations aligned with United Way's priority areas.
United Way Small Grants Program can be used for projects such as:
- Organizational capacity building including strategic planning, governance, and other types of organizational planning and/or development activities
- Program planning and/or development
- Emergency expenses associated with capital expenditures
- Unforeseen capital expenditures necessary to provide services to clients
- Public education and advocacy in alignment with UWS community impact outcomes
Small Grant Eligibility and Instructions can be found HERE.
Small Grant application can be found HERE.