The Columbus Area United Way is seeking applications for its Impact Grant to provide health and human service agencies and organizations an opportunity to seek funds for immediate and creative responses to the most pressing human needs in the areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health and Community Needs.

Program Areas

Impact Grants can be applied for in two different areas.

• One year demonstration or pilot project grant: Organizations are encouraged to test and develop new or improved ways of delivering needed services, services which address emerging or newly identified needs, or services which respond to previously unmet or undeserved needs within the six county service area of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Platte, Polk and Nance counties.
• Impact Grants: Organizations that already have programs established that are addressing recognized concerns within the areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health and Community Needs. The objective of these impact grants will be to fund programs that will have measurable results that improve lives and make lasting change.
• The considerations for these grants include:
  • Programs which provide services in response to community identified needs.
  • Programs which respond to new and/or emerging needs.
  • Programs which utilize the Impact Grant as matching funds to secure other grants for provision of human services.
  • Programs that will secure other funds, either grant or direct contributions,  plus in-kind matching support.
  • Proposals which document shared staff facilities and/or resources among two or more agencies, organizations, joint agency-business, or joint agency-government proposals. Special consideration will be given to programs which demonstrate a collaborative effort among groups.
  • Programs which demonstrate the ability to become self-sufficient after initial funding.
  • Programs not duplicated by other services/programs currently available.
  • Programs which make extensive use of volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be incorporated (or sponsored by an incorporated agency) as a non-profit human needs services agency/organization.
• The applicant must have tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Groups/organizations who are not incorporated or who do not yet have tax-exempt status must be sponsored by a nonprofit, tax exempt organization and provide a signed statement showing sponsorship agreement
• The applicant’s primary geographical area of service and physical location must be in the Columbus Area United Way service area (Boone, Butler, Colfax, Platte, Polk and Nance counties).
• The applicant must have a certificate of non-discrimination.
• The applicant must have an organized governing authority, comprised solely of volunteers, with responsibility to implement a program and to administer and be accountable for the dollars granted.
• Requests for support must be consistent with the purpose of the Impact Grant Policy.
• Impact Grants will be considered on an annual basis.
• In order for Columbus Area United Way to assess and measure collective impact it is necessary for applicants to measure towards Columbus Area United Way strategic goals in the areas of Education, Financial Stability and Health.

For more information, visit Impact Grants.