Annual Community Grants

United Way of Blount County opens grant applications annually to established nonprofits in Blount County. One-year or three-year grants are awarded to specific programs and must be used to serve the most vulnerable in Blount County.

Geographic Scope: Blount County, Tennessee

Impact Areas: Funding is awarded in 4 impact areas:

• Healthy Community: Improving health and well-being for all
• Youth Opportunity: Helping young people realize their full potential
• Financial Security: Creating a stronger financial future for every generation
• Community Resiliency: Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a UWBC Community Partner
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Board of Directors meets at least quarterly
• At least 1 Blount County community member on Board of Directors
• Must have an audited financial statement or external financial review dated within the last 3 years
• Services cannot be provided in a discriminatory manner

Review Process

All funding decisions are made by a diverse group of volunteer grant reviewers representing all sectors of the community—from bankers to nonprofit professionals, realtors to government employees, young professionals to retirees—to ensure funds are allocated thoughtfully.

Timeline:

• December: Grant Applications Due
• January & February: Allocation Panels & Presentations
• February: Grant Applicants Notified of Decisions

Contact Information

• Email: sjurinsky@unitedwayblount.org
• Phone: (865) 982-2251
• Address: 1615 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN 37804
• General Email: uwbc@unitedwayblount.org

Application Process

1. Submit Grant Application
   • Applications due in December
   • Submit through UWBC Grants Portal
2. UWBC Staff Review
   • Initial staff review of applications
3. Eligibility Verification
   • Confirmation of nonprofit status and requirements
4. Volunteer Allocation Panels Review
   • January & February: Allocation panels review proposals
   • Applicants present to panels
   • Panels evaluate funding requests
5. Board Approval
   • February: Volunteer Board of Directors votes on final funding decisions
6. Notification
   • Applicants notified of funding decisions in February

Required Materials:
Specific application requirements not detailed in provided content. Contact UWBC staff for detailed application requirements and materials list.

Additional Notes:

• No grant reading or nonprofit experience required for volunteer reviewers
• Applicants may be asked to present to allocation panels
• All funding decisions made by volunteer community members