How much funding does Community Excellence Award provide?

Community Excellence Award provides $5,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Community Excellence Award?

The deadline is November 12, 2026.

Community Excellence Award

United Way of Greater Charlottesville

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Capacity Building Grants Social Services Grants Human & Social Service Grants

Funding Amount

$5,000

Deadline

November 12, 2026

47 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Community Excellence Award

Funder: United Way of Greater Charlottesville in partnership with UVA's Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity

Status: Active for FY26

Geographic Scope: Planning District Ten (Counties of Albemarle, Nelson, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and the City of Charlottesville)

Focus Areas: Strategic planning frameworks for non-profit human service organizations

Award Details:

Three (3) $5,000 awards will be dispersed upon presentation of developed plans

Funds offset staff members' time required to undertake strategic planning work

Technical consulting provided by UVA's Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity at no cost

Program Overview:
Funds support non-profit human service organizations in Planning District Ten that desire to implement a strategic planning framework centering core values, service, and collaboration. The program includes five 1.5-hour sessions to introduce participants to a planning framework and develop a community of practice with other awardees.

Timeline:

Five 1.5-hour sessions (dates to be determined)

Develop collaborative action plan from January to March 2026

Submit draft plan for March check-in review

Final draft due: March 24, 2026

Awardee celebration and presentation: April 7, 2026, 12:30 PM-2:00 PM

Each awardee provides 10-15 minute presentation

Eligibility Criteria:

Non-profit 501(c)3 providing human service programs

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors

Located within Planning District Ten

In business for a minimum of 12 months

Willing to sign basic award agreement

Must participate in all required dates

Authorized Uses of Award Funds:

Offset staff time for strategic organizational action planning efforts

Awardees not required to report on specific fund expenditures

Contact: Dabney Coleman, dcoleman@unitedwaycville.org

Additional Information:
Open virtual information session held on October 29, 2025, 2-3 PM for interested applicants. A primary person must be assigned to attend each session and the presentation; awardees may have a small team of employees participate.

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Info Session Attendance (Required)
- Virtual information session held October 29, 2025, 2-3 PM
- Sessions provided opportunity to learn more about the program

2. Application Submission
- Submit application by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12, 2025
- Application portal available on website

3. Program Participation (If Selected)
- Attend five 1.5-hour sessions (dates and times TBD)
- Develop collaborative action plan from January to March 2026
- Submit draft plan for March check-in review
- Submit final draft by March 24, 2026
- Present at awardee celebration on April 7, 2026

4. Required Commitment
- Primary person must attend each session and presentation
- Certification of attendance required
- Small team of employees may participate
- 10-15 minute presentation required

Required Materials

Application form (submitted via online portal)
Certification that primary person will attend all sessions
Organization must be 501(c)3 non-profit
Evidence of volunteer Board of Directors
Proof of 12+ months in business

Questions

Contact: Dabney Coleman at dcoleman@unitedwaycville.org

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What United Way of Greater Charlottesville actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2024

Grants in 2024: 16
Total given: $220K
Median grant: $10K
Range: $10K–$25K

By dollars: Virginia 100%. Top recipient cities: Charlottesville, VA; Staunton, VA; Buckingham, VA.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
75% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

Charlottesville Free Clinic · Charlottesville, VA

Support programs and services

$25K
Foothills Advocacy Center · Charlottesville, VA

Support programs and services

$25K
United Way Staunton Augusta Waynesboro · Staunton, VA

Support programs and services

$25K
Piedmont Housing Alliance · Charlottesville, VA

Support programs and services

$15K
Rita's Bright Beginnings · Charlottesville, VA

Stimulate and support small businesses

$15K