Community Excellence Award

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

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
• 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

Additional Information:
A primary person must be assigned to attend each session and the presentation; awardees may have a small team of employees participate.

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