Community Impact Fund

The Community Impact Fund is United Way of Mesa County's primary grant program providing vital funding to help ensure everyone in Mesa County has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Geographic Scope: Mesa County, Colorado

Focus Areas:

• Community Resiliency
• Financial Security
• Healthy Communities
• Youth Opportunity

Funding: Supports 25 local health and human service programs run by 19 agencies in Mesa County. Currently (2025/2026 cycle), grants are for one year (July 2025-June 2026).

Eligibility Requirements:

• Organization must be an established 501(c)3 or have an established fiscal sponsorship agreement
• Must engage in work that helps improve lives through one or more of these areas: Healthy Communities, Community Resiliency, Financial Security, and/or Youth Opportunity
• Programs must not be primarily religious or political in nature
• Organizations must meet Community Partner Program requirements (see below)

Community Partner Program Requirements:

• Be an established 501(c)3 or have fiscal sponsorship
• Complete a short application with latest year-end financial statements
• Display UWMC Community Partner Logo in place of business and website
• Create one social media post related to UWMC during 12-month partnership
• Provide at least 1 volunteer for minimum 1 UWMC event during 12-month partnership
• Update/add organization information on Volunteer United portal
• Programs not primarily religious or political in nature

Grant Cycle Timeline:

• Community sourced allocation volunteers trained: Early 2026
• Board decision meeting: May 2026
• Grant payments begin: July 1, 2026 (quarterly payments)
• Grant period: July 2026-June 2027 (for 2026 funding cycle)

Community Partner Program Benefits:

• Invitation to learning opportunities specific to nonprofit organizations
• Listed on relevant UWMC publications & marketing platforms
• Eligible for donations under Colorado Combined Campaign umbrella
• Invitation to regular Partner gatherings
• Access to UWMC partner email blast list
• Direct UWMC staff assistance with updating organization information on Volunteer United
• Invitation to apply for next UWMC Community Impact Fund grant

Contact Information:

• Email: impact@uwmesacounty.org
• Phone: 970-243-5364
• Address: 750 Main Street Suite 111, PO Box 153, Grand Junction, CO 81502

2025/2026 Funded Programs:

• Renters Assistance
• CCC Food Bank
• Elementary Literacy Interventions
• Emergency Food Program
• Professional, Affordable Counseling, Resiliency for Care Givers
• Court Advocates for Youth
• Girls Mountain Bike Program
• Dyslexia Screening and Consultation for Mesa County
• Case Management & Emergency Resources for Former Foster Care Clients
• Equine Therapy
• Connections
• Senior Daybreak, Latimer House
• Kids Grief Programming
• Meals on Wheels Mesa County
• Senior Companion Program
• Adult Learning Center
• Restitution/Community Service Work Program, One-to-One Mentoring
• Mutual Aid Partners
• After-School Tutoring
• Family Supportive Services
• Mental Health and Medical Services, Advocacy-Education

Application Process

For 2026 Funding (Current Cycle):

1. Become a Community Partner (if not already partnered)
   • Applications must be submitted and approved by November 30, 2025 deadline
   • Complete Community Partner Program application
   • Submit latest year-end financial statements
   • Agree to Community Partner requirements
2. Wait for Invitation to Apply
   • Organizations invited to apply after becoming Community Partners
   • Allocation panels will review applications
3. Panel Review & Site Visits
   • Community sourced allocation volunteers trained in early 2026
   • Volunteers review grant applications
   • On-site visits made to each program that applies
   • Funding recommendations made to UWMC Board of Directors
4. Board Approval
   • UWMC Board of Directors makes final decisions at May 2026 board meeting

Required Materials:

• Latest year-end financial statements
• Completed application form (specific form details not provided on website)

Volunteer Panel Opportunity:

• If interested in serving on an allocation panel for the next grant cycle, email: impact@uwmesacounty.org