Community Impact Grants

Community Impact Grants

Funder: United Way of Northeast Georgia Inc

Geographic Scope: 12-county service area: Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Greene, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties in Georgia

Focus Areas:

Basic Needs

Early Childhood Success

Workforce Development

Program Description: United Way of Northeast Georgia's Community Impact Grant funds programs that provide direct services to meet pressing needs in the three focus areas. Grant recipients receive financial funding for the entirety of the following year and provide quarterly updates to United Way about their program. Grant recipients are announced at the annual Community Celebration.

Eligibility Requirements

Applying organizations must meet ALL of the following requirements:

1. Governance: Must have a Board of Directors that is a voluntary governing body with regular meetings responsible for developing mission, determining strategic direction, and providing oversight

2. Service Location: Must be located and providing services within the 12-county service area; all grant funds must be used within the service area

3. Tax Status: Must be classified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a:
- Private nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, OR
- Operating under a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt fiscal sponsor (for coordinating entities and coalitions), OR
- Faith-based organization with separate 501(c)(3) that does not restrict access based on religious affiliation or require participation in religious activities

4. Service History: Must have a minimum two-year history serving at least one of the 12 counties after the date of receipt of its 501(c)(3) classification

5. Strategic Planning: Must have current mission and vision statements, strategic goals and measurable objectives for grant-related programming

6. Financial Documentation: Must be able to submit an IRS Form 990 and provide the correct form of financial attestation:
- Budget under $100,000: Compilation Required
- Budget $100,000-$500,000: Financial Review Required
- Budget $500,000+: Audit Required

7. Bylaws: Must have bylaws that state the purpose of the organization and its Board's governance

8. Compliance: Must comply with anti-terrorism laws such as the U.S. Patriot Act

9. Local Control: National organizations with local chapters/affiliates or programs must demonstrate local control in the application

10. Non-Discrimination: Must offer services in a manner that complies with all federal and state laws and regulations concerning discrimination; must operate by policy and practice without discrimination based on age, race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, disability, cultural heritage or national origin

11. Reporting: As a condition of accepting funding, grantees must provide 6-month and annual outcome reports and quarterly narrative updates

12. Fund Use: Grant requests should not exceed 20% of the applying organization's program services expenses based on most recent Form 990 Part IX (9), Page 10, Line 25B. For collaborations, the 20% is based on combined total of collaborators' program services expenses. Minimum grant amount is $5,000.

13. Fund Displacement: Funds granted should not supplant funds already budgeted for a program

Ineligible Organization Types

United Way will NOT consider proposals from:

Advocacy or lobbying organizations

Environmental or animal rescue/animal-focused organizations

Educational institutions including public or private schools, colleges and universities

Daycare or pre-K programs that are not Quality Rated by DECAL

Government agencies or departments

Ineligible Expenses

United Way will NOT consider proposals for:

Capital expenses

Endowments

Events or sponsorships

Focus Area Outcome Measures

Basic Needs:

% of families skipping less than 2 meals a week

% of people experiencing homelessness moving to stable housing

% of individuals report needs met after facing a defined emergency

Early Childhood Success:

% of births with prenatal care in first trimester

% of children meeting developmental milestones (birth-5 year-olds)

% of children meeting kindergarten readiness benchmarks

% of parents demonstrating increased parenting skills and knowledge

Workforce Development:

Education: % of students enrolled in postsecondary training, certification, or education one year after high school graduation

Education: % of 16-24-year-olds engaged in education

Employment: % of 16-24-year-olds engaged in work

Employment: % of job readiness participants retain employment for 90 days or more

Contact: Courtney Etheredge, Director of Community Impact
Email: cetheredge@unitedwaynega.org

Address: 1 Huntington RD Suite 805, Athens, GA 30606
Phone: 706-543-5254

Website: unitedwaynega.org