Community Impact Grants

Community Impact Grants

Funder: United Way of Northern New York

Geographic Scope: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties, New York

Program Description: United Way of Northern New York invests in local nonprofits working to improve the lives of individuals and families through human service programs. The Community Impact Fund supports outcome-driven, equity-focused, and collaborative organizations committed to making measurable differences in communities.

Focus Areas

Grantees must align with one or more of these three priority areas:
• Social Determinants of Health - Access to nutrition, housing, transportation, literacy, language, healthcare, and education
• Child & Youth Success - Academic support, mentoring, youth development, and vital supplies/support for healthy transitions to adulthood
• Economic Stability - Job skills training, soft skills development, financial literacy, and employment support to help people gain or maintain stability

Funding Information

• Total Grant Pool: Approximately $225,000 (dependent on campaign results)
• Maximum Request: $25,000 per proposal
• Grant Period: January 1 – December 31, 2026
• Total Awarded (2025): $220,000 across 23 grantees

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on human service programming
• Serve residents of Jefferson, Lewis, and/or St. Lawrence Counties
• Be in operation for at least three years
• Be governed by a board of directors with at least one paid employee
• Provide outcome-driven, equity-focused, collaborative programming

What Is NOT Funded

Funds cannot be used for:
• Capital projects
• Lobbying
• Event sponsorship
• Proselytizing
• Programs that exclude individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability

Recent Impact (2025)

• Reached 37,637 individuals (approximately 1 in 7 North Country residents)
• Supported 28 programs across the tri-county region
• Positively impacted 32,204 local adults and children with services including basic needs (food, personal care items, transportation)

Contact Information

United Way of Northern New York
• Address: 167 Polk Street, Suite 300, Watertown, NY 13601
• Phone: (315) 788-5631
• Email: info@unitedway-nny.org
• Website: unitedway-nny.org