Community Investment Grant Program

The Community Investment Grant Program by United Way of Kennebec Valley provides essential funding to support local programs that enhance health, education, and financial stability in Kennebec County. The initiative emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion while aligning with the Impact2032 Vision Statements. Eligible organizations include nonprofits and municipal entities, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $50,000. This program aims to address community disparities and foster collaboration among diverse groups through targeted funding efforts.

United Way of Kennebec Valley’s Community Investment Process (formerly known as the Allocations Process), provides funding to community programs that support our mission and align with one of the Impact2032 Vision Statements. UWKV convenes organizations and individuals around Impact2032‘s three 10-year visions to improve the health, education and financial stability of every person in Kennebec County. Thanks to contributions from individual donors, businesses and foundations to the United Way Campaign, we are able to make grants to programs serving people of Kennebec County. Programs may apply for one of three funding streams within the Community Investment Process: Strategic Investment Grants, Basic Needs Grants, and Innovation Grants.
As we developed Impact2032, we purposefully and thoughtfully considered how we could make sure all people in our community were included. We acknowledge that injustices have persisted throughout history and continue to exist in our communities today—and we leverage our Community Investment Process funding to drive efforts in DEI. We are interested in partnering with programs that work to address disparities.

• Diversity leverages the benefits of each unique perspective.Equity gives everyone the opportunity to thrive.Inclusion shares the power of decision making.

Eligibility

Organization Eligibility RequirementsOrganization and all applicants represented in the application confirm official endorsement of Impact2032.The lead organization is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), a public school district, a municipal entity, an Indian Tribal government, or can demonstrate a legal relationship with an established 501(c)(3) acting as its fiscal agent.The organization has an annual independent audit performed and financial statements prepared in conformance with the Standards of Accounting and Financial Reporting for Voluntary Health and Welfare Organizations if the organization’s annual revenue exceeds $2,000,000. Applicants with revenues between $1,000,000 and $1,999,999 will require an audit or Review of Financial Statements. Applicants with revenues below $1,000,000 may submit an appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form 990 in lieu of an audit or Review of Financial Statements. Please note: These are the minimum requirements for funding, but UWKV recommends that organizations conduct an audit if revenues exceed $1,000,000Organization is able to submit its most recent IRS Form 990. If an organization has not yet filed a Form 990 due to a recent incorporation date, or is not required to file a Form 990 for various reasons, please submit a brief statement explaining the situation.If selected as a funding recipient, organization agrees to conduct an annual United Way campaign among organization staff and/or board no later than fall 2024.The organization and all partners named in the application operate consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, and comply with UWKV’s Anti-Terrorism Compliance Agreement.Program Eligibility RequirementsThe program for which the organization seeks funding serves residents of Kennebec County. Applicants will use any funding to serve Kennebec County exclusively.Program will serve diverse groups in the community, be open and not restricted by membership.Funding will support a specific program or project, not general operations.Program provides health and human services that align with at least one Impact2032 vision statement based on the Impact2032 Framework.Program is requesting between $2,500 and $50,000. The funding request does not exceed 35% of the program/project budget.The parent organization [nonprofit 501(c)(3), public school district, municipal entity, Indian Tribal government] and all its affiliates are not requesting more than $75,000 total among all their programs.

Ineligibility

Funding may NOT be used for:Capital expensesEndowmentsEvents or sponsorshipsGeneral operating expenses