Competitive Grants / Allocation Grant Process

Competitive Grants Program

Geographic Scope: 10-parish region of Northwest Louisiana including Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, Claiborne, Natchitoches, Winn, Sabine, and DeSoto parishes

Focus Areas:

• Education
• Financial Stability/Income
• Health
• Essential/Basic Needs

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit organizations serving the 10-parish region of Northwest Louisiana
• Must have 501(c)(3) status prior to submitting application
• Private voluntary nonprofits or units of government
• Must have an accounting system
• Must practice nondiscrimination
• Must have demonstrated capability to deliver programs in focus areas
• If private voluntary organization, must have a voluntary board

Program Overview:
Through the allocation grant process, United Way distributes funds raised from workplace campaigns and individual donors to nonprofits providing programs in education, health, income, and basic needs. The organization has funded 45+ organizations annually in recent years. Grants support programs including tutoring, mentoring, health screenings, literacy, housing, food assistance, and after-school programs.

Application Process:
The application cycle typically opens in early September with a deadline in mid-October. Mandatory orientation sessions are required before submission. A letter of intent was previously required but is no longer needed as of 2016 cycle.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 318-677-2504
• Address: 820 Jordan St., Ste 370, Shreveport, LA 71101
• Website: unitedwaynwla.org

Typical Award Range: $2,500 - $20,000 per organization

Application Process

1. Attend Mandatory Orientation: Organizations must attend at least one mandatory orientation session before submitting an application. Multiple sessions are offered (typically in August-September).
2. Submit Full Application: Submit complete application by the announced deadline (typically mid-October at 4 p.m.)
   • Letter of intent is no longer required
   • Must have 501(c)(3) status prior to submission
3. Application Review: Applications are scored by local volunteer committees serving on the United Way Advisory Board, with members from each parish/region
4. Award Notification: Grant recipients are announced at community events throughout the year

Required Materials:

• Full application form
• Documentation of 501(c)(3) status
• Accounting system documentation
• Nondiscrimination policy
• Program descriptions and details
• Organizational capacity information

For more information: Visit Grant Opportunities section on unitedwaynwla.org or contact 318-677-2504