Family Opportunity Fund

Geographic Scope: Seven-county Central Indiana service area: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, and Putnam counties

Focus Areas:

• Integrated programming serving youth and adults in the same household
• Education improvement
• Financial stability
• Family well-being
• Programs addressing generational poverty

Eligibility:

• Nonprofits not currently accredited with United Way
• Organizations serving families with low incomes
• Open to organizations outside United Way's accredited partner network

What They Fund:

• Family-focused programs
• Educational support for children and financial stability for adults
• Integrated multi-generational approaches
• Programs building long-term economic mobility
• Career and education pathways

Program Details:
In 2026, $680,000 was awarded to seven nonprofits through this fund. Two organizations received grants from both the Family Opportunity Fund and Basic Needs Fund. This is the second year the fund has been open to nonprofits outside United Way's accredited network. A total of 16 organizations submitted letters of intent in the most recent cycle, with 12 invited to submit full applications. Expected to serve families and improve multi-generational outcomes across Central Indiana.

Example Grant Use:
The Indiana Latino Institute received an $80,000 grant to create generational change for Latino families in Marion County by supporting parents in earning medical interpreter credentials while guiding high school students toward college, addressing low college-going rates among Latino students and the need for bilingual healthcare professionals.

• Phone: 317-923-1466
• Address: 2955 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208
• Website: uwci.org

Application Process

1. Letter of Intent Submission
   • Organizations submit letters of intent
   • 16 organizations submitted in 2026 cycle
   • 12 were invited to submit full applications
   • Specific deadline varies by year
2. Full Application
   • Invited applicants submit full applications
   • Applications reviewed by committees
   • Committees composed of United Way staff, board members, and community volunteers
3. Review and Selection
   • Competitive review process
   • Selection based on alignment with fund priorities and organizational capacity
   • Preference for integrated family-focused approaches

Required Application Components

Specific details not provided in available content, but based on structure:

• Letter of intent describing organizational mission and need
• Full application (when invited)
• Description of integrated family programming
• Demonstration of serving low-income families
• Evidence of addressing education, financial stability, and family well-being
• Budget and financial information
• Organizational capacity and track record