United Way of Effingham County Annual Grant Program

Eligibility

• Applicant Type: Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) certificate
• Experience Required: Must have been in business for at least one year
• Geographic Scope: Effingham County, Illinois
• Focus Areas: Based on community needs assessment; recent funded agencies focus on:
  • Youth development (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
  • Child welfare and advocacy (Child Advocacy Center, Crisis Nursery, Effingham Child Development Center)
  • Seniors services (Senior Services, Meals on Wheels, CEFS RSVP)
  • Family support and crisis services (Catholic Charities, SAFE, SWAN, Heartland Human Services)
  • Education and literacy (CEFS Literacy Program)
  • Mental health (NAMI, One Hope United)
  • Other community services (Effingham County FISH, Search & Rescue, Unit 40 Mentoring Program, Altamont After School Program)

Application Process

• Application Distribution: Applications electronically sent to agencies previously funded by United Way
• New Applicants: May obtain applications by contacting Linda Hemmen at (217) 342-3824
• Committee Review: Grants Committee meets to review applications and hear presentations from applicant agencies
• Selection Criteria: Recommendations based on funding priorities derived from community needs assessment; Board of Directors makes final decisions
• Number of Recipients: Typically 22-25 partner agencies receive annual funding

Historical Cycles

• 2016-2017 Campaign: 23 agencies funded

Application Process

1. Obtain Application
   • Contact Linda Hemmen, Chief Professional Officer at (217) 342-3824
   • Previously funded agencies receive applications electronically
2. Complete and Submit
   • Submit completed application by postmark deadline (varies by year)
   • Historical deadlines: April 6 (2017), March 27 (2018), April 9 (2019)
3. Present to Grants Committee
   • Applicant agency representatives must appear before the Grants Committee
   • Presentation should include:
   • Agency's specific program requesting funding
   • Proposed use of funds
   • How the program aligns with community needs
4. Committee Review
   • Grants Committee evaluates based on funding priorities and community needs assessment
   • Committee recommends appropriate grants to Board of Directors
   • Board makes final funding decisions