United Way of Whatcom County Community Impact Grants

United Way of Whatcom County Community Impact Grants

Organization: United Way of Whatcom County
Contact: (360) 733-8670 | hello@unitedwaywhatcom.org | 1500 Cornwall Ave Ste 203, Bellingham, WA 98225-4579

Program Overview

Unity Way of Whatcom County provides annual Community Impact grants to support a network of local nonprofits serving Whatcom County. Grants support organizations providing life-changing services to over 50,000 people annually.

Geographic Scope

Service Area: Whatcom County, Washington

Focus Areas

United Way funds programs addressing three core focus areas:
• Basic Needs: Food, housing, health and mental health services
• Economic Mobility: Job skills, literacy, educational opportunities, employment services, and childcare
• Breaking Cycles of Poverty: Parenting support, addiction services, escape from domestic violence, and other programs to end generational poverty

Award Information

FY 2025-26: 24 local nonprofits funded with grants ranging from $15,000 to $45,000, with an average grant size of $25,000

FY 2021-22: $878,867 in funding to 22 local nonprofits (plus $202,000 in emergency COVID relief grants)

FY 2022-23: Over $700,000 to local agencies (plus $25,000 for flood relief and $243,000 in pandemic/emergency relief)

Funding Criteria

Funding decisions are based on:
• Urgent and emerging community needs
• Alignment with United Way mission and core focus areas
• Agency effectiveness, capacity, and stability
• Service delivery and measurable outcomes
• Active partnership and collaboration
• Commitment to equity and serving those most in need

Eligibility

• Local nonprofit organizations
• Must be aligned with United Way's three focus areas
• Financially sound and organizationally healthy
• Providing services in Whatcom County

Community Impact Panel Process

Funding decisions are made by Community Impact Panels composed of dedicated community volunteers who:
• Review grant reports and funding requests
• Assess community needs
• Make funding recommendations
• Consider program results and agency stability

Assessment Tools

United Way uses ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) research and data to assess community needs. According to the 2018 ALICE report, 36% of Whatcom County households struggle to make ends meet despite often working one or more jobs.

Additional Programs Funded

Beyond Community Impact grants, United Way also funds and manages:
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• Childcare expansion
• ALICE@Work program and data
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) - federal program facilitating

Program History

United Way of Whatcom County has provided unrestricted grant dollars to support a community safety net of over 20 local nonprofits for nearly 70 years.