Organizations that focus to support "whole family" initiatives in these areas:
Applicants must meet the following criteria. United Way encourages nonprofit organizations of all sizes that meet these criteria to apply:
- Provides health or human services to children, birth through middle school, in Yakima and/ Kittitas County, Washington, USA;
- Is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in good standing with the IRS;
- Is registered with the Washington State Secretary of State as a charitable organization;
- Complies annually with the USA PATRIOT Act;
- Does not engage in discrimination because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law in the delivery of services;
- Has an active board of directors that meets with a quorum at least quarterly;
- Prepares financial statements, at least quarterly, which are reviewed and approved by the board of directors;
- Files a Form 990 or 990-EZ with the Internal Revenue Service annually if gross receipts exceed $50,000, or files a Form 990-N Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) if gross receipts are at or below $50,000; and
- Submits to United Way the most recent audited or reviewed financial statement. Agencies with $250,000 or more in annual gross income must submit audited or reviewed financial statements to be eligible for funding. Agencies with less than $250,000 in annual gross income must submit compiled, board-reviewed financial statements to be eligible for funding. United Way will provide independent review of these statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
QUICK OVERVIEW
United Way of Central Washington serves Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply in each of the two counties, if they have a presence in that county and the program serves (or will serve) in one of those counties. Grant applications will be available on a yearly basis. The Community Investment Committee is a group of volunteers that review LOI’s, determine invitations to the grant application, score these applications, and then recommend awards to the United Way of Central Washington’s Board of Directors for final approval.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
July 2024 – June 2025
We will accept LOI’s in April and May of 2024. Applications will be available by invitation only; these will be sent out June 2024. Application deadline is August of 2024. Awards will be announced by September 2024 and payments will be distributed as determined by the applicant. Additional information will be available to those who are invited to apply.
Funding
WHAT DOES UNITED WAY FUND?
United Way of Central Washington focuses on programs that commit to a “whole family” pathway and can be classified as a service or resource for education, health, income, or basic needs.
WHAT IS THE GRANT FUNDING CYCLE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
The beginning of the Annual Campaign also starts off the Grant Funding Cyle. Then, local organizations apply for funding. Once the application deadline arrives, the applications are reviewed, evaluated, and discussed by a group of local volunteers called the Community Investment Committee, who then recommend the allocations to the board. The allocation recommendation must be approved through the United Way of Central Washington’s Board of Directors.
HOW IS FUNDING DETERMINED?
United Way of Central Washington awards grants from the fiscal years anticipated funds raised from the Annual Campaign.
HOW WILL AVAILABLE FUNDING BE ALLOCATED?
Funding will be allocated by priority areas and program focus. Our committee will compare applications and determine which best fits the needs of the community as well as align with the current focus area.
IF MY AGENCY AND PROGRAM IS FUNDED, CAN WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE FULL AMOUNT OF OUR FUNDING REQUEST?
We will do our best to meet the full fund request. However, it is common to receive less than your requested amount as the committee will make determinations based on a scoring rubric.
WHY IS THERE A FUNDING FOCUS ON “WHOLE FAMILY”?
Studies have shown that in order to overcome intergenerational poverty, parents need the right tools to gain stability. The stability of the household will in turn give children the ability to focus on their education and future. No one should have to worry about where their next meal will be or how they will find shelter.
SHOULD MY ORGANIZATION STILL APPLY IF WE DON’T CONSIDER RACIAL EQUITY OR DON’T COLLECT RACIAL DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION?
Yes. United Way uses a multi-faceted decision-making rubric that considers many factors; racial equity is just one of them.
MY ORGANIZATION IS VERY SMALL. SHOULD WE APPLY FOR FUNDING?
Yes. United Way encourages small nonprofit organizations that meet minimum eligibility requirements to apply, and we anticipate making awards to a broad range of organizations.
Application Process
CAN I APPLY IF MY AGENCY DOES NOT HAVE 501C3 STATUS FROM THE IRS?
Yes, by a fiscal partner with a 501c3 status as designated by the IRS. This fiscal sponsor will complete the application if they are willing to receive funds and accept responsibility for their proper expenditure.
HOW MANY PROGRAMS CAN I APPLY FOR?
You may submit an application for as many programs that fit into United Way’s focus areas. Please consider narrowing your submissions to the most aligned programs.
IF WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH ANOTHER AGENCY ON THIS PROGRAM, SHOULD THEY ALSO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION?
No. An application is only needed from the primary agency serving as the fiscal agent for the project, as this agency is responsible for appropriate use of funds.
IF WE ACCEPT UNITED WAY FUNDING, ARE WE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PROOF OF AN ANNUAL
AUDIT/REVIEW BY A CPA?
Yes. We only ask for an annual audit or independent review during the application process from agencies with $250,000 or more in gross annual income. For agencies with less than $250,000 in gross annual income we require board-reviewed financial statements.
MY AGENCY WAS NOT AWARDED FUNDING IN A PREVIOUS FUNDING CYCLE. CAN I STILL APPLY IN THIS FUNDING CYCLE?
Yes! We welcome applications regardless of previous funding history with United Way.
If you meet the requirements and would like to submit a letter of intent, by clicking the button below.
*Application process is not open. You must be invited to apply after you have submitted an LOI and the committee has reviewed it and has been approved for the next step.
Check out our current partner agencies: https://www.uwcw.org/community-partners
Questions? Contact Barbara Kinmark-Gurney, Community Engagement Manager at barbara@uwcw.org or 509.248.1557