United Way to Distribute $650,000 in Funding Opportunities for Local Programs and Initiatives
United Way of Lane County has just opened three funding opportunities for local nonprofits and initiatives, including one brand new opportunity, with the intention of investing $650,000 in the 2023 cycle. Two grant opportunities will support nonprofits and coalitions helping children and youth succeed; the third grant will support initiatives advancing racial justice locally. Applications are due by January 30, with funding decisions being announced this spring and summer.
“These grants are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who’ve given to our unrestricted Live United Fund in the last year, and funding decisions are guided by local community volunteers. It is truly a community-driven effort.”
Previous Transformation Grant recipient, 15th Night, used their United Way funding to expand their “School Based Mobilization” model to inform students of available resources.
The need for funding to support local programs is substantial. In United Way’s last major funding cycle, funding requests totaled four times what United Way had available to invest. Nevertheless, the funds are crucial to local programs’ ability to affect change for local kids and families. In past, funds have been used to expand girls’ empowerment classes, increase food security in rural areas of the county, provide STEM opportunities for youth, provide safe, stable housing, and much more.
“We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for United Way’s ongoing support. It helps us with our strategic planning, keeping our waitlist open, and scaling our services.”
Grant Details
Two of the open funding opportunities will support initiatives helping Lane County kids succeed in school and life. Community Support grants are two-year grants, $5,000 to $20,000 per year, for general operating support, program delivery, or collaboration between two or more organizations. Community Transformation grants are three-year grants, $50,000 to $75,000 per year, to support cross-sector, multi-agency collaboratives creating systemic change in our community.
Racial Justice grant priorities were informed by several conversations with local communities of color, to hear what needs currently exist and how best to address them.
Racial Justice grants are a new addition to United Way’s funding opportunities. These are one-year investments of up to $5,000 for program/project support or general operating support for initiatives advancing racial justice in Lane County. These grants can support individuals (with a fiscal sponsor), programs, or initiatives. Priorities for this grant opportunity have been shaped by conversations with local communities of color, with the intention of investing in grassroots initiatives and emerging programs.
Eligible programs and organizations can apply for any or all of the funding opportunities; application materials for all three grants are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30. Funding decisions will be announced this spring and summer. More information about each grant and application can be found here..
“Giving to United Way’s general Live United Fund is one of the most powerful ways people in our community can support their neighbors—both today, and far into our future. Donations of every size, whether $2 or $20,000, are pooled together to create these grants,” shared Jared Pruch, United Way’s Director of Community Impact, “and invested strategically to support people impacted by our community’s toughest challenges. Whether you want to shore up resources for our rural community members, invest in new and emerging initiatives led by people of color, expand educational opportunities for youth, or more, donations have exponential impact throughout our community through these Live United Fund grants. We are honored to steward these donations back into the community, where needs are greatest.”
Your investment into United Way of Lane County makes these funding opportunities possible. Give today.