Eligibility
The Initiative Fund will consider proposals from:
-
Established 501(c)(3) organizations undertaking new initiatives.
Initiative Fund projects must not include additional funding
for any program, program segment, or other project currently
funded through United Way’s Community Program Fund
or Capacity Building Fund.
- Collaborative partnerships
that may include a mix of agencies, volunteer groups,
and/or government/public entities. Collaborative
partnerships that include diverse representation in support
of the needs of the target community are especially encouraged.
One partner in the collaboration must be a funding-eligible
501 (c)(3), designated as the lead organization and able to meet
our fiscal requirements.
Application Process
The Initiative Fund application opportunity will be ongoing
throughout the year. By accepting proposals continually,
United Way will
be able to collect information about community needs
and emerging issues and facilitate collaborations among endeavors
where
appropriate. The application process consists of two component phases:
LETTER
OF INTENT (LOI) Please call to confirm the
deadline dates for submission of Letters of Intent.
LOIs will be assessed for initiative feasibility,
community
need, and fit
within United Way’s Human Care Investment
Strategy. LOIs that are determined to represent
viable initiatives
will then
be encouraged to submit a detailed application
during one of the three annual application periods.
Please
note that
the invitation
to apply does not guarantee funding. After the LOI is received, a team of volunteers
will review the proposed initiative and you may be
contacted for additional
information.
Expect the LOI review process to take 6-8 weeks. If the
project is approved for further consideration, you will
be invited
to submit a formal application.
- FORMAL APPLICATION United
Way will consider applications in April, August,
and December. Initiatives will be evaluated based
upon the lead agency’s fiscal stability, the merits of
the initiative, and ongoing sustainability. After
the review of
any applications,
recommendations will be made to the United Way Board
of Directors, which has the ultimate authority to make funding
decisions.
Funding
Grants will be made as single-year commitments. The
minimum first-time annual award is $25,000. Subsequently,
based on
community needs
and the success of the initiative, up to two years of additional
funding may be granted. Initiative Fund support will not
extend beyond three years.
Reporting
Successful applicants will be required to submit
periodic reports to United Way. Six-Month and
Yearly Reports will
primarily
focus on progress toward identified outputs and outcomes.
Additional Information
An overview of United Way of Central New York's current
Human Care Investment Strategy is on the Agency Supports
section
of our website www.unitedway-cny.org.
For assistance or questions about the Initiative Fund, please
contact Douglas Mouncey from United Way’s Community Impact
Division at 315.428.2229 or dmouncey@unitedway-cny.org.
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