United Way of Central New York is pleased to announce the opening of the 2008-2011 Community Program Fund application period. All 501 (c)(3) human service organizations serving residents of Onondaga County are invited to apply for program funding in our 5 Vision Areas:

1. Improving the lives of children so they are physically, emotionally, and educationally ready to succeed.
2. Developing the lives of youth and teens so they have the skills and supports to become successful.
3. Providing services so individuals and families have the help they need in times of crisis.
4. Helping individuals and families acquire the skills and supports that enable them to live at their highest degree of independence.
5. Helping people with personal and family problems so they can improve their functioning and well-being.

Application to United Way’s Community Program Fund is a two-phase process:

• PHASE 1. The Fiscal and Management Assessment is due to the United Way of Central New York by August 24, 2007 at 4:00pm. Agencies that successfully meet the fiscal and management requirements will be notified by October 31, 2007 of their eligibility to proceed to Phase 2, the Program Application.
• PHASE 2. Program Assessment will be due by December 14, 2007 at 4:00pm. 

Patriot Act Compliance

As you may be aware, the United States government has established anti-terrorism security standards for non-profit organizations. In accordance with these statutes, funding organizations such as United Way of Central New York must ask the organizations that receive funding from us to annually certify in writing that they are in compliance with the US Patriot Act and other counter-terrorism laws.

This form should be completed by the senior executive or Board Chair of your organization.

Receipt of your completed statement will help to ensure that payments to your organization in the coming year will be processed as smoothly as possible. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Download the Patriot Act Compliance Certification.

Click here for additional resources regarding Patriot Act Compliance.

No late submissions will be accepted for either part of the application.

United Way will offer technical assistance sessions and staff will be available to answer questions (see the Technical Assistance Section of the application for dates and times).  If you would like a hard copy of the application, please contact Rosy George at 428.2236.  If you have questions about the allocations process please contact Jenni Bartholomew, Vice President, Community Impact Division, at 428-2238. 

This fund is designed to strengthen the operations of human service agencies serving residents of Onondaga County. This year, our mini-grants have been replaced by three different capacity building opportunities:

PLEASE NOTE: Starting in 2008, agencies may receive only one Capacity Building Fund Grant per year (either a Technology Grant or a Consulting Services Grant).

• Technology Grants Opportunity Spring grant application deadline Monday, March 24, 2008
  These grants will be used to improve delivery of client services and/or to improve overall organizational efficiency. Applications may be for single-purchase projects, agency-wide projects, or inter-agency collaborations.
  
• Consulting Grants Funding Winter grant application deadline Monday, January 21, 2008
  These agency grants will provide support for professional consultation in areas such as strategic planning, Board relations, change management, etc.
  
• Community Trainings Funding opportunities begin later this year
  These trainings will developed to address specific areas of need that affect segments of the agency community. Trainings could include such topics as impact of new legislation, population-specific issues, or areas of general interest—fundraising, marketing etc.

For more information about the Capacity Building Fund please contact Rosy George at 315-428-2236 or rgeorge@unitedway-cny.org.

The Community Initiative Fund supports innovative approaches to addressing important human care issues in Onondaga County. Since 1998, United Way’s Initiative Fund has provided support to initiatives that worked to produce system-level improvements by addressing fragmentation and gaps in services, providing new or improved service delivery, or by responding to emerging or underserved community needs. This year, United Way plans to be a more active partner in the initiatives we fund, participating in dialogues with agencies and collaboratives throughout the application process.

The Initiative Fund offers a flexible funding opportunity designed to promote effective community problem solving. Proposals for Initiative Grant funding should:

• Demonstrate an innovative approach to a significant community issue.
• Capitalize on community collaborations by working with pre-existing or newly-created partnerships among organizations committed to a common mission.
• Build on current agency/collaborative strengths.
• Incorporate the use of best-practice methodologies.
• Demonstrate appropriate racial and cultural sensitivity.
• Feature preventive, comprehensive/holistic services.
• Support system-oriented outcomes and connect to larger community change.

United Way will also consider research projects that:

• Illuminate community conditions or needs.
• Feature the collection of a wide array of community perspectives.
• Directly connect with target communities.

Check out Recent Grants >>