Grant Partnerships

Creating Lasting Change Together

United Way of Champaign County addresses our community’s most urgent challenges through Community Impact Grants. Local nonprofits partner with us to drive measurable progress toward shared goals.

Grants are awarded through a competitive process and reviewed by volunteers, experts, staff, and the Board. Selected programs:

  • Align with United Way’s Community Change Goals

  • Use proven, evidence-based strategies

  • Track outcomes with data

  • Collaborate with partners

This ensures every dollar creates real results for families and neighborhoods across Champaign County.

Funding Source 

Community Impact Grants are powered by donations to United Way’s Community Impact Fund. Each year, thousands give to this fund to help solve our community’s toughest problems—together, we make lasting change.

Grants

Steps to Apply for Funding

  1. Attend Info Session – Learn United Way goals and metrics.
  2. Submit Application – Provide narrative and data showing alignment.
  3. Application Review – Volunteers & experts evaluate evidence-based practice, partnerships, DEI, and effectiveness.
  4. Committee Review – Community Impact Committee recommends programs.
  5. Board Approval – Final decisions by the Board of Directors.

If awarded, programs sign a contract. Grants are typically 1–2 years.

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • Serve clients in Champaign County.
  • Have bylaws, an active Board, and nondiscrimination policies.
  • Track and report measurable outcomes.
  • Be a human service agency or 501(c)(3), or have a fiscal sponsor.
  • Provide financial audit/review and IRS Form 990 (audit required if revenue ≥ $300k).
  • Cooperate with United Way in fundraising, planning, reporting, and communications.

Not funded: individuals, political causes, capital campaigns, endowments, marketing opportunities, event fundraisers, or sports. Faith-based programs are eligible if services aren’t restricted by participation in religious activities.

Submission

Application Materials

Applicants must provide:

  • Agency and program budgets
  • Board list and meeting dates
  • Financial documentation (audit/review + IRS Form 990)
  • Proof of nonprofit status or fiscal sponsor

Grants fund programs, not general operating expenses.

Criteria

What We Look For

Successful applications show:

  • Strong alignment with United Way’s goals
  • Evidence-based strategies
  • Collaboration and partnerships
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Program sustainability and measurable impact
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