how to apply

Community Transformation Grants

We are no longer accepting Letters of Inquiry for the Community Transformation grants.

Purpose

United Way invites Letters of Inquiry from applicants whose goals are aligned with our vision of ensuring that children in Lane County are successful in school and life. Community Transformation Grants are a intended to support projects and organizations whose efforts align with one or more of United Way’s four Outcome Areas:

  1. Family health & stability: prioritizing access to food security, stable housing, and other basic needs for families and children, including and especially in rural communities in Lane County.

  2. Kindergarten readiness: prioritizing access to preschool and childcare, parenting supports, kindergarten transition programs, and other supports for vulnerable pre-k children.

  3. Elementary school success: prioritizing access to literacy programs, out of school and after school programs, and support for student health and wellness.

  4. Youth knowledge and skills: prioritizing access to programs and services that keep youth engaged in school and on track for graduation, and support for youth health and wellness. 

These grant awards are for a three-year period. Transformation grants are intended to foster and support strategic approaches to effecting positive systemic change for children and youth in our community. We aspire to support cross-sector, multi-agency collaborative efforts which are operating with a common agenda, shared measurements, and a backbone organization.

Priority Populations

For this funding opportunity, United Way of Lane County will prioritize proposals that serve the following communities:

  • American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN), Asian, Black, LatinX, Multiracial, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations

  • Rural areas of Lane County

  • Under-represented and/or underserved populations including, but not limited to people living with physical and cognitive disabilities and LGBTQ+ people

  • ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), or families navigating poverty

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must provide services in Lane County, Oregon have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, be classified as a public entity, or have a qualified fiscal sponsor (i.e. a sponsoring tax-exempt organization). Projects should have a minimum of three committed partners.

The rubric for the Community Transformation grants can be found here.

Amounts

Grants between $50,000 and $75,000 will be awarded to eligible organizations that are serving as a “backbone” organization for a multi-organization collaborative.  

Funding Period

The grant award period will be July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, subject to annual review after one year.

Reporting

Recipients will provide a report within 30 days of the conclusion of each year of the grant period.

Questions

Applicants can ask questions regarding this Letter of Inquiry by contacting our Director of Community Impact, Jared Pruch, at jpruch@unitedwaylane.org.

TIMELINE AND PROCESS

We are no longer accepting applications for this grant.

  • December 2022: Applicants can access the Letter of Inquiry template

  • January 2, 2023: Applicants can create an Applicant Profile in our online grant management portal, and once approved, can submit their Letter Inquiry (again, there will be a slight delay between creating your profile and being able to submit a Letter of Inquiry).

  • January 30, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.: Letter of Inquiry due through online grant portal

  • Mid-February 2023: Programs will be notified if they are invited to submit a full proposal

  • July 2023: Funding begins

Frequently Asked Questions

When are Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) due?

Transformation Award LOIs are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2023. If invited to submit a full proposal, applicants will receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) in mid-February.

When will grants be made?

Grant awards will be announced in May 2023, and funding will begin on July 1, 2023.

What is the size and duration of award?

Awards will be between $50,000 and $75,000 annually, for a three-year commitment, subject to annual review.

May we apply for multiple United Way grants in this cycle, e.g. Community Support, Community Transformation, Racial Justice Fund?

Yes.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants that meet our eligibility criteria, including 501c3 nonprofit organizations, school districts, and community-based organizations working with a fiscal sponsor.

How will proposals be evaluated?

Volunteer reviewers will be asked to evaluate whether proposals:

  • Provide a clear and compelling description of the community need, rationale for target population and geographic area.

  • Show how activities or objectives are related to one of United Way’s Outcome Areas.

  • Demonstrates a shared commitment and track record of successful collaboration between partners.

  • Demonstrate how organizational strategy has been informed by the perspective of clients / beneficiaries.    

  • Envision a scope of impact that is appropriately scaled for the budget and timeline.

The rubric for the Community Transformation grants can be found here.