GRANT PROCESS
At United Way Fox Cities, we believe grantmaking is most effective when it’s transparent and community-informed. Learn about our grant process, what to expect when applying, and how decisions are made.
United is the Way we harness the collective power of caring—individual donors, workplace champions, and corporate partners—to fuel the programs and initiatives our community counts on. Because we invest only what our community raises, grant decisions follow our annual campaign (typically finalized in March), with funding beginning in May.
This ensures we:
- Align investments with real dollars entrusted by donors
- Stay responsive as needs evolve across the Fox Cities
- Maximize the impact of every donor gift
- Steward resources with transparency and long-term sustainability
Annual Grant Application Lifecycle
1. Letter of Intent (LOI)
Organizations submit a short form to confirm alignment with our funding priorities.
2. Full Application Invite
Based on the LOI, selected organizations are invited to submit a full proposal.
3. Scoring & Review
Trained community volunteers review applications using a shared decision-making process.
4. Consensus & Recommendations
Volunteer reviewers discuss scoring and make funding recommendations.
5. Board Approval
Final decisions are reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors.
6. Award Notification & Agreements
Organizations are notified and complete a grant agreement before funds are disbursed.
7. Reporting & Learning
Grantees report on their progress and outcomes. We combine this with community data and feedback to learn, adapt, and continually strengthen our impact strategies.
Please note this is the process for our annual cycle and may not be reflective of other funding opportunities that may be available in the future.
United way funding priorities
We invest in programs that respond to urgent community needs in our four impact areas.
While our four impact areas remain consistent, the specific issues we prioritize may change each year. Refer to each grant opportunity for more detailed information on priorities.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Helping young people realize their full potential
Here's how:
Making childcare and early learning more accessible
Supporting in-school, afterschool, and summer learning opportunities
Promoting early literacy that sparks imagination and growth
Helping families nurture each child’s strengths and curiosity
Connecting young people with mentors, skills, and career pathways
Preparing teens and young adults for college, careers, and leadership
Encouraging youth voices to shape stronger communities
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
Improving health and well-being for all
Here's how:
Expanding access to health insurance and quality care — especially for underrepresented populations
Connecting expecting parents to maternal health and early childhood services
Promoting nutrition and food security so families can thrive
Supporting mental health awareness and services for all ages
Increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe community spaces
Providing compassionate recovery resources for those affected by substance misuse
Raising awareness and prevention for chronic and infectious diseases
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Creating a stronger financial future for every generation
Here's how:
Improving access to technology, continuing education, job training, and career pathways
Supporting financial education programs and personalized coaching services
Investing in affordable housing solutions and homelessness prevention
Connecting individuals to public benefits and free tax preparation resources
Helping families build savings and plan for long-term stability
Supporting small businesses to strengthen local economies
COMMUNITY RESILIENCY
Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow
Here's how:
Operating the 211 helpline for 24/7 crisis and resource support
Collaborating with local partners to prepare for and respond to emergencies
Sharing tools and information to help people navigate urgent needs
Supporting recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts
Promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable community practices
Mobilizing volunteers and resources at the speed of need
How We Develop Our Process
Our grantmaking framework is built on these principles:
Community-Led: We engage community members and partners and leverage data to shape funding priorities, our application, and the decision-making process.
Volunteer-Driven: Trained Community Impact volunteers review applications and make recommendations through a collaborative process.
Trust-Based: We reduce unnecessary burden by streamlining application and reporting requirements.
Transparent: We strive to publish scoring rubrics, share application timelines, and communicate openly with applicants.
QUESTIONS
Have questions about the process or timeline? Our Community Impact Team is here to help.
Email us at: grants@unitedwayfoxcities.org
Please call 211