Apply for Funding

OUR FOCUS AREAS

  • Youth Opportunity: Helping young people realize their full potential. 
    • We want kids to soar at every age. So, we connect them with the support they need to thrive from preschool through college and into their careers.
  • Healthy Community: Improving health and well-being for all
    • Helping moms and kids stay healthy. Finding ways to stop hunger. Getting seniors to appointments. We’re improving health and wellbeing for all.
  • Financial Security: Creating a stronger financial future for every generation
    • Everyone deserves the opportunity to earn a living that can sustain a family and build security for future generations. We help achieve those goals.
  • Community Resiliency: Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow
    • A resilient community is one that can anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from economic, social, natural, man-made or other crises -- emerging stronger than before. At United Way, we believe that when we mobilize the caring power of our communities, there is no obstacle we can’t overcome. We’re doing that through 211, the 24-7 connection to local resources United Way supports, and through disaster resiliency, preparedness and long-term recovery, and thought leadership.

GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

United Way of Northwest Alabama is committed to supporting a wide range of community service organizations providing a variety of services to individuals, families, and groups who need help.

United Way of Northwest Alabama also recognizes its responsibility to allocate funds to its participating agencies in the most impactful and fiscally responsible manner possible. Therefore, agencies must meet the following criteria to apply and receive United Way funding. 

Currently, our grant process runs annually. Applications have closed for 2026. Please subscribe to our social media to watch for the opening of our next funding cycle. 

REQUIREMENTS

This funding process is open to any program that: 

  • Is run by a 501(c)(3) organization
  • Serves residents in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, and/or Marion Counties
  • Has demonstrated measurable outcomes and impact in the focus areas listed above
  • Conducts an independent financial audit annually if revenue exceeds $500,000, or an independent review if below $500,000
  • Is governed by a board of local volunteers


Not eligible for funding:

  1. Events 
  2. Programs requiring participation in religious/faith-based activities
  3. Individuals

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application consists of the following steps

  • Letter of Intent – Agencies provide basic organizational and programmatic information to be reviewed to ensure they meet United Way funding criteria. The request for the Letter of Intent is generally released in December or early January.
  • Invitation to Apply - Agencies meeting the criteria to apply in the Letter of Intent are invited to complete a full application in early February. Applications are typically due mid-March.
  • Agency Visits – Impact Team Volunteers visit agencies to learn more about their program and ask clarifying questions regarding the application.
  • Funding Recommendations – Recommendations are presented to the United Way Board of Directors at the May meeting. Once approval is secured, agencies are notified of their allocations for the coming year.
  • Fund Dispersal – Funds are dispersed over a 12-month period from July – June.

DESIGNATIONS

United Way of Northwest Alabama honors all donor designations to non-profit organizations. Designations to funded agencies are added to their allocation amount and dispersed as part of their monthly payment. Non-funded agencies and designations to other United Ways are paid quarterly as the funds are received from the donors.