Grants are allocated by a team of volunteers
United Way Blackhawk Region (UWBR)’s highly competitive Community Grants process wrapped up two weeks of panel presentations in April and May.
Here is the step-by-step process we refer to as due diligence.
1. Application
First, if a health and human service program is deemed eligible, the program is invited to submit an extensive online application. By extensive, I mean it’s 12 pages with 11 attachments.
Our process is designed to award funds to programs demonstrating community need, articulating program efficacy, delivering measurable outcomes and effective services. UWBR’s grant process is zero based meaning an award in a previous cycle does not guarantee future funding. Every applicant starts at zero and must continually, bring their A-game to the table.
Included in the application, is an upload of the nonprofits’ independent audit, their IRS Form 990 and agency budget. This portion of the application is specifically reviewed by a volunteer team of finance professionals to identify any solvency issues, appropriate overhead, as well as any concerns about the agency’s financial health.
2. Review Panel
Next, a separate volunteer review panel comprised of local subject matter experts and community leaders, evaluates the online application. Uniquely, United Way’s volunteers then meet with the applicant organization for a panel presentation and Q&A.
This has been likened to the popular show, Shark Tank. Volunteers learn more about the program from the people closest to it and ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate that they came prepared. Volunteers must determine if awarding a grant is a prudent investment and whether the program will deliver results.
3. Group evaluation
Following the panel presentation, a group evaluation is done in real time and a funding recommendation is made. Perhaps it goes without saying, but the escalating needs in our community exceed dollars available to invest, so volunteers can be tasked with making some difficult decisions.
The volunteer panel formulates funding recommendations which are extensively vetted by yet another group of volunteers, our Community Impact Council, and a final funding recommendation is sent to our board of directors for approval. While UWBR’s lean team orchestrates the logistics of this process, we do not have a vote – all decisions are made by volunteers.
4. Post-award follow-up
When an organization is fortunate to be awarded a Community Grant, accountability doesn’t end there. UWBR-funded programs must submit mid-cycle reports. Our volunteer Community Impact Council review reports for trends and tracking on measurable outcomes.
In rare cases, if serious concerns arise that are not remedied, funding may be paused or discontinued. UWBR’s commitment to responsible stewardship is unparalleled.
You may be thinking – these are lofty expectations for nonprofits. That’s true, but more than 30 local programs are currently meeting this high bar. We are incredibly proud of the integrity of this volunteer-driven process.
United, we’re fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of the Blackhawk Region.
