United Way Grants

We Fight For:

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COVID-19 Response

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Community Impact

United Way Blackhawk Region continues our transformation to the evidence based, Community Impact business model. As we’ve learned, solely raising funds and distributing them to agencies no longer holds value and is not sustainable.

Donors expect measurable impact and return on investment. The Community Impact model focuses on outcomes vs. outputs, increases accountability to our donors and uses data to inform and move the needle on our community’s most pressing needs.

By design, the Community Impact model requires us to turn outward and to give voice to the diverse communities we serve. The people and families who live in our neighborhoods are the subject matter experts and we need their input to know what will best support their communities and help families thrive.

With a dedicated Community Impact Council and board of directors, a network of funded Program Partners and their talented teams, and hundreds of local volunteers, United Way is well positioned to move forward on this journey of change.

United Way Grants

United Way’s highly competitive Community Grant process is designed to award funds to programs demonstrating community need, articulating program efficacy, delivering measurable outcomes and effective services. Three tiers of volunteer-driven reviews are conducted on each Community Grant application. Upon recommendation of the volunteer-led Community Impact Council, United Way’s Board of Directors ultimately approves Community Grants to local health and human service programs administered by nonprofit agencies. No single volunteer or staff person at United Way makes these investment decisions.

Funded Partners

The following resources are for current, Funded Partners of United Way Blackhawk Region:

How does an organization become eligible to receive United Way Blackhawk Region (UWBR) funding?

While UWBR funding is by invitation only, UWBR’s volunteer Community Impact Council weigh a number of important factors in deciding whether to open the Community Grant application process to new organizations in the upcoming grant cycle.

When and if a decision is made to open the process, information will be disseminated to local media partners, as well as on UWBR’s social media channels. Interested health and human service programs that are new to UWBR’s investment process will be required to complete an Admission Eligibility Form. Acceptance of an Admission Eligibility application does not guarantee funding but may allow the applicant to advance to the full or formal application process.

Nonprofit organizations seeking consideration of their programs for United Way’s highly competitive community grants should have the ability to:

  • provide measurable outcomes;
  • address specific health and human service needs;
  • align with United Way’s mission and impact areas of health, education and financial stability;
  • provide program services in Rock County, Wis., and/or Northern Winnebago County, Ill.;
  • demonstrate a need for United Way funds; and
  • be fiscally responsible and efficient in administration and operation while avoiding duplication of services.

2023 – 2025 Admission / Eligibility Form

Please complete and submit the Eligibility Application for United Way Blackhawk Region’s 2023 – 2025 Community Grant cycle. The application window runs from Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

We’re sorry, but the application window has closed.

Secure Process

United Way Blackhawk Region’s Community Grant process is secure. All necessary procedures, forms and required attachments are accessed via e-CImpact, a secure, cloud-based Grant and Community Impact Management Software System.

While the e-CImpact portal is password protected, United Way will never request password information for social media accounts including but not limited to your organization’s Facebook page, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Snapchat accounts.

If you are being asked to provide passwords or information that seems out of the ordinary, you can reach out to us directly at 608-314-8424 or you can access reliable guidance via the Federal Trade Commission.