Community Impact

Community Impact Fund Guidelines and
Expectations

Community Impact Fund (CIF) Grant Guidelines & General Information

 

  • All applicant agencies must have been a United Way of Northwest Florida Affiliated Agency for one year.
  • Grants are limited to awards of $5,000 or less.
  • Only CIF grant requests that align with UWNWFL’s Community Impact Areas of Education, Income, or Health, are eligible for funding. See “Community Impact Areas Overview” below for general information.
  • Please keep answers to no more than 500 words.
  • Submitting a Community Impact Fund grant application does not guarantee a grant award.
  • The Funds Distribution committee will not change the grant parameters during the funds distribution process. (ie. All applications that align with UWNWFL’s Community Impact Areas will be considered.)
  • The full application must be submitted by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 10, 2024. *No late submissions will be accepted.
  • The UWNWFL funding year is July to February.
  • UWNWFL has established Funds Distribution Committees comprised of community volunteers. These committees are responsible for reviewing applications and providing funding recommendations to UWNWFL’s Board of Directors.

 

Expectations of Community Impact Grant Recipients

 

Agencies that receive funding from United Way of Northwest Florida (UWNWFL) are expected to adhere to and uphold
the following:

 

  • Submit the following reports for each funded program:
    A. Mid-Year Data Collection
    B. End-of-Year Report
     
  • Take a proactive stance in strengthening our relationship and relationships within our communities, including, but not limited to:
    A. Notifying UWNWFL of significant changes in any of the following: organizational structure, facilities, outcomes provided to the community, policies or program delivery structure.
    B. Understanding that all funding is contingent upon the availability of funds.
    C. Identifying itself as a UWNWFL Funded Partner and use logos in recognition of shared work.
    D. Accepting and utilizing UWNWFL funds, for the period covered by the MOU, as indicated in the funding decision letter and for the purposes so designated.
    E. Offering site visits to funders, volunteers, donors, etc.

 

Compliance

 

Funded Partners will be required to sign an annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Funded Partners that do not
comply with the expectations as outlined in the MOU may be subject to suspension or termination of funding.
Funding Criteria:

 

  • UWNWFL provides funding to agencies that demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality programming and an ability to achieve outcomes in one or more of our impact areas of Education, Income, and Health.
  • Each agency submitting a full application for funding will be required to track and report results as outlined in Appendix A. Applicants should review the outcomes and indicators to identify the primary strategy with which the proposed application aligns.

Mid-Year and End-Year Reporting

 

You will also be asked to submit:

  • Mid- year and end-year grant award financials.
  • 1-5 photographs with appropriate releases. When action photos of clients being served are not possible, staff/event
    or group shots are welcomed.

 

Community Impact Areas Overview

 

Education
Help today’s youth achieve their greatest potential by focusing on early learning and leadership programs. Assuring that
children birth-18 have access to good education, food, fitness, and overall health.

Income
Empowering families with resources that allow them to support themselves. Give individuals and families the skills and
tools needed to earn, keep, and grow their assets. Provide the building blocks to create a better life.

Health
Programs that ensure our communities and community members have the opportunity to achieve optimal health.
Ensuring access to quality healthcare, dental programs, and nutritional food for those who do not know where to get
their next meal. Energizing all residents to be healthy, secure, and active in their community.

 

Appendix A
Funding Priority Outcomes and Required Indicators
(Mid and End-Year Reporting Measures)

 

EDUCATION
Outcomes:
• Children achieve developmental milestones.
• Children are proficient on school readiness assessment by the end of their kindergarten year.
• Children read at grade level.
• Children and Youth maintain satisfactory or improved school attendance.
• Youth graduate on time.
• Youth served gain, post-secondary employment, further education, or credentials.
• Middle School/High School students served earn passing grades in core subject areas.
• Middle School/High School students develop soft skills.
Performance Indicators:
• Number of children (0-5) enrolled in high-quality childhood programs.
• Number of children served receiving literacy support K-3.
• Number of families, caregivers, served that are provided with information, resources, tools, trainings,
and/or teaching skills.
• Number of early childhood staff trained to provide quality services.
• Number of school-aged youth who participle in school and/or community-based out- of- school time
programs.
• Number of youth who receive job skills training.
• Number of youth development staff trained to provide quality services.

 

INCOME
Outcomes:
• Individuals gain employment.
• Veterans gain employment.
• Individuals increase their wages.
• Individuals increase their disposable income by accessing benefits and/or reducing costs.
• Individuals served earn job-related licenses, certificates, and/ or credentials.
Performance Indicators:
• Number of Individuals who receive job skills training.
• Number of individuals served who access affordable housing, financial products, and services.
• Number of individuals served who receive financial and budgeting training.

 

HEALTH
Outcomes:
• Children and adults served will eat healthier, increase their physical activity, and/or move towards a
healthy weight.
• Babies served will experience healthy birth outcomes (celebrate their 1st birthday, carried to full term,
born at a healthy weight).
• Families and individuals are given the opportunity to be secure in a home with access to all utilities.
• Families and individuals are free from worry of homelessness.
Performance Indicators:
• Number of individuals served who participate in physical activity and/or healthy food access/nutrition
programs.
• Number of individuals served with access to healthcare services and supports.
• Number of Health sector staff trained to provide quality services.
• Number of individuals served with utility payment support.
• Dollar amount of utility payment assistance.
• Number of individuals served by rent/mortgage assistance.
• Dollar amount of rent/mortgage assistance.

 

Agencies that wish to apply for a Community Impact Grant must be a United Way of Northwest Florida Affiliated Agency for at least one year prior to applying for the grant. 

Instructions

All applicants are required to have or create an account to complete and submit your application(s).  Keep your user name and password handy so that you can "save a draft" and return to complete your submission (note: you must click 'save draft' at the bottom of the page in order to save; the form will not 'auto-save').  Also this user name and password will continue to be used for agency reporting and future applications.

  • LOGIN HERE (If you already have a user name and password)
  • CREATE AN ACCOUNT (New users only - an email will be sent to you to complete your account setup)
  • RESET YOUR PASSWORD (if your email has been used previously, you can reset your password.)
  • LOGOUT (Be sure to log out once you have saved your draft or submitted your application)

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  Do not leave any blanks; enter N/A if not applicable.
Grant Applications are due no later than 4:00 pm May 10th, 2024. No late submissions will be reviewed.