United Way opens Unite Charlotte, United Neighborhoods grant cycles
United Way of Central Carolinas announced today the opening of its 2021 grant cycles for Unite Charlotte and United Neighborhoods – two programs that are part of the agency’s community impact strategy for strengthening neighborhoods, boosting economic mobility and advancing racial equity.
As part of United Way’s annual community investment initiative, Unite Charlotte and United Neighborhoods support a long-range vision to assist nonprofit organizations working to address our community’s most daunting social challenges. The needs of the community are growing in scope and at an accelerated rate, such as families needing help to become financially stable, preparing children to enter school ready to read, providing technology for job training and addressing the challenges faced by historically disinvested neighborhoods.
To date, United Way has invested about $1.2 million in nearly 30 Unite Charlotte partners, as well as committed $2.4 million over three years to support revitalization efforts in eight local neighborhoods.
“Perhaps now more than ever, United Way’s ongoing efforts to build stronger neighborhoods for greater economic mobility remain vitally important,” said Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, chief impact officer at United Way. “We also recognize the key role we play in advancing racial equity through investments in grassroots nonprofit organizations.”
About Unite Charlotte
Established in response to the civic unrest in Charlotte in late 2016, Unite Charlotte provides funding for new nonprofits and grassroots organizations in Mecklenburg County offering innovative solutions to improving economic mobility, building social capital and advancing racial equity.
Funding is prioritized for organizations with programs and initiatives that specifically address racial equity, poverty, civil rights and/or access and inclusion for historically underrepresented or marginalized groups. Unite Charlotte also invests in capacity-building trainings for nonprofits to strengthen program quality and foster organizational growth.
Unite Charlotte makes one-year grant awards averaging $5,000–$25,000 to organizations with budgets under $250,000. However, grant awards may fluctuate based on funding availability and decisions made by the grant-making committee.
Agencies interested in receiving funding through Unite Charlotte should submit a complete Letter of Interest by noon on Monday, June 1, 2020. United Way’s Community Impact team will notify each applicant agency if it has advanced to the next stage of the application process by early July.
View the full list of Unite Charlotte funding eligibility guidelines and additional considerations here. Questions and inquires may be sent to unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org.
About United Neighborhoods
Launched in 2017 in the Renaissance and Grier Heights communities, United Neighborhoods works to change the odds for individuals and families living in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.
United Way works with a lead partner in each neighborhood to fund organizations and guide efforts toward building thriving communities where families want to live, while generating outcomes that can impact multiple generations. Along with addressing priorities identified by residents and community stakeholders, funding is prioritized for organizations offering evidence-based and research-informed services, working within a two-generational family context and advancing a racial equity framework.
The total funding available to each neighborhood is $300,000. Funding may go toward multiple organizations or a single, highly collaborative initiative.
Agencies interested in receiving funding through United Neighborhoods for programmatic work in Renaissance and/or Grier Heights should submit a complete Letter of Interest by noon on Friday, May 15, 2020. United Way’s Community Impact team will notify each applicant agency if it has advanced to the next stage of the application process by mid-June.
View more information on United Neighborhoods community priorities and funding expectations here. Questions and inquires may be sent to unitedneighborhoods@uwcentralcarolinas.org.
Source: UWCC News
Date: May 1, 2020