UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL CAROLINAS COMMUNITY IMPACT United Way fights for the education, health, and financial stability of every person in our community. THE HARD TRUTH In 2013, a Harvard University/UC Berkeley study uncovered that a child born in poverty in the Southeast has very little chance of climbing out of it during their lifetime. In fact, Charlotte-Mecklenburg ranked 50th out of 50 among the largest U.S. cities in economic mobility. But our challenge is not unique. Other communities across the South are dealing with the same issue. All too often, access to economic opportunity in our region is aligned with the zip code and neighborhood where one lives. 1 A TRUSTED LEADER When we come together with one voice, our community is truly advocating for our neighbors in need. From our unique position at the center of the nonprofit, government, philanthropic and business communities, UWCC drives focused collaboration among our partners to address communityspecific challenges with an emphasis on education, health, and financial stability, and to provide avenues for everyone to engage in creating change. A NEW APPROACH To create an environment of opportunity, where every child born in our community can succeed, we focus on three key areas: People, Places, and Systems. COMMUNITY IMPACT STRATEGY Focusing on education, health, financial stability, and basic needs, we work to address our community s economic mobility challenges. Our two-generation approach supports the entire family by intentionally focusing on the needs of both parent and child. To create an environment of opportunity for all, we focus on building stronger neighborhoods, improving the systems that serve children and families, and providing basic needs support across our region. This targeted approach is fueled by broad civic engagement that brings together the people, resources and services necessary to improve economic mobility. 1 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force. (2017). The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Report. Retrieved from: https://leadingonopportunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20170320_leadingonopportunity_report.pdf
We have three funding streams driving this impact: Impact Grants We support our five-county region through a network of partners that work collaboratively to provide comprehensive and coordinated services to achieve the best possible results. United Neighborhoods We utilize a community-led model to create sustained neighborhood change by working with key partners and community residents to drive transformation and revitalization efforts. Unite Charlotte We address issues related to racial equity and social justice through grants and capacity-building efforts to small and grassroots organizations that strengthen organizational and financial stability, program quality, and growth. UNITE CHARLOTTE Funding Overview Unite Charlotte, established in response to the unrest in Charlotte in September 2016, supports programs and organizations focused on building trust and creating opportunity in Mecklenburg County, NC. Building upon the findings and recommendations published in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force s report (www.leadingonopportunity.org), funded projects will align with United Way of Central Carolinas strategy of improving economic mobility for all (www.uwcentralcarolinas.org). Unite Charlotte specifically focuses on supporting new and/or grassroots organizations offering innovative solutions to improve racial equity and social capital. A diverse committee representing funders, the faith community, education and community leaders will review grant applications and make final recommendations for grant awards to United Way. Unite Charlotte makes one-year grants of up to 15,000 to organizations with budgets under 500,000. However, grant awards could be more or less based on the decision of the grant making committee, and grant awards will be based on funding availability. Limited technical assistance will be provided, if requested, to assist organizations in completing their applications. Organization Eligibility In order to be eligible for consideration, applicants and programs requesting funding must meet the following minimum requirements: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) organization with annual budgets under 500,000 OR apply through a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor organization (see Final Steps section of grant application) Program/project must be offered in Mecklenburg County Potential recipients of and participants in funded programs and services must have access to and receive services without regard to race, sex, education, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender self-identification, age, country of origin, first language, marital status, or citizenship Funded programs and services must not be used to proselytize (religious promotion/attempts to convert) directly or indirectly on behalf of any religious faith, doctrine, or belief. Previous Unite Charlotte grantees are eligible for funding.
Funding Priorities Unite Charlotte will prioritize grant awards for applicants that demonstrate most of the following characteristics: Program/project goals and outcomes that focus on improving economic mobility for all through social justice initiatives that specifically address racial equity, poverty, civil rights and/or access and inclusion for historically underrepresented or marginalized groups Program/project leverages partnerships and other resources Project/program is innovative in nature Staff and board that reflect the community(ies) that the organization serves Funding Categories Community Engagement These programs/projects will bring our community together to deepen understanding and trust, and build social capital for individuals and/or organizations. Programs/projects will work with identified groups of people who are connected by geography, interest or affiliation to understand and address issues affecting them. Institutional/Systems Change These programs/projects will work to improve racial equity and address barriers to accessing and fully capitalizing on benefits offered by institutions/systems designed to improve economic mobility. Organizational Capacity Building Funds will be used to provide direct support/technical assistance to organizations or groups focused on building their capacity to respond to future funding opportunities and/or improve service delivery. What Unite Charlotte Will NOT Fund: The following are examples of projects Unite Charlotte typically will NOT fund: Direct donations or grants to individuals For-profit organizations Capital or fundraising campaigns Operating expenses for direct service youth programs, including afterschool or summer camp programs however, funds for capacity building for such programs/organizations may be requested Political campaigns Projects with exclusively religious purposes Programs that do not focus on human services Programs that do not specifically serve Mecklenburg County
Funding Timeline Please note: While it is not a requirement to attend an information session/training, it is strongly encouraged. DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION 2/9/18 Unite Charlotte grant application Available at www.uwcentralcarolinas.org release date 2/13/18 Information Session/Training 6:00-7:00pm Marathon Praise Ministries 2230 Bancroft Street Charlotte, NC 28206 2/14/18 Information Session/Training 3:00 4:00pm United Way of Central Carolinas 301 S. Brevard Street Charlotte, NC 28202 2/15/18 Information Session/Training 3:00-4:00pm Latin American Coalition 4938 Central Avenue, Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28205 2/20/18 Information Session/Training 2:00 3:00pm Steele Creek Public Library 3620 Steele Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28273 3/5/18 Grant Application DUE 12:00pm Sent electronically to unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org 4/30/18 Grant Award Notifications Via Email Grant Reporting Requirements Grant reporting is greatly valued by Unite Charlotte. It offers grantees the opportunity to share their successes and demonstrate the impact of their work on the individuals, families and communities served through the grant period. Additionally, grant reports will educate United Way on challenges and barriers to successful execution of projects. To receive an award, grant recipients must agree to the following grant reporting requirements (details can be found at www.uwcentralcarolinas.org): 1. Initial check-in by United Way of Central Carolinas staff 2. Interim site visits by United Way of Central Carolinas staff 3. End-of-grant project evaluation site visit, including a verbal interview with key grantee and project stakeholders 4. Financial documentation supporting grant expenses, due at the end of the grant period. Submission Instructions Submit completed Unite Charlotte Grant Application with all required supporting documentation and signatures electronically to unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org with the subject line Unite Charlotte Application by Monday, March 5, 2018 at 12 Noon. If you have any questions, please email unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org.
Spring 2018 Funding Application Applicant Organization Legal Name: DBA/AKA (if applicable): Fiscal Sponsor Organization Legal Name (if applicable): EIN or Tax ID#: Fiscal Sponsor Contact Name: Phone: E-Mail: Applicant Organization Website (if applicable): Applicant Social Media Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Other: Total Applicant Organization Budget: Project Name: Amount Requested: Contact Name and Title: Mailing Address: Home/Office Phone: Cell Phone: Email: Application Preparer Name: Home/Office Phone: Cell Phone: Email: Applicant Organization Board Chair: E-mail:
Please answer the following questions for the project and applicant organization. Please select ONE Funding Category for the proposed project: Community Engagement Institutional/Systems Change Organizational Capacity Building Organization Mission [500 character limit] Brief Project/Program Summary [750 character limit] 1. Please describe the program/project that funds would be used to support. Describe how it relates to the Funding Category selected above, and identify whether this is a new program or an expansion of a current program. [2,000 character limit]
2. Who is the intended audience? [1,000 character limit] 3. When is the program/project going to take place? Include the date that the project will start and end. [1,000 character limit] 4. What geographic community(ies) will the program/project serve? [1,000 character limit]
5. Why is the program/project important to the community? How was the need identified? [2,000 character limit] 6. What are the program/project goals and how will they be measured? [2,000 character limit]
7. How will requested funds be used? [2,000 character limit] 8. Do similar programs exist in the area that this proposal seeks to serve? If so, why is this proposed program needed? How is it different? [2,000 character limit]
9. Is your organization led by (or was it founded by) those most directly impacted by the issue(s) on which your organization is focused? If not, what relationship to the issue(s) does the organization leadership or founders have? [2,000 character limit] 10. Please describe any partnerships or collaborations that are critical to the success of the program/project. You may also include up to two (2) letters of support. [2,000 character limit]
Program Budget Directions: Complete the following information regarding the budget for the requested program only. Total Program Expenses should equal Total Program Income. Funding/Project Time Period: PROGRAM REVENUES/INCOME Funding Source Secured or Requested Amount Unite Charlotte Requested Budget Notes: 500 Character Limit TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUES/ INCOME PROGRAM EXPENSES Item Total Cost Amount Requested from Unite Charlotte Total below should equal Total Program Revenues/Income TOTAL Total below should equal Total Unite Charlotte Request Amount Agency Executive Director Date Agency Executive Director (Fiscal Sponsor) Date
Final Steps/Application Checklist In order to complete your application, you must submit the following documentation. If the applicant organization is not a 501(c)(3) organization, your fiscal sponsor must provide the relevant documents: Completed application with Program Budget Organization Budget IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter Letter(s) of Support (if applicable) Submit completed Unite Charlotte Grant Application with all required supporting documentation and signatures electronically to unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org with the subject line Unite Charlotte Application by Monday, March 5, 2018 at 12 Noon. If you have any questions, please email unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org. Required Documents Upon Notification of Grant Award If your organization is awarded funding from United Way of Central Carolinas, you will be required to submit the following documentation (please do not submit with this application). If the applicant organization is not a 501(c)(3) organization, the fiscal sponsor must be able to provide the relevant documents. Please note that if you are not able to produce these documents upon notification of funding award, your award may be revoked. Upon grant award, the required documentation will need to be submitted electronically to unitecharlotte@uwcentralcarolinas.org with the subject line Unite Charlotte Supporting Documentation. Most recent audited financial statements or Independent Financial Review IRS Form 990 Current Board of Directors Roster Charitable Solicitation License (CSL), Exemption Certificate, or Exemption by Statute Patriot Act Compliance Anti-Terrorism Compliance Measures (see below) Completed Fiscal sponsorship agreement (if applicable) ANTI-TERRORISM COMPLIANCE MEASURES In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other counterterrorism laws, the United Way of Central Carolinas requires that each agency certify the following: I hereby certify on behalf of Insert Applicant or Fiscal Sponsor Name that all United Way funds and donations will be used in compliance with all applicable anti-terrorist financing and asset control laws, statutes and Executive Orders. Print Name: Title: Signature: Date: