Community Impact Grants | United Way of Southwest Minnesota

The Community Impact Grant application for 2024-25 funding is NOW OPEN.

For a full list of current program investments, CLICK HERE.

Statement of Purpose:

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota invests donations back into our communities primarily through the Community Impact Grants. In southwest Minnesota, we focus on improving health, education, financial stability, reducing hunger, and ensuring the safety & well-being of every person in every community. Programs that receive funding are carefully selected for their significant impact on the lives of local people in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine, and portions of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles, and Redwood counties in Minnesota.

Our community volunteer panels work diligently to score submitted grant proposals, conduct interviews of applicants, review program goals and anticipated results, and then make recommendations to the United Way of Southwest Minnesota Board of Directors for final approval.

To be eligible for a Community Impact Grant, your program must meet specific guidelines, eligibility requirements, and operating guidelines. Make sure to thoroughly review this information before applying, as incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

UWSWMN grant workshops for 2024-25 funding are available now on the below dates. First-time applicants must attend the workshops to be eligible for grant submission. Pre-register at unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org. The workshops will be held at 800 E Main Street, Marshall, MN.

The grant workshops will cover the following:

Eligibility Criteria
Application Guidelines
Review process
Partnership Agreement
Q&A

Spring 2024 Grant Workshop Dates Are:

Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 9:30am - 10:30am

Friday, March 22, 2024, at 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Pre-register at: unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org

SAMPLE FORMAT FOR UPLOADS:

Funding will generally not be awarded for:

Marketing efforts
Event or fundraising promotions
Capital campaigns or expenditures (i.e. land, building, real estate, vehicles, equipment, building upkeep or repair)
Funding for organizations that intend to distribute funds at their own discretion
Debt reduction or program shortfall from earlier years
Endowment funding
Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
Activities that support a specific religious purpose
Professional development or training
Programs that operate in a discriminatory manner
Program work outside the UWSWMN service area
Programs not demonstrating a strong local need
Direct individual support
Volunteer recruitment and recognition
Staff positions at schools

Additionally, UWSWMN funding will typically not be awarded if UWSWMN is the sole funding source for a program.

Login instructions

Watch a short instructional video on creating an account and saving drafts.

All applicants are required to have or create an account to complete and submit your application. Keep your user name and password handy so that you can "save a draft" and return to complete your submission. 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 - Recommend using your Agency Name as your User Name - watch for an email to set your password, check spam)
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.

Be sure to click "SAVE DRAFT" frequently, you will be able to return and work on the application as time permits. Be sure to click "SUBMIT" when completed, you will not be able to access completed submission, but you will be sent a copy of your submission.

Applications are due by Friday, April 5, 2024 at 4 pm.