Community Impact Grant Eligibility Requirements

Community Impact Grant Funding is based on the ability to address United Way of Northeast Georgia’s regional focus areas: Basic Needs, Early Childhood Success, and Workforce Development (outlined below). Collaboration is encouraged and all applying organizations must meet the following requirements to be eligible for grant funding.

1. The organization has a Board of Directors that is a voluntary governing body, with regular meetings and is responsible for developing its mission, determining its strategic direction, and providing oversight.

2. Must be located and providing services within United Way of Northeast Georgia’s 12-county service area of Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Greene, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, and Oglethorpe; all grant funds must be used within the 12-county service area.

3. Must be classified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service

• as a private nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption or operate under a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt fiscal sponsor
• coordinating entities and coalitions that hold a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption or operate under a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
• a faith-based organization that holds a separate 501(c)(3) and do not restrict access based on religious affiliation or require participation in religious activities.

4. United Way will not consider proposals from the following types of organizations:

• advocacy or lobbying organizations
• environmental or animal rescue/animal-focused organizations
• educational institutions including public or private schools, colleges and universities
• daycare or pre-K programs that are not Quality Rated by DECAL
• government agencies or departments

5. United Way of Northeast Georgia will not consider proposals for the following types of expenses:

• capital expenses
• endowments
• events or sponsorships

6. Must be located in and have a minimum two-year history serving at least 1 of the 12 counties after the date of receipt of its 501(c)(3) classification.

7. Must have current mission and vision statements, strategic goals and measurable objectives for grant-related programming.

8. Must be able to submit an IRS Form 990 and provide the correct form of financial attestation for the organization’s size. The following financial documents for attestation and corresponding budget sizes are below.

• Budget under $100,000 – Compilation Required
• Budget between $100,000 and $500,000 – Financial Review Required
• Budget $500,000 – Audit Required

Definitions for each of these can be found at this link.

9. The organization has bylaws that state the purpose of the organization and its Board’s governance.

10. Must comply with anti-terrorism laws such as the U.S. Patriot Act.

11. National organizations with local chapters/affiliates or programs: local chapters/affiliates or programs will be asked to demonstrate local control in the application. Funds granted to an organization are to be used for the purposes outlined in the application and should not supplant funds already budgeted for a program.

12. Must offer services in a manner that complies with all federal and state laws and regulations concerning discrimination, and operate by policy and practice without discrimination based on age, race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, disability, cultural heritage or national origin, subject to appropriate limitations based on the organization’s designated scope of services.

13. As a condition of accepting funding, grantees will be expected to provide 6-month and annual outcome reports and quarterly narrative updates.

14. United Way of Northeast Georgia grant requests should not exceed 20% of the applying organization’s program services expenses based on its most recent 990. This can be found in Part IX (9), Page 10, Line 25B of the Form 990. In the case of collaborations, the 20% will be based on the combined total of the collaborators’ program services expenses.

15. The minimum grant amount will be $5,000.