Community Impact Grants
The Community Impact Grants Process of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is an open, transparent, and competitive process that allows eligible programs to apply for funding. The objective is to identify the programs that can best contribute to achieving the United 2020 ten-year goals for Education, Income and Health.
See a list of the 2011-2012 community investments.
Note: Organizations interested in applying should read how to apply for United Way grants.
Grant Process
To be eligible, a program must:
- Concentrate its efforts and services within the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas service area (Dallas, Collin, Southern Denton and Rockwall counties);
- Align with at least one of the United 2020 Goals, Strategies and Community Metrics or fall under the Basic Needs category;
- Meet financial criteria including: a complete annual audit, an annual tax return (990/990EZ), an active Board of Directors, and an IRS determination letter verifying non-profit status.
Each applicant is initially reviewed against key financial standards. Afterwards, programs are evaluated for their alignment with the strategies and goals for Education, Income and Health; ability to show measurable results; and the resources it takes to obtain those results. This assessment uses a consistent and standardized tool and includes reviews of written proposals and site visits of applicants.
Throughout the review process, Best Investment Criteria are used to determine strength of the program investment based on:
- Suitability for the strategy it addresses;
- Measurable results of how effectively it meets that need - outcomes;
- Resources it takes to obtain those results.
Grants process frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Community Impact Councils & Strategy Panels
The Community Impact Councils and Strategy Panels — comprised of corporate donors, community volunteers, as well as members of philanthropic and community organizations — help ensure that (a) evaluations and funding recommendations are aligned with the strategies, metrics and goals, and (b) the process is open, fair, transparent and equitable.