Competitive Grant Opportunities
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT GRANTS
United Way of Northwest Louisiana accepts grant applications annually. We award grants of varying sizes based on community needs, United Way focus areas, and the availability of funds. Nonprofits within our ten parish region are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
Previous grant recipients: New grant applications will not be considered from organizations that are past due in submitting their year end report for the previous grant cycle to United Way.
Geographic areas: United Way awards grants to programs serving Caddo, Bossier, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Sabine, Red River, Webster and Winn.
IRS status: All applicants must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. An organization must have received its 501(c)(3) ruling letter from the IRS prior to applying for funding.
Program areas: The organization or proposed program must align with one of the following United Way priority areas: Health, Education, Financial Stability, Essential Needs Funding priorities are made available during the grant training.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy: It is the policy of United Way of Northwest Louisiana to support organizations, projects, and programs that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other legally protected characteristics. Each organization is required to submit its DEI or nondiscrimination policy.
Form 990: All applicants must be in good standing with the IRS regarding their Form 990 filing requirements. A copy of the organization’s most recent Form 990 must be submitted as part of the grant application.
Audit: (requirements vary based on annual revenue amounts)
| Up to $200,000 | Latest Financial Records |
| $200,000 to $500,000 | Financial Compilation |
| $500,000 to $1 Million | Financial Review |
| Over $1 Million | Independent Audit |
Timeline for 2022-2023 Cycle
2021
November 1: Application Opens
December 15: Application Closes
2022
April 15: Nonprofit Organizations Notified Of Funding Decisions
June 1: Funds for 2022-2023 Grant Cycle Become Available
LEAD UNITED: GRANT INFORMATION SESSION
November 18: Grant Informational Session at 9 am.
This session is optional, but highly recommended for first time applicants.
Additional Information
Staff, Volunteers and Board Review: The staff, community volunteers, and Board of Directors at United Way will review every application thoroughly. You may be contacted if a virtual site visit, meeting, or phone conference is needed to discuss the application in more detail. The Board of Directors makes all final grant funding recommendations.
Revision or Change of Scope: It is the applicant’s duty to advise United Way should circumstances arise which would change or affect any aspect of the grant proposal.
Notification: Applicants will receive an email notification of the Board’s funding decision in April 2022. Grant awards will be announced to the public.
Funds Available: Funds will be available for the 2022-2023 grant cycle, as soon as June 1, 2022 . Funds are typically disbursed two to four weeks prior to the project start date.
Evaluation Requirements: All grantees are required to submit a year end report through their agency portal on the e-CImpact Agency Site within 30 days of the program end date.