Our Grants

2011-2013 COMMUNITY IMPACT
COMPETITIVE GRANT PROCESS

OCUW’s 2011–2013 multi-year Community Impact Competitive Grant process was designed to fairly and effectively identify and support leading community programs aligned within our education, income and health strategies.  Eligible applicants were reviewed and scored by panels of industry expert community volunteers, with further review and consideration by OCUW’s Impact Councils, Community Investment Cabinet, and Board of Directors. After rigorous review, OCUW made a commitment to grant more than $4.5 million annually, for three years, to support 95 leading service programs, reaching more than 150,000 unduplicated clients annually. 

Please note that OCUW’s Community Impact Competitive Grant process is currently closed, with agencies selected for funding from January 2011 through December 2013. Information regarding 2014 Grant Funding will be made available to the public in summer 2013. To sign up for grant updates, please click here.

2011–2013 Partner Agencies:
LIST BY ALPHA ORDER
LISTING BY SECTOR

AGENCY ELIGIBILITY
In addition to meeting one or more of OCUW’s GRANTING STRATEGIES (listed below), eligible agencies must meet and maintain OCUW’s 25 STANDARDS OF ACCOUNTABILITY, ensuring the highest standards of nonprofit leadership, client service, agency governance, and fiscal management. 

OCUW COMPETITIVE GRANTING STRATEGIES
All applications for funding must meet one or more of the following grant strategy priorities and must provide direct services (not referral based) to low-income populations within Orange County.

EDUCATION STRATEGIES
For ages 0-5, Early Child Education: Programs that directly enhance the cognitive and social development of at-risk children and ensure their successful transition into kindergarten.
For grades K -12, Youth Education: Programs that directly improve the academic success of at-risk kindergarten through 12th grade students. Successful programs must include one or more of the following strategies: improve grade appropriate reading and/or mathematics and/or science skills; align with A-G requirements; work in coordination with local schools; and/or increase parent engagement in their children’s academic success.

INCOME/FINANCIAL STABILITY STRATEGIES
Financial Literacy: Programs that directly increase the financial literacy of low-income families and individuals and encourage asset building/retention through financial education and linkages to mainstream financial resources and services.
Workforce Development: Programs that directly increase or provide employment opportunities for low-income individuals through job skill development, placement, and/or employment retention services.

HEALTH/BASIC NEEDS STRATEGIES
Food: Programs that supply and/or distribute food items to vulnerable populations and link clients to additional social services and/or work supports. Programs may include food banks, community food distribution sites, food pantries, and food delivery programs.
Shelter: Programs that provide emergency shelter and/or transitional housing and directly link clients to additional social and/or work support services.
Medical Care: Programs that provide free or low-cost direct medical and/or behavioral health care services such as primary or urgent health care, health care screenings, dental care, and/or mental health services to no- or low-income individuals. Referral and health education programs will not be considered. 

APPLICATION PROCESS
BIDDERS CONFERENCE
CURRENTLY CLOSED. Click here for a copy of the 2011 Application Guidelines made available to Orange County’s nonprofit community.

ON-LINE APPLICATION
CURRENTLY CLOSED. Applications for funding are completed online through Community TechKnowledge (CTK).  Applications require client demographics, agency history, program details, intended outcomes, measurement tools, and  detailed financial information including projected revenue and agency-audited financials.

APPLICATION REVIEW
CURRENTLY CLOSED. All applications were assigned, reviewed, and scored by a minimum of five qualified volunteers during the review process. Volunteers consisted of community leaders and experts from the academic, philanthropic, corporate, funding, and nonprofit sectors as well as OCUW Community Investment staff and members of OCUW’s Community Impact Councils, Community Investment Cabinet, and Board.  Volunteers were assigned to applications based on volunteer knowledge of applicant’s sector and to avoid all conflicts of interest.

Agency-audited financials were separately reviewed and scored by OCUW’s Financial Review Committee consisting of CPAs. Agencies were screened for compliance with current IRS 501(c)(3) standards, OCUW’s 25 Standards of Accountability, and good standing with all OCUW reporting requirements (if currently funded by OCUW). Previously or currently OCUW funded agencies did not receive preferential scoring or consideration.

OCUW’s Community Impact Councils determined the funding recommendation based on application scoring, with final funding decisions approved by the Community Investment Cabinet and Orange County United Way's Board of Directors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OCUW COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, CONTACT:
Education: Sergio Contreras at sergioc@unitedwayoc.org  
Income: David Gillanders, Jr. at davidg@unitedwayoc.org
Health/Basic Needs: Brenyale Toomer-Byas at brenyalet@unitedwayoc.org

GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED
Orange County United Way’s competitive grant cycle is currently closed. Please look for information about the 2014 Grant Application Process during the summer of 2013.