Interim Family Stabilization Grants for FY 2023-24

These grants are meant to provide immediate, short-term food, shelter, and utility assistance in FY 2023-24 (beginning upon approval and ending June 30, 2024). Only Douglas County partners that received a Family Stabilization grant in 2022 are eligible to apply and have been contacted about this opportunity. These proposals will be due by 5:00 pm on Friday, August 18, 2023.

LIMITED FUNDING

Due to organizational transition and an interrupted fundraising cycle, UWKV has a very limited amount to grant out to the community in FY 2023-24. We recognize that this creates hardship for partners who have come to rely on yearly United Way grant funding. We have analyzed the fiscal realities of our own situation and the need in the community and have arrived at an interim solution that allows donor dollars to help the community now while we plan to right-size our grantmaking in the following years.

Our community is still recovering from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. While we still intend to focus on helping our neighbors build their best lives, right now the demand is intense for basic needs like housing, food, rent and utility assistance and healthcare access. This year’s grants will help the partners who provide these critical family supports as they deal with increasing need for services.

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ALL PARTNERS

Partners and other organizations that do not receive grant funding in this interim year will still receive support from UWKV, including:

· Former grant partners will continue to be listed on our designation list, allowing donors to earmark their United Way contribution for a partner. Designated donations are unrestricted and have no reporting requirements.

· Local nonprofits and service groups receive assistance with volunteer recruitment through DouglasCountyVolunteers.org.

· Local nonprofits may be able to access part- or full-time help through an AmeriCorps member placement.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS/FUTURE GRANT PROCESS

In addition, we hope all partners and agencies will join us for community conversations this Fall as we restructure our grant process for RFPs that will be issued in early 2024 for funding that will begin July 1, 2024.

If you have questions or concerns about this process, please contact Vice President of Douglas County Initiatives Kathy Smith.

PREVIOUS OPPORTUNITIES (for reference only)

For more information email: grants@uwkawvalley.org

2022 Family Stabilization Grants (Basic Needs)

OUR GOAL:

Food, housing, and other basic needs are a key part of the equation for ending generational poverty. While systems change and upstream program design to address root causes is central in achieving our goal of ending generational poverty, basic human needs must always be met, and provide the building blocks for family stabilization.

Family Stabilization funds are meant to provide direct assistance to low-income families to stabilize a financial crisis to prevent homelessness, utility shut-offs, the use of pay day lenders, and/or abusive or unsafe environments. Administrative and programming expenses directly related to these funds should be included in the request to ensure proper outreach, navigation, and distribution.

Family Stabilization Funds are invested to increase the success of anti-poverty work through low-barrier access to basic needs like:

Food pantries & food banks
Served hot meals
Mobile food delivery
Transportation for healthy food access
Rent and mortgage assistance
Utilities assistance
Direct client financial supports to secure and stabilize housing
Emergency and safe shelter
Transitional housing
Permanent supported housing
Permanent affordable housing

2022 Anti-Poverty Grants (Basic Needs)

Agencies can apply for both grant opportunities. United Way makes investments in measurable progress toward increasing access and reducing barriers for low-income Douglas County community members, prioritizing people who are low-income, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and others experiencing systemic marginalization and oppression. Because anti-poverty projects are bolstered by basic-needs funding, organizations with adequate capacity and reach can also complete a supplemental request for direct service funds.

Anti-Poverty Mission

At United Way, we are focused on one singular cause: reducing poverty. Poverty determines a child’s access to quality educational experiences, healthcare, nutrition and even life expectancy, trapping generations of families in poverty. In Douglas County, it is the single greatest issue that we face, but together we can break the cycle of poverty.

Investment Strategies

Grant investments will be prioritized for whole-family approaches with an emphasis on BIPOC families with minor children. A successful proposal will acknowledge that a child’s development and an adult caregiver’s needs are interconnected. Successful services must benefit both the child and the adult(s) in their lives. The Aspen Institute offers information and resources to build a multigenerational approach.

The complexity of poverty makes it nearly impossible for any single agency to make significant progress alone. Investments will prioritize projects that embrace the spirit of the Collective Impact framework. This simply means acknowledging the importance of collaboration, dedication to shared goals, reducing duplication, and identifying ways to maximize impact.

GOALS:

Equity: A just, equitable, & inclusive community for residents of all racial & ethnic backgrounds in Douglas County.

Education: All youth in Douglas County have equitable opportunities to achieve their full potential through quality education.

Health: Equitable access to services & resources to foster physical, mental, emotional, & social well-being for everyone in Douglas County

Financial Stability: Equitable access to stability and independence through housing, just wages, & the opportunity to build generational wealth for everyone in Douglas County.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:

Equity: Affordable, equitable & accessible jobs training and placement programs, including mentorship and education for BIPOC entrepreneurs.

Education: Increase access to quality & equitable early education.

Health: Provide coordinated multigenerational supports related to mental health and trauma.

Financial Stability: Decrease the number of Douglas County low-income BIPOC families with children who are spending more than 10% of their income on childcare.