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Community Investments

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Together, we can address our community’s interconnected challenges by supporting impactful organizations across our core focus areas.

Application Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in our 2024-2025 community investments grant cycle! All local nonprofits in Hamilton, Sequatchie, Marion, Walker, Dade, and Catoosa counties are encouraged to apply based on the application guide below. Pre-applications must be submitted by February 9, 2024, and full applications are due March 1, 2024.

How to Apply

Our 2024-2025 grantmaking cycle opens on Monday, January, 22, 2024. Please see below for more information on the application process and the Steps to Success model. 

Sample Applications

View sample applications for our four grant types.

Impact Fund

Investing in collaborative and transformational work to find solutions to systemic issues in our community.

Catalyst Fund - Innovation

Accelerating impact by investing in innovation.

Catalyst Fund - Capacity-Building

Accelerating impact by investing in nonprofit capacity.​

Bridge Fund

Supports programming which provides direct support for those who find themselves in a moment of immediate need. ​

Steps to Success Model

Our funding process is driven by the Steps to Success model, which illustrates 9 key milestones organizations can comprehensively provide from birth to childhood to adulthood and beyond.

 

Partnership Promise

We pledge to commit to a posture of partnership and spirit of collaboration with our community partners. View our full partnership promise.

Contact Us

For additional questions, please email our Community Investments team at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the available funds to apply for within UWGC’s Community Investment Funds?

1. Impact Fund: Investing in local nonprofits through competitive grants for collaborative and transformational work to find solutions to systemic issues in our community. 

2. Catalyst Fund: Accelerating impact by investing in nonprofit capacity and innovative solutions. 

3. Bridge Fund: Direct support programming for those who find themselves in a moment of immediate need.

When will the Requests for Proposals for Community Investment Grants be released?

United Way of Greater Chattanooga will release the 2024-2025 Community Investment RFP & application on January 22nd, 2024.

What are the steps for applying?

There are three application steps:

1. Eligibility Survey 

2. Pre-Application

3. Full Application – Impact,  Catalyst Funds, and/or Bridge Funds

Is my organization eligible to apply for grant funding?

At the most basic level, eligible agencies must be able to provide:

The applicant must meet the IRS standards for nonprofit status 501(c)(3), faith-based organization, or governmental entity.

The organization must be chartered prior to January 1, 2021.

The program must provide services in 1 or more of the 6-county service regions: Hamilton, Marion, Sequatchie Counties in Tennessee or Walker, Dade, Catoosa Counties in Georgia.

Additional requirements will be described in the released Application Guidelines on our website.

Does my organization align with UWGC’s Community Investment Focus Areas?

UWGC prioritizes investing in data-driven efforts that deliver the highest return on investment as measured by education, stability, and health & well-being outcomes within the Steps to Success framework.

How often can my organization apply for grant funding through United Way of Greater Chattanooga?

UWGC follows an annual grant funding cycle. New applications open each January for the following fiscal year: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

How much money was invested in the most recent Community Investment cycle?

United Way of Greater Chattanooga Announces $4.7 million in Community Investments for Most Recent Funding Cycle – read more here. 

How does UWGC’s fundraising and grantmaking work together?

A core part of United Way’s work is fundraising and distributing resources back into the community to create positive change. Read more here. 

If I still have questions, how can I learn more?

If you would like to get in contact with our Community Investment team, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we can set up a time to answer your specific questions.

Current Funded Partners

Our funded partners were selected through a community-led review process. Dedicated volunteers evaluated and identified the local collaborations and approaches that will create a lasting impact. We’re proud to support the following nonprofits through the 2023 – 2024 grant cycle. 

Volunteer to Drive Investment

You play a critical role in our inclusive funding process. Volunteers representing our 6-county region judge, score, and recommend how much money is invested in the organizations and programs we fund. Join us!      

Volunteer Advocate

Using your unique community perspective, provide an impartial and objective review for all applications.

Committee Member

Make final funding recommendations based on reviews and scoring from volunteer advocates.     

More Ways to Get Involved

Give

Your donation stays local to support life-changing efforts in your own backyard.

 

Volunteer

Find opportunities to share your time and talents with those who need it most.

 

Advocate

Share your voice to impact the education, stability and health of our neighbors.