United Way of 1000 Lakes is encouraging local nonprofits to apply to its 2025 Community Impact Grants cycle.

United Way’s Community Impact Fund supports local nonprofits serving the needs of the vulnerable, marginalized, and/or ALICE (those employed but living paycheck-to-paycheck) populations in greater Itasca County. Successful applicants will initially receive grants of $2,500 to $15,000.

As in previous cycles, preference will be given to programs that align with United Way’s impact strategies, which takes a two-generation approach to building opportunity and upward mobility for the entire family unit. Applications should target one of United Way’s core focus areas:

• Ready Kids, Resilient Families: Children and families are supported throughout the entire educational process, including quality early education and afterschool experiences, as well as fostering positive parenting skills and nurturing a home environment.
• Family Financial Stability: Families overcome barriers to opportunity, develop economic mobility, and build generational resilience, including employment training and skill building, and providing services such as financial coaching and money management.
• Healthy Minds & Bodies: Increase the opportunities for healthy lifestyle choices and promote overall health and wellbeing, including access to primary health care services, as well as fostering social connectedness and healthy lifestyle choices.

Requests will be evaluated by a volunteer panel for compatibility with  2022-2027 Community Impact Framework, how well the organization aligns with United Way’s goals,  and delivers measurable results with sound fiscal and management practices.

Awards will be distributed quarterly from January 1-December 31, 2025

View the Grant Resource Toolkit, including application questions, to learn more, and sign up for the Grant Information Session on September 12th at uwlakes.org/grants. Organizations and programs, including current grantees, interested in applying or continuing funding should submit an Initial Proposal by 4 p.m. on September 19, 2024.