Community Impact Grant

Requirements to Become a Funded Partner

United Way GBACC remains a leader in tackling complex issues in our community, bringing together community partners to help solve them. We provide resources and funding to nonprofits whose strategies align with ours and invite nonprofit organizations that are outstanding in our funding areas to consider applying for grants through our funding opportunities. We place special emphasis on local programs and initiatives that are within our three focus areas of basic needs, education, and health.

In order to apply, applicant agencies must:

  1. Be a non-profit, 501(c)3 (federally tax-exempt) organization (i.e. non-profit organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions)
  2. All recipient of services must be residents of either Greater Baytown or Chambers County and fall in one of the following service area zip codes :77520, 77521, 77522, 77562, 77514, 77560, 77580, 77661, 77665, 77523, 77597
  3. Programs must provide human services, and must align with the strategic funding targets of the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County.
  4. The program must be implemented between July 2025 and June 2026.
  5. Applicant must be able to provide current, clean financial documentation, appropriate to the agency by size. All financial documents must be prepared by a certified CPA.

Applicant agencies are encouraged to review the funding objectives and reporting structures below before applying for funding through United Way of Greater Baytown and Chambers County. Funding for programs through the Community Impact Grant is competitive, and based on information submitted. All proposals are reviewed and approved by community volunteers and donors, and the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County Board of Directors.

Each Community Impact grant is one year, starting July 2025 through June 2026.

All applicants are required to attend a Grant Cycle Orientation before gaining access to the application database. 

2025 - 2026 Grant Cycle

The 2025 -2026 Grant Cycle application will open on November 1st, 2024. 

The application review process is managed by the United Way team but conducted by community volunteers and donors. All decisions regarding application status and funding awards are final and will not be subject to review after the decision is made final by the Board of Directors.

Applicants must adhere to the following deadlines. Late submissions will not be reviewed or considered. All applicants are highly encouraged to attend the grant orientation prior to completing the application.

Grant Cycle Orientation

Friday, October 18, 2024 at noon

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at noon

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 9:00am

Finance Review and Letter of Intent Window

November 1 – November 30, 2024

Grant applications Opens

January 13th, 2025

Grant application closes

February 14th, 2025 at 12:00pm

 

Finance Review

All agencies with intent to apply for funding must submit financial documentation for review no matter which funding area is being applied to. Acceptable documents are listed in the table below with qualifications for each document.

Document:

Notes

Financial Audit

$500,000 cash revenue or higher

Financial Review

Between $50,000 to $499,999 cash revenue.

Financial Compilation

Under $50,000 cash revenue

Tax Form 990

  ☐     990 N (Less than $50,000)

  ☐     990 – EZ (total assets less than $500,000)

  ☐     990 (total assets greater than $500,000)

  ☐     990-PF (Private foundation)

990 Extension Confirmation

Only needed if current year 990 is not complete.

Operational Budget

Planned budget for the organization as a whole

Program Budget

Planned budget for the program United Way dollars would be applied.

Finance Review Criteria:

Applicants will be reviewed on the following:

  1. Ability to provide up to date, clean audit or review documentation with a matching 990 tax form
  2. Demonstrate organizational fiscal responsibility
  3. Provide an organizational budget for the grant year funds will be spend in
  4. Provide a program budget with all program funding sources, demonstrating program sustainability.

Letter of Intent

All programs must submit a Letter of Intent for the FY26 Community Impact Grant due to changes in the funding categories.

All program proposals are reviewed by Community Impact volunteers. LOI’s that do not meet the outlined requirements will not be considered nor invited to apply for funding.

Letter of Intent should:

  1. Be written on organizational letterhead
  2. Be no longer than two pages, typed, 12-point font, single spaced.
  3. Include narrative information regarding the program, community need for the program, indication of requested amount of funds, and the best contact information for the grant writer or manager.

Application

Applicants that pass both the Finance Review and Letter of Intent approval will be invited to apply for funding through the Grant Application. All application documents are housed through the e-Cimpact portal.

Applications will include, but are not limited to, a full program logic model, program budget, target numbers for participants and services provided.

Late applications will not be accepted. All applications are reviewed by the Community Impact Grant review teams. Applicants will be invited to a virtual orientation prior to the opening of the grant cycle to review requirements, changes, and address any questions.

For information about the upcoming grant cycle and the application timeline, please contact Diana Molina, Community Impact and Investments Coordinator

Funding Areas and Terms

The Community Impact grant focuses funding programs providing solutions in four areas – Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. Programs aligned with each funding area should be targeting specific audiences within the community to provide quality care, while lifting the quality of life in Baytown and Chambers County.

Community Resiliency

Objective: Residents in our community deserve the opportunity to prosper.

Focus: We build resilient communities by addressing short-term need such as food, shelter, and clothing, while also focusing on relief efforts that contribute to a more secure and sustainable future.

Targets: Fund local programs that work directly with individuals and families who need:

1. access to temporary and stable housing support

2.  access to disaster relief and recovery services

3.  access to domestic violence support services

4.  distribution of essential items such as clothing and hygiene support

5.  access to emergency food assistance

Reporting: The Basic Needs grant is an output focused grant with unique reporting as compared to other funding areas. Reporting will be limited due to the emergency, need based nature of the services provided. Reports include, but not limited to:

  1. Number of services delivered through the program
  2. Number of services delivered through the program
  3. Number of unduplicated individuals impacted by zip code
  4. Budget expenses
  5. At least one impact story from the quarter

Funding

Grant funding is competitive, and not guaranteed. 

United Way dollars are considered unrestricted*; however, expense reporting must be submitted during all quarterly reports of the grant cycle to demonstrate how United Way dollars are being used, all grant awarded dollars must be spent in the grant window. Unused funds must be returned to United Way at the end of the grant year.

*Dollars awarded through the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County must be used within the scope of the program cost, but are available to cover administrative cost.

Youth Opportunity

Objective: Young residents of our community deserve the opportunity to thrive.

Focus: We empower youth and young adults to reach their potential by removing barriers to educational success and providing support systems for personal growth.

Targets: Provide funding to local programs that:

  1. childcare and early childhood education
  2. in school, afterschool, and summer learning
  3. college and career readiness
  4. childcare education and family engagement      

Reporting: Funded partners with Education grants are expected to report quarterly. Reports will include, but are not limited to:

  1. unduplicated number of individuals served by zip code
  2. total services provided by quarter
  3. benchmark indicators for program effectiveness
  4. budget expense reporting
  5. at least one unique impact story from the quarter

Funding

Grant funding is competitive, and not guaranteed. 

United Way dollars are considered unrestricted*; however, expense reporting must be submitted during all quarterly reports of the grant cycle to demonstrate how United Way dollars are being used, all grant awarded dollars must be spent in the grant window. Unused funds must be returned to United Way at the end of the grant year.

*Dollars awarded through the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County must be used within the scope of the program cost, but are available to cover administrative cost.

Financial Security         

Objective: Residents of our community deserve the opportunity to earn a living that can sustain a family and build security for future generations.

Focus: We support hardworking families by offering education, financial tools, and job training to help them build a sustainable and secure future.

Targets: Provide funding to local programs that provide:

  1. adult education, job training, and career pathways
  2. financial education and coaching including budgeting, taxes, and insurance navigation
  3. homelessness prevention, affordable housing, and homeownership
  4. public benefits access such as SNAP, WIC, formula, and Community Navigation

Reporting: Funded partners with Financial Stability grants are expected to report quarterly. Reports will include, but are not limited to:

  1. Unduplicated number of individuals served by zip code
  2. Total services provided by quarter
  3. Benchmark indicators for program effectiveness
  4. Budget expense reporting
  5. At least one unique impact story from the quarter

Funding

Grant funding is competitive, and not guaranteed. 

United Way dollars are considered unrestricted*; however, expense reporting must be submitted during all quarterly reports of the grant cycle to demonstrate how United Way dollars are being used, all grant awarded dollars must be spent in the grant window. Unused funds must be returned to United Way at the end of the grant year.

*Dollars awarded through the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County must be used within the scope of the program cost, but are available to cover administrative cost.

Healthy Community

Objective: Residents in our community deserve the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

Focus: We help people overcome health barriers by enhancing access to nutritious food, quality health education, and essential preventive care services, including mental health support.

Targets: Provide funding for local programs that provide:

  1. access to primary and specialty health care
  2. access to insurance and system navigation
  3. access to medical, visual, and audio prescription
  4. nutrition education services
  5. mental health support
  6. substance misuse recovery and prevention

Reporting: Funded partners with Health grants are expected to report quarterly. Reports will include, but are not limited to:

  1. Unduplicated number of individuals served by zip code
  2. Total services provided by quarter
  3. Benchmark indicators for program effectiveness
  4. Budget expense reporting
  5. At least one unique impact story from the quarter

Funding

Grant funding is competitive, and not guaranteed. 

United Way dollars are considered unrestricted*; however, expense reporting must be submitted during all quarterly reports of the grant cycle to demonstrate how United Way dollars are being used, all grant awarded dollars must be spent in the grant window. Unused funds must be returned to United Way at the end of the grant year.

*Dollars awarded through the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County must be used within the scope of the program cost, but are available to cover administrative cost.