Community Impact Grant Program

Community Impact Grant Program is sponsored by United Way of Washington County, MD. The Community Impact Grant program invests in innovative and effective solutions that improve the lives of working families and strengthen communities in Washington County, MD.

Annual Grant Funding | United Way of Washington County, MD Community Impact & Investments Live United Urgent Needs Grants Emergency Food & Shelter Program Ways to Give Beyond Campaign Live United Annual Awards & Celebration 35th Annual Day of Caring By the United Way Newsletter SingleCare Prescription Discount Community Health Needs Assessment Maryland School Report Card How We Support Community Non-Profit Organizations Community Impact grants are how we invest local dollars to address specific community issues.

Funding decisions are made through an annual competitive grant process. Applications are reviewed, evaluated, and discussed by committees of local community volunteers who then recommend the grant awards to the United Way of Washington County Board of Directors. For FY26 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026), sixteen high-performing nonprofits were awarded one-year grants of up to $20,000.

Grant awards were announced on May 23, 2025. Annual Community Impact Grants Your United Way of Washington County, MD, supports a network of local human service programs that address community needs primarily through collaboration. Funds raised are invested to improve the quality of life in Washington County.

All donations made here stay here! Our Community Impact grants invest in high-performing nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services aligned with our four strategic priority areas: Health, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.

The annual community grant application window will open for qualified non-profits beginning Monday, February 2, 2026, and will close at Noon (12 pm) on Thursday, March 5, 2026. United Way of Washington County welcomes creative and strategic solutions that address the root causes of the complex problems facing our community's residents.

All applicants must attend the Grant Applicant Informational Training session via Zoom on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 10 am. To register or for more information, contact us at UWWCLiveUnited@uwwcmd. org.

Funding Statement: United Way of Washington County, MD strategically advances local community solutions by funding evidence-based programs focused on Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. Your United Way's ability to raise funds in Washington County is essential to our community's success. In doing so, agencies can focus on what they do best-helping our neighbors!

100% of our annual Community Impact funding comes from your gifts and donations. That's why we ensure that all organizations funded through the annual grants are fully vetted and meet the following standards: Grant funding must serve Washington County residents Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Practice non-discrimination Provide a copy of their third-party financial audit and most recent IRS Form 990.

Smaller organizations may provide their Form 990 and a third-party profit/loss statement. Must be in "Good Standing" with the State of MD Department of Assessments & Taxation. Have a "current" registration status with the Office of the Secretary of State Charities Registration.

(per MD Solicitations Act - For more info, click here ) United Way of Washington County works with local non-profits to provide real solutions to community needs. Where there's a community need, there's a United Way. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibility!

United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. Community Resiliency - Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow. Disaster Relief & Recovery Community Resiliency Thought Leadership Financial Security - Creating a stronger financial future for every generation.

Adult Education, Job Training, & Career Pathways Financial Education & Coaching Homelessness Prevention, Affordable Housing, & Homeownership Healthy Community - Improving health and well-being for all.

Healthcare Access (Physical, mental, dental, social services, etc.) Nutrition & Food Security Addressing the Social Determinants of Health (e.g., employment, education, housing) Increasing Access to Safe, Healthy Spaces Youth Opportunity - Helping young people realize their full potential.

Childcare & Early Childhood Education In-school, Afterschool, & Summer Learning College & Career Readiness To qualify, the program or collaborative must: Provide services to Washington County, MD residents. Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing (relevant to all program partners).

Have a "current" registration with the Office of the Secretary of State per the Maryland Solicitations Act, Business Regulation §§ 6-401-6-417, Annotated Code of Maryland. Organization must be in "Good Standing" status with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Submit a third-party financial report from within the last two years.

(Smaller agencies may provide a third-party profit/loss statement) Provide a letter of support from the Board of Directors, signed by the Board Chair. A list of board members and their affiliations must be included with the letter of support. Submit most recent IRS Form 990.

Focus on one of four impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, or Community Resiliency. Maximum grant request of $20,000 per program or collaborative. One application per organization/non-profit.

Applications for FY27 are now closed! The Community Impact Grant application window opened on February 2, 2026, and closed at Noon on March 5, 2026. For FY27, funding will be awarded for the following categories: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.

To ensure equity in grant funding distribution, only one application per organization will be accepted, and the maximum grant award is $20,000. Applicants must have attended or viewed the recording of the Annual Grant Applicant informational session in its entirety before submission of the application. Contact us for training access: UWWCLiveUnited@uwwcmd.

org. A complete submission consists of one hard paper copy (free of staples and paper clips) of all required documents delivered to the United Way office and one electronic submission via the website portal. The deadline for all submissions is Noon (12 pm) on March 5, 2026.

No exceptions will be made. Grant Review Process Timeline FY27 Grant Submission Checklist Website by: OneEach Technologies