Community Investment Process

Community Investment Process is sponsored by Heart of West Michigan United Way. Offers multi-year funding to nonprofits in Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties, focusing on financial security, health, and youth opportunity.

Community Investment Application — Heart of West Michigan United Way More than a grant opportunity; it’s a way to build something great together. Our Community Investment Process is a critical element of how we turn vision into action. Through this competitive, multi-year investment cycle, we invest in local nonprofit partners whose programs align with our vision and mission across Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties.

It’s more than a grant opportunity; it’s a way to build something great together. Only organizations that completed the Pre-Qualification process by September 8, 2025 (10 PM) are eligible to access the 2026–2029 Community Investment application. If your organization did not complete Pre-Qualification by the deadline, you will not be able to access the application in e-CImpact.

United Way’s Kent County Office Pre-qualification due by 10pm Application will be available on e-CImpact to those who completed the pre-qualification by the deadline. Volunteer Review Period Begins Recommendations to the Board Award Letters Sent to Applicants Embargoed Until April 13, 2026 2026 Agreements Published Information sessions are open to any nonprofit organization within the 3 counties (whether current partners or not).

The purpose is to provide detailed information on the 2026-2029 application process including parameters, scorecard, and an introduction to the submission system. Info Session Slide Deck (PDF) Application Outline (PDF) Funding for the 2026-2029 Community Investment Process will be concentrated in three of our impact areas: 1. Financial Security: Creating stronger financial futures for every generation 2.

Healthy Community: Improving health and wellbeing for all 3. Youth Opportunity: Helping young people realize their full potential Within these areas, we are prioritizing transformative solutions: programs and partnerships that not only address urgent needs but remove barriers and create long-term change. That means better coordination across systems, expanded access, and support that helps families move from crisis to opportunity.

Application Opens 9/8/2025 INFO SESSIONS & PRE-QUALIFICATION FAQS Are agencies required to attend an information session to apply for funding? No, agencies are not required to attend information sessions. My agency is part of the current grant cycle, do we still need to complete the pre-qualification?

Yes, all agencies must complete the pre-qualification process no later than September 8th at 10pm. My agency did not complete the pre-qualification process can we still apply for funding? Agencies that do not complete the pre-qualification process by September 8th at 10pm will not be able to access the application for funding.

If we submit more than one application, do we complete pre-qualification more than once? You will need to complete the overall pre-qualification process once, but please add both programs to your agency’s profile during the process and answer the program questions for both programs. How are applications submitted?

Agencies are required to submit applications using United Way’s free reporting platform, e-CImpact. Will late submissions be accepted? No, applications must be submitted by October 3rd, 2025, by 10PM.

When will agencies be notified if they are receiving funding? Notifications will begin the week of February 23rd, 2026. How many applications are agencies allowed to submit?

Two applications can be submitted per agency. The exception to this is if your agency is serving in the capacity of fiduciary only for another agency and not a partner in the program itself. My organization has programs in different counties.

How many applications can my organization submit? Two applications can be submitted per agency. Can agencies submit different applications for different Impact Areas?

Yes, agencies can submit a total of two applications regardless of Impact Area. What if my organization’s program fits within two different impact areas? We ask that you pick the Impact Area that you feel your program most aligns with.

Can agencies apply for funding to serve residents across multiple counties? Yes, agencies can apply for funding to serve residents across multiple counties (Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa Counties). You will be asked what percentage of clients you serve with this funding reside within each county.

Will collaborative applications be accepted? Yes, collaborative applications will be accepted and are encouraged. An agency/organization will need to be appointed as the fiduciary, to handle all allocation payments.

If my agency is applying as a part of a collaborative, how should the budget be submitted? The lead organization should submit the collaborative’s budget. Is priority given to previously funded agencies?

No, each funding cycle is independent of one another. How will United Way ensure that funding is spread equitably across all three counties? Funds raised in each county will be allocated in that county.

Will there be a rubric for how agency applications are scored? Yes, there will be a scorecard that volunteer reviewers will utilize to review applications. This scorecard will be available to agencies.

Who reviews applications? Volunteer reviewers are recruited across multiple sectors within our region. We do our best to ensure that volunteers have expertise and/or lived experience in United Way’s priority areas, and/or have a passion for building a thriving community for all.

What is the minimum and maximum funding request? Agencies must request a minimum of $10,000 annually per application. There is no required maximum amount.

Is there a maximum amount of funding my agency can apply for? No, there is no maximum amount. Is the old 50% funding restriction still in place?

No, that restriction is no longer in place. What is the average grant award? The 2026-2029 Community Investment Process is the first Heart of West Michigan United Way process with combined Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa County so we do not have historical data on the average grant award.

In the application, what is meant by leveraging funds? This is when the agency uses United Way funds as a community match to access other grant dollars. Ex.

For every UW dollar given the agency will receive two dollars for the grant applied for through another entity. Can faith-based organizations apply for funding? Yes, faith-based organizations can apply for funding as long as they do not proselytize or require clients to adhere to specific beliefs.

How long does an agency have to be in operation to apply for funding? There is no time requirement for how long an agency is in operation. If My Program Is Selected Are agencies required to utilize a specific data management system?

No, agencies can track data with their own internal systems. Are agencies required to utilize a specific system to report data, and is there a cost? Agencies are required to report data using United Way’s free reporting platform, e-CImpact.

What are funded agencies required to track annually? Agencies will be asked to track outcome data in their funded priority area, demographics, success stories, activities/outputs, and budget information. Agencies will be required to report this information twice a year.

How often are funded agencies required to report data? Agencies will be required to report data twice a year during the three-year cycle, including a mid-year report in January, and a year-end report in July. Other than tracking data, what is required of a United Way funded agency?

Funded agencies will be required to sign an agency agreement prior to receiving funding. A portion of this agreement is listed below: · 2-1-1: Maintain updated agency program and contact information with 2-1-1. · Volunteer Center: Link or post agency volunteer needs on the Volunteer Center’s hub.

· Campaign: Financially support the campaign for United Way through an employee contribution campaign and/or an organizational donation. · Reporting: You agree to track client outcomes during the funding years 2026-2029 and report on them twice a year in accordance with established United Way timelines. Will agencies receive the same funding amount each year of the grant cycle?

Annual funding during the three-year cycle will be dependent upon subsequent United Way fundraising results and Partner Agency submission of timely mid-year and annual outcomes reports each year. How is funding dispersed to agencies? Funds are dispersed to agencies monthly.

Contact our Community Impact staff with questions.