Utah Area Humanitarian Operations Grant

Utah Area Humanitarian Operations Grant is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Utah Area Humanitarian Operations). Regional philanthropic funding targeting vulnerable populations across Utah.

Utah Area Humanitarian Donations | Relieve Suffering & Strengthen Self-Reliance Utah Area Humanitarian Operations Relieve Suffering – Instill Hope – Build Self-Reliance Please note: Before submitting a project proposal, we encourage you to thoroughly read and internalize the following guidance to ensure project alignment with Utah Area initiatives and objectives.

Across the Utah Area, many individuals and families are facing significant and growing challenges. We are deeply grateful for the many compassionate community leaders and dedicated organizations working to relieve suffering, instill hope, and build stability and self-reliance.

Starting in 2026, we are elevating and focusing our humanitarian activities by prioritizing a set of targeted initiatives – population-specific initiatives and service gap initiatives. These initiatives are designed to strengthen community support and make the greatest possible difference for those who need it most.

Focus on vulnerable populations Address critical gaps hindering holistic service delivery Strengthen coordination between service providers Prioritize ‘catalytic’ projects that improve self-reliance Promote long-term outcome tracking We will also collaborate with community organizations on a limited number of non-initiative projects.

Tracking of specific outcomes aligned with Utah Area priorities – especially Housing and Food – will be required.

Population-Specific Initiatives Workforce Development for Refugees & Immigrants Need: Growing risk of homelessness and negative family impacts due to high housing prices and a decline in government support Goal: Work with employers, refugee services, and education providers to offer credentialing, job placement, and wrap-around service support without destabilizing income Desired Outcome: Measurable increase in the number of refugees and immigrants earning sustainable living wages and retaining housing Transitional Housing for Domestic Violence Victims and Homeless Youth Need: Severe shortage of service-rich housing that could prevent future homelessness and enable long-term recovery Goal: Support experienced organizations in quickly expanding transitional housing and wraparound services through affordable renovation projects Desired Outcome: Long-term retention of housing, income growth, and improvement in well-being and self-reliance indicators as assessed by case workers Social Worker Workforce Expansion We will collaborate with community organizations to provide scholarships, stipends, and employee retention support for current and prospective social workers to fill growing gaps in high-quality staff who provide wrap-around services and track outcomes.

Pre- and Post-Homeless Community Support We will collaborate with community organizations to establish ongoing follow-up support through case workers or volunteers after diversion or exit from shelter, with a focus on preventing a return to homelessness and long-term outcome tracking.

Case Manager Support for Food Pantries We will collaborate with community organizations to expand case management in high-volume food pantries to create a stronger funnel to needed wrap-around services and to better track progress towards self-reliance. Project Evaluation Criteria Project proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Organizations, or coalitions of organizations, can expect a response to their proposal(s) within 30 days of submission. We deeply appreciate every organization’s commitment to serving individuals and families in need. While we will carefully review each proposal with sincere respect for your efforts, resources are limited and not all applicants will receive the funding or support requested.

Please do not include confidential information unless requested. The Church reserves the right to approve, decline, or modify any proposal at its discretion to ensure alignment with established priorities and the greatest possible community impact.

Project proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria: Ability to track and share outcomes that align with Utah Area initiatives and demonstrate the impact of your efforts, including a demonstrated history of doing so on other humanitarian projects.

Ability to coordinate closely with other community partners to ensure individuals receive holistic, well-connected support, including a demonstrated history of doing so on other humanitarian projects. Project proposals from coalitions of community organizations, including those providing service support to project beneficiaries, are strongly encouraged. Sustainable operational funding secured through sources other than the Church.

The Utah Area will consider participating in a project including donating cash and/or commodities up to about 20% of total project costs. Operational costs are typically not covered by the Utah Area’s humanitarian funding. Willingness to participate in a third-party project and organizational evaluation to help assess donation use and outcomes achieved.

Ability to promote self-reliance, empowering individuals to build sustainable, long-term well-being, including a demonstrated history of doing so on other humanitarian projects. Humanitarian projects in the Utah Area follow a one-year cycle. Implementing organizations have up to 12 months to complete the project, beginning on the date the Church approves the project.

Organizations receiving a humanitarian donation from the Utah Area are expected to help beneficiaries progress towards greater self-reliance. This includes connecting individuals with community resources and monitoring and reporting their progress. Organizations are expected to track and report outcomes and engage with collaborating organizations in an integrated systems/services model for project beneficiaries.

Basic Eligibility Criteria Must be a non-profit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) Must operate within the Utah Area Must have a track record of community service or established outreach programs Will participate in a post-project review conducted by a third-party firm Must serve Utah Area residents Must demonstrate broad community impact and a clear benefit to a defined population Final impact report with outcomes will be required Submit a Project Proposal Here By submitting a proposal through this portal, you acknowledge and agree that: (i) this process is an invitation to submit proposals only and does not obligate The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints to make any award or to reimburse any costs; (ii) proposals must comply with Utah Area instructions, which govern over any third‑party listing or communication; (iii) the Church may amend, suspend, or cancel these requests for project proposals and may accept or reject any proposal in its sole discretion; (iv) any award will be made only after selection and execution of a separate written agreement, with funds provided following contract completion; and (v) proposal information may be reviewed and shared internally and with third‑party evaluators for the purpose of assessing donation use and outcomes.

Please do not include confidential information unless requested. Responding to a request for project proposals is not a guarantee of receiving a humanitarian donation.