Youth Opportunity (ALICE Promise Investments)

Youth Opportunity (ALICE Promise Investments) is sponsored by United Way of Northeast Florida. United Way of Northeast Florida is seeking organizations to advance goals in their Youth Opportunity impact area, which is part of their ALICE Promise to address root causes of financial instability.

Community Partners – United Way Northeast Florida Need help? Dial 2-1-1 to contact a United Way call center specialist or click here to find resources. Change Through Collaboration and Innovation Community partnership through grantmaking is one of the ways United Way of Northeast Florida works to create lasting change in our community.

Alongside our direct services, collaborative initiatives and convening work, we partner with local organizations whose programs align with our strategic priorities — because we know that driving real impact requires the right partners working alongside us. Our grants are more than financial support; they are an investment in the organizations building a stronger community.

On this page, you will learn about our strategic focuses, our grant opportunities and what opportunities are open. After reviewing the information below, we welcome you to reach out to [email protected] with any questions. By 2030, we promise to develop and invest in community-driven solutions that address root causes of financial instability for all families living below the ALICE threshold.

Through this work, we will increase upward mobility, access to essential services and community well-being for all. To fulfill this promise, we’re focusing our efforts on three key impact areas: United Way is currently seeking organizations interested in ALICE Promise Investments to advance goals in two of our three impact areas: Youth Opportunity and Healthy Community.

The inquiry form for organizations not currently funded by United Way is open until Wednesday, June 17, at 11:59 p. m. Currently funded organizations will also be considered.

Please review the grant information and submit your inquiry form at the links below. Need more information or have any questions? Contact United Way’s grants team at unitedwaygrants@ null uwnefl.

org. Frequently Asked Questions Will our organization still be eligible for funding? Organizations who believe they can help advance United Way’s goals in a specific impact area are welcome to participate in the grants process.

Organizations new to United Way’s grants process or organizations not funded in the most recent grant cycle will need to submit an inquiry form for this upcoming cycle. What are the exact eligibility requirements? The organization serves within Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and/or northern St.

Johns Counties. Nonprofit organizations: The organization is a nonprofit entity recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is registered with and in good standing with the State of Florida, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, or other governing body that provides oversight.

Public agencies and higher education institutions: including universities, community colleges, and private and for‑profit organizations. The agency clearly aligns with United Way’s mission, strategy, goals, and the program directly addresses community needs identified under investment objectives. The organization presents no financial risk for investment.

The agency can submit required financial statements and documents for the most recently completed year as part of the qualification process. How do we apply under the new process? Click on the button above to review the grant requirements and goals.

If you believe your program aligns, we welcome you to click the “INQUIRY FORM” button above to submit the initial information we need to consider your funding need. Why is the process changing? Our strategy has evolved, and our grantmaking needs to reflect that.

Through our most recent needs assessment and community engagement process, we heard clearly where the gaps are greatest and where coordinated investment can move the needle. This new framework allows us to go deeper — not wider — so that our funding creates lasting, measurable change. How will funding decisions be made?

An objective scoring rubric guides the consistent review of new grant partners, ensuring transparency and alignment with United Way’s priority outcomes. This scoring rubric is used by our staff and expert community volunteers in the review process.

Serving as stewards of donor resources, United Way’s volunteer Accounting Committee evaluates organizational finances and proposed budgets to ensure investments are safe, sustainable and aligned with strong financial practices, with organizations demonstrating financial instability deemed ineligible for investment. Will grant amounts or cycles change?

United Way’s grant dollar pool is subject to change from cycle to cycle due to nimbleness required to respond to community needs. Budget considerations and available investment dollars is also considered. What capacity do we need to comply?

I.e. reporting requirements, data systems, outcome metrics, staff size, budget size, etc. All requirements for reporting, data systems, outcomes, staff and budget size, etc. are shared in the information document linked above. Is there support (training, technical assistance) to help organizations in the first few months of funding?

While there are no formal trainings or workshops required or scheduled, we are available for one-on-one support meetings by request. Please email [email protected] to book your appointment. As a donor, will my designated gift still go where I intended?

Yes. Any designated dollars from a donor will continue to be allocated to their intended organization or impact area. How does this align with community priorities?

Nearly 40% of households in Northeast Florida struggle to make ends meet, which includes households living in poverty or households known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

In response to the growing financial instability facing ALICE and poverty households, United Way of Northeast Florida launched the ALICE Promise 2030, a five-year, data-driven strategy designed to address the root causes of economic hardship and expand pathways to long-term stability.

Grounded in the 2025 ALICE Report, the strategy commits United Way to investing in community‑driven solutions that increase access to essential services, improve upward mobility, and strengthen household resilience across Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. Who decided this change in grantmaking, and was the community involved?

Dozens of community stakeholders at all levels — government, nonprofit, corporate, grassroots leaders, donors, volunteers, and members of ALICE and poverty households — participated in the development of United Way’s Strategy 2030. This served as the guiding framework for developing our investment model. Additionally, the investment model was reviewed and approved by United Way’s Community Investment Council and board of directors.

Basic needs and financial well-being grants $5 million in grants were awarded to fund programs addressing basic needs and financial well-being. 501(c)(3) organizations in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and northern St. Johns counties received funding through this 18-month grant cycle to support families living below the ALICE threshold.

Read the full list of grantees Youth enrichment microgrant With support from Miller Electric Company , a Community Needs Assessment was conducted with 904WARD and the University of North Florida .

The needs in Northeast Florida were assessed, and in response, the Youth Enrichment Microgrant was created to help address disparities through partnerships with community groups, nonprofits and local organizations that are traditionally left out of grant processes. Check out our blog for more information on grant opportunities and grantees.