APPLICATION PROCESS
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.
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AUGUST 6, 2025
Informational Session
2:00 p.m.
United Way’s Kent County Office -
AUGUST 12, 2025
Informational Session
10:00 a.m.
Virtual (Zoom) -
AUGUST 14, 2025
Informational Session
2:00 P.m.
Virtual (Zoom) -
AUGUST 20, 2025
Informational Session
10:00 a.m.
Herrick District Library
(Ottawa County) -
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
Application Release Date
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OCTOBER 3, 2025
Applications Due
10:00 p.m. -
OCTOBER 30, 2025
Volunteer Review Period Begins
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January 27, 2026
Recommendations to the Board
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MARCH 2, 2026
Award Letters Sent to Applicants
Embargoed Until April 13, 2026 -
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.
Information Resources
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
INFO SESSIONS & PRE-QUALIFICATION FAQS
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No, agencies are not required to attend information sessions.
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Yes, all agencies must complete the pre-qualification process no later than September 8th at 10pm.
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Agencies that do not complete the pre-qualification process by September 8th at 10pm will not be able to access the application for funding.
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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.
APPLICATION PROCESS FAQS
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Agencies are required to submit applications using United Way’s free reporting platform, e-CImpact.
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No, applications must be submitted by October 3rd, 2025, by 10PM.
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Notifications will begin the week of February 23rd, 2026.
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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.
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Two applications can be submitted per agency.
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Yes, agencies can submit a total of two applications regardless of Impact Area.
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We ask that you pick the Impact Area that you feel your program most aligns with.
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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.
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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.
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The lead organization should submit the collaborative’s budget.
FUNDING & REVIEW FAQS
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No, each funding cycle is independent of one another.
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Funds raised in each county will be allocated in that county.
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Yes, there will be a scorecard that volunteer reviewers will utilize to review applications. This scorecard will be available to agencies.
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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.
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Agencies must request a minimum of $10,000 annually per application. There is no required maximum amount.
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No, there is no maximum amount.
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No, that restriction is no longer in place.
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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.
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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.
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Yes, faith-based organizations can apply for funding as long as they do not proselytize or require clients to adhere to specific beliefs.
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There is no time requirement for how long an agency is in operation.
If My Program Is Selected
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No, agencies can track data with their own internal systems.
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Agencies are required to report data using United Way’s free reporting platform, e-CImpact.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Funds are dispersed to agencies monthly.
QUESTIONS?
Contact our Community Impact staff with questions.