Community Impact Grant

United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties administers a community grant program that targets the most pressing human service needs in its region. This initiative is guided by a commitment to measurable impact and strategic alignment with clearly defined Focus Areas and Strategies for Community Impact. The program aims to empower individuals and families across all age groups to lead healthy, independent, and economically secure lives through targeted investments in nonprofit programs operating within Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in New York. The program is structured around four primary focus areas. Health & Wellness supports programs fostering secure, independent, and healthy living. Education, Early Childhood & Youth Supports aims to provide children and youth with the tools, environments, and relationships they need to thrive. Income, Self-Sufficiency & Family Well-Being addresses economic stability and resilience, while Critical Needs covers emergency services and disaster relief. Grant seekers must clearly identify which focus area and specific strategy their application supports. Applicants are expected to align their proposals with United Way’s community impact strategies, which include achieving cost-effective results, maintaining fiscal responsibility, fostering collaborations and partnerships, addressing root causes of systemic issues, and leveraging additional community resources. United Way prioritizes programs that deliver measurable outcomes and show a demonstrated track record of effective service delivery. The grant is available only to nonprofit organizations providing human services within Cattaraugus or Allegany County. Programs operating in both counties must submit separate applications for each. A prerequisite for application is having an updated 211 listing relevant to the service area. This ensures that funded programs are accessible and properly catalogued for public reference. Applications for the 2026 grant cycle will open on March 2, 2026, and are due by noon on April 3, 2026. All submissions must be completed through the online portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The selection process evaluates prior accomplishments, outcome projections, and completeness and clarity of the submitted application materials. Applicants seeking assistance during the application process can contact United Way via email at [email protected] or by phone at (716) 372-3620. Funding decisions will be made based on alignment with United Way's strategic goals and the applicant's demonstrated capacity to address critical community needs. This program is offered annually.

Use detailed data to support application responses; incomplete applications may not be considered.