2025-2026 UWBFC Community Grants

United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting the well-being, safety, and academic achievement of children from birth through middle school. This local United Way chapter is focused on a community-driven mission to foster improved outcomes for children and families in Benton and Franklin Counties, Washington. Their work is guided by two core goals: ensuring that at least 50% of local children enter kindergarten with the foundational skills required for success, and supporting 80% of local 8th graders in achieving a school attendance rate of at least 90%. The grant opportunity currently open from United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties invites Letters of Interest (LOIs) for projects that support children (from birth to middle school) and their families in the areas of Kindergarten Preparedness, Student Success, and Basic Needs. Programs may address early literacy, numeracy, enrichment, mental and behavioral health, homelessness support, and basic needs such as food and hygiene. The funding is designed to support nonprofit agencies with modest budgets in expanding direct services for children and their caregivers in the eligible counties. Eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits or their faith-based equivalents, registered with the Washington Secretary of State if applicable, and operating with gross revenue at or below $1.5 million. They must also have an active board of directors that meets quarterly and approves financial statements. All applicants must serve children and caregivers in Benton and/or Franklin Counties. Each organization may submit only one program for consideration, and United Way funding cannot be the sole source of funding for that program. Grants will provide $10,000 to $15,000 annually per program for a two-year period, beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2027. Funding for the second year may vary based on availability. Letters of Interest must be submitted online by 5:00 pm on July 15, 2025. Selected applicants will be notified by July 31, and invited to submit full proposals by August 17. Final decisions will be announced by September 26, and grant agreements will accompany the notification. The LOI evaluation process includes a scoring system: 30% for community need, 40% for program design, and 30% for organizational expertise. A review team, comprising experts in each funding area and individuals with lived experience, will recommend which LOIs move forward. Applicants should submit a concise and complete LOI aligned with these criteria to improve their chances of success. Optional informational meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams on June 26 at 9:00 am and June 30 at 3:00 pm. Interested organizations can register for these meetings online. For questions, United Way staff can be reached by email at grants@uwbfco.org or by phone at 509-581-3937 during business hours.

Submit a concise and complete LOI to increase funding chances. Attendance at optional info sessions is recommended for guidance.