Springfield Unity Fund Grant

The United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties administers the Springfield Unity Fund, a community-driven initiative created to provide targeted emergency support to Springfield-based nonprofit organizations serving immigrant communities. This initiative is made possible through the generosity of local donors and is managed under the stewardship of United Way, ensuring accountability and responsible fund allocation through structured oversight. The Unity Fund originated as part of the Springfield Unity Campaign and represents a response to localized needs, particularly those affecting immigrant populations facing crisis circumstances. Eligible applicants for funding include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government entities, or organizations operating under a financial sponsorship agreement with a 501(c)(3). Organizations must submit a formal written application using the designated Springfield Unity Fund application form. The fund allows for requests of up to $7,500 per organization for Phase 1, with potential for additional requests under Phase 2, contingent on fund availability. Requests must include detailed financial rationale. All submitted proposals are reviewed by the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties’ Impact Committee and must be formally approved by the Executive Committee to move forward. Funded organizations are required to recognize United Way’s support in public communications and must utilize the United Way logo when appropriate. Reporting is a critical requirement, with recipients obligated to provide clear documentation of how funds were used. This ensures transparency and provides the community with assurance that their contributions are achieving tangible outcomes. Though the guidelines suggest urgency in fund disbursement, appropriate oversight mechanisms are built into the process to ensure funds are used effectively and equitably. The 2025/2026 grant cycle application deadline is set for February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The program is expected to recur annually, with the next application cycle anticipated to open in January 2026. No specific pre-application requirements such as a letter of intent or concept paper are mentioned, suggesting a direct application process. Site visits are part of the post-award monitoring process; contact information for a representative must be provided as part of the application to facilitate scheduling. The application process includes detailed organization-level data collection, including mission statement, volunteer engagement, fiscal year data, endowment status, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Program-specific sections for up to four proposed initiatives require justification of need, activity timelines, deliverables, outcomes, partnerships, budgets, and sustainability plans. Applications must be comprehensive, addressing demographic impact and aligning with community needs and evidence-based indicators such as health assessments and education reports. Support for the Springfield Unity Fund is community-based, with financial backing from donors and coordination through United Way. The program prioritizes responsive grantmaking and equitable service delivery to historically underserved immigrant populations. Contact information for general inquiries is [email protected], and application materials, including budget templates, can be accessed through the United Way website under the “Impact” tab. This grant is specifically targeted to nonprofit entities within Springfield and does not serve a national applicant base.