The United Way of the Great River Region (UWGRR) provides annual funding to nonprofit organizations serving Clark County in Missouri, Hancock County in Illinois, and Lee County in Iowa. For the 2025 grant cycle, applications must either be received by UWGRR by June 6, 2025, or postmarked no later than May 31, 2025. Applicants must ensure that all application materials, including supporting documents and compliance certifications, are submitted in full to be considered for funding.
The grant program is geared toward new and existing projects that serve residents in the specified tri-county region. Priority is given to programs that directly benefit individuals in these areas. The grant does not support bricks-and-mortar projects such as building renovations, HVAC installations, or paving work. Funded organizations must provide an end-of-year report detailing their use of funds and project outcomes. Funding decisions will be finalized around July 31, 2025, with notification letters sent by approximately August 8, 2025.
Applicants must submit a completed seven-page application form along with various supporting documents. These include financial reports such as audits or annual financial statements, IRS Form 990s, balance sheets, budget comparisons, a projected budget for the upcoming year, a copy of the IRS tax determination letter, and detailed information about the organization’s board of directors. Organizations must also certify compliance with U.S. anti-terrorism laws and include a completed checklist to confirm all required documents are included.
The application includes sections for general agency and program information, funding needs, and anticipated impact. It also requests demographic and participation data across the service counties for past and projected years. Applicants must describe their project’s alignment with one or more of UWGRR’s focus areas: Education, Health, Financial Stability, or Other. They must also outline how the requested funds will be used, how the program will be evaluated, and how participant satisfaction will be measured.
The grant review process emphasizes outcome-based reporting. Applicants must identify specific, measurable outcomes and describe the criteria and tools that will be used to evaluate success. Information on staff qualifications, volunteer engagement, and organizational capacity is also required. By supporting projects with clear goals and proven impact, UWGRR aims to enhance quality of life and promote equity in the tri-county area.
