Community Impact Fund Grant

The Community Impact Fund from United Way of 1000 Lakes is a competitive grant program supporting local nonprofits that serve children, individuals, and families in Greater Itasca County. The 2026 grant cycle centers on advancing two-generation solutions that address the interconnected needs of children and the adults in their lives. Grantmaking is focused within two priority areas: Healthy Minds & Bodies and Family Financial Stability. While “Ready Kids, Resilient Families” and “Safety Net” are broader organizational impact areas, proposals for those are not accepted in this cycle through this application. This fund supports organizations that provide direct services, work across systems, or engage in collaborative coalitions to address barriers to wellbeing and economic mobility. All applicants must serve vulnerable or marginalized populations including those with low incomes, health conditions, or facing educational or economic disparities. Programs must operate within Itasca County, Hill City, or the Leech Lake Reservation. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, faith-based groups with non-discriminatory practices, and community organizations with a fiscal sponsor. The 2026 grant cycle awards unrestricted funding ranging between $2,500 and $15,000 to programs aligned with selected United Way strategies. These include health services access, behavioral support, employment training, housing stability, financial education, and more. All applicants are required to identify a strategy and accompanying metrics from United Way’s framework, and selected grantees will submit performance data and engage in peer learning as part of a system-improvement approach. The application process has two parts: initial proposals, due October 6, 2025, and full proposals, due October 20, 2025, by invitation only. Site visits will take place between October 27 and November 7. Final decisions will be made by late December, and the grant funding period will run from January 1 to December 31, 2026. United Way strongly encourages applicants to attend optional virtual office hours on September 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule a session or inquire about the process, applicants can contact Kim Brink Smith by phone at 218-999-7570 or email kimberly@uwlakes.org. Future funding opportunities are expected to open again in Fall/Winter 2026.

First-time applicants are encouraged to attend virtual office hours on September 23 2025. Applicants must align with the grant’s two-generation approach and be willing to report on 2Gen metrics and participate in peer learning cohorts.