The Impact Funding Grants offered by United Way of DeKalb County, Indiana, aim to create sustainable change through support for local programs that serve ALICE populations—individuals and families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. These are residents who are working yet struggle to meet basic needs due to limited income and a lack of benefits such as healthcare, paid leave, or reliable housing.
Impact Grants are divided into two streams: the ALICE Grant and the Community Impact Grant. Applicants must select one funding track per cycle and demonstrate alignment with one of four priority areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, or Community Resiliency. All applicants must commit to collaboration, integrity, and measurable community impact.
The ALICE Grant Cycle opens on August 18, 2025, and closes September 30, 2025. Applications are reviewed from October 1 to November 3, followed by committee deliberation on November 4. Final funding decisions will be made by the board on November 18, with notifications issued by November 26.
The Community Impact Grant Cycle begins with a mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI) phase, opening September 15 and closing October 15, 2025. LOIs are reviewed through early November, and selected applicants will be invited to submit full applications between November 10 and December 15. Final decisions for this cycle will be communicated on February 27, 2026.
To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations or community-based agencies serving DeKalb County residents. Programs must align with United Way’s mission and one of the four designated impact areas. Attendance at a Grant Information Session is mandatory for all applicants—those who fail to participate in one of these annual sessions are not eligible to apply.
Funded programs are expected to produce compelling, measurable results. The ALICE Grant supports projects that address immediate barriers to health, education, financial stability, and resiliency, while the Community Impact Grant supports broader, systemic initiatives that aim to improve long-term outcomes across the county.
Interested applicants should visit the United Way of DeKalb County’s Grant Portal or contact Community Impact Coordinator Kirby Cool at kirby@unitedwaydekalb.org for support.
Ensure your team attends the required info session or your application will be ineligible. Clearly define impact area alignment and measurable results.
