United Way of Dane County Impact Grants 2025-2026

United Way of Dane County is offering 2025-2026 Impact Grants, an open and competitive funding opportunity for organizations working in Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Communities. This grant program is deeply aligned with United Way of Dane County’s Plan for Community Well-Being, which seeks to measurably increase individual and family well-being in Dane County, ensuring every person leads a healthy, thriving, and secure life unimpacted by systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty. The total investment available is approximately $2-$3 million, with minimum awards of $15,000 per year for a two-year funding cycle (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026), contingent on Campaign results. The target beneficiaries of these grants are individuals and families in Dane County, particularly those impacted by systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty. The impact goals are centered on fostering healthy, thriving, and secure lives for all residents. United Way of Dane County is looking to support organizations whose work aligns with their collective vision and demonstrates the greatest potential for impact in helping to achieve these community goals. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined through a multi-generational approach. This includes engaging in sustainable, long-term work on systems change with a clear focus on youth opportunity, financial security, and healthy communities. Furthermore, the grants emphasize modeling equitable, anti-racist practices across all aspects of work, including investments, partnerships, innovation, public policy advocacy, data and research, and connection to resources. Another key priority is cultivating a stronger nonprofit ecosystem through trust-based collaborations to drive positive community change. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in individual and family well-being throughout Dane County. This involves supporting organizations that directly contribute to the defined goals of the Plan for Community Well-Being, ultimately aiming for a community where experiences of systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty no longer impact a person's ability to lead a healthy, thriving, and secure life. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in a holistic approach to community well-being, focusing on systemic change and equitable practices to achieve lasting positive impact.