The United Way of Central New York offers Community Program Fund Grants to nonprofit organizations delivering impactful, community-centered programs that address key systemic and basic needs in Onondaga County. The 2026–2027 grant cycle is a multi-year funding opportunity aimed at strengthening services that align with one of four United Way Impact Areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. Funding is intended to support measurable, results-driven initiatives that produce meaningful outcomes for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, older adults, and ALICE households.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a qualified fiscal sponsor. They must also have at least two years of operational history, a $100,000 minimum operating budget, and employ at least one full-time staff member (1.0 FTE or more). Organizations must provide services in Onondaga County, commit to tracking and reporting metrics such as number served and percent of participants showing improvement, and submit required financial documentation. Programs must be aligned with a primary Impact Area and address either immediate basic needs or long-term systemic barriers like housing, health, food access, transportation, or youth opportunity.
Annual grant awards range from $15,000 to $100,000. Smaller, targeted programs should apply at the lower end of the range, while larger or multi-outcome initiatives may request higher amounts. While one application covers the two-year grant period (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027), continued funding in the second year is contingent upon compliance with grant terms, reporting requirements, and United Way’s monitoring process. Awards are distributed monthly starting in January 2026, and are contingent upon United Way's annual fundraising performance.
The application process includes an RFP release in the week of August 25, 2025, and optional technical assistance webinars beginning the week of September 8, 2025. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 PM on Friday, September 26, 2025. Award decisions will be made between late September and October 31, 2025, with notifications sent in November and contracts finalized by mid-December. The first grant payments and performance tracking begin in January 2026.
Eligible applicants will be evaluated by United Way staff and community volunteers based on program alignment, impact potential, operational capacity, financial health, and alignment with the Results Framework. This framework emphasizes outcomes like total participants served and the percentage achieving intended goals. Reporting will occur semi-annually and include narrative updates, financial documentation, and performance metrics. Questions can be directed to rfp@unitedway-cny.org or by calling 315-428-3744 during weekday business hours.
Clearly align with one Impact Area and Path; provide quantitative outcome projections; ensure financial documentation is complete and recent
