2023 Grantmaking Guide
To accomplish our mission, United Way of Central Indiana partners to design, support and grow systems that accelerate financial stability and upward mobility for individuals and families living in or near poverty and striving for a brighter future. We’re committed to identifying and removing the barriers preventing too many of our neighbors from achieving their full potential.
We are proud to partner with and financially support a powerful network of community-based organizations who join us in tackling the most complex issues facing our neighbors. United Way’s impact focus areas are geared to specifically support programs that ensure we support the basic needs of our neighbors in crisis situations, maximize opportunities for children and adults in families to succeed together, continue to inspire and innovate new ways to create change, support a strong and well-resourced human services network, and work to dismantle the very systems that grow – or perpetuate – racial inequity in our community.
Together we work toward a vision that Central Indiana will be a community where children, individuals and families thrive; neighbors care for each other; and we are proud of all our residents’ quality of life.
Our Grantmaking Values
Each application for funding is reviewed using an objective rubric and scored by a dedicated team of board, staff and community volunteers. These scores are the starting point of deliberation that evaluates each application individually and across our portfolio of investments to ensure we’re upholding United Way’s grantmaking values.
These values guide our decision-making and are reflective of our priorities and aspirations.
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Ensuring equity and diversity in the availability and accessibility of resources across the UWCI service area; diverse perspectives and needs are intentionally sought and reflected in all aspects of the organization’s work.
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Presenting a clear, honest representation of the organization and its work; operating with a high level of accountability; addressing challenges directly when they arise.
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Listening to the community voice, serving the community need, and responding to community assets and opportunities.
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Creating positive outcomes through innovative, data driven programming; adapting and responding to changing environments; continuously learning, growing and improving.
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Partnering with community and systems level stakeholders to achieve greater impact, scale and sustain efforts, and strengthen or expand services.
Data Collection & Metrics Reporting
Data collection is a crucial part of each application and the ongoing evaluation of all United Way impact grants. Quarterly, semi-annual and/or annual quantitative and qualitative reporting is required on the metrics for each program’s focus area to demonstrate efficiency, efficacy, and measurable progress toward stated outcomes. Not only does the collection and ongoing evaluation of data benefit each organization in achieving high-quality collective impact for the communities and people we serve, but it also represents an important measure for stakeholders who continue to invest in our work.
United Way’s commitment to data and research is rooted much deeper than grant compliance. We believe it’s the best way to build our collective knowledge around who’s being served, what strategies are the most effective, and how we can better support more individuals and families to attain social and economic mobility. A deep understanding and sharing of data is critical to identify potential gaps in our community’s human services network and provide technical assistance to nonprofits as they continue to build their capacity to collect data and learn from their reports.
We look forward to having conversations around shared learnings across the sector based on the data and analysis from these investments.
To see United Ways Impact data in action, visit our public interactive dashboards, Impact United.
Accredited United Way Community Partners
With the exception of the Social Innovation Fund, United Way’s grantmaking opportunities are only eligible for application by community-based organizations already possessing accreditation status from United Way of Central Indiana.
United Way accredits community-based organizations in human services who are making an impact in our focus areas: basic needs (housing, food, transportation and health), family opportunity (educational success, workforce development and economic assets, social capital, and health and well-being), and social innovation.
All accredited organizations must be legally authorized not-for-profit agencies incorporated in the State of Indiana or a not-for-profit agency with its own governing or advisory board organized as an identified part of another organization which is incorporated in the State of Indiana.
The organization must also conform to all applicable government requirements or regulations including, but not limited to: maintaining corporate formalities (i.e., holding an annual meeting, keeping minutes for all corporate meetings), filing corporate documents in a timely manner (i.e., 990 Form, payroll taxes), abiding by current legislation and regulations concerning non-discrimination in hiring employees and serving clients, facilities accessibility to persons with disabilities, and health and safety standards.
United Way typically opens its accreditation application for new organizations on an annual basis in the fall. Applications are prioritized based on gaps in geography and gaps in services provided across Central Indiana. A team of volunteer leaders, board members and United Way staff work together to evaluate each accredited partner’s organizational strength, responsiveness to community need, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, financial health, community engagement and employment practices, and their alignment with United Way impact areas and strategies.
United Way of Central Indiana is currently proud to partner with 88 accredited community-based organizations across Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties. To see a full list and learn more about upcoming accreditation opportunities click the button below.