United Way of Portage County is accepting grant applications for critical needs-focused programs serving Portage County. The deadline to apply is Feb. 16.
United Way of Portage County invests funds raised during its annual campaign through a volunteer-led review and recommendation process. Grant review volunteers engage in a process that matches community needs with evidence-based best practices and program interventions. Volunteers review applications and make site visits. They meet to select the most effective programs and monitor the long-term outcomes and subsequent community impact.
Program review and grant making is governed by a volunteer review team and approved by United Way of Portage County’s Board of Directors.
Any 501(c)3 non-profit program serving Portage County while focusing on the area of Critical Needs is eligible to apply for funding by submitting a grant application online. Critical Need program grants will be awarded for a funding period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.
The grant application is available on United Way of Portage County’s website at https://www.uwportage.org/critical-needs-apply
Grants for public health-focused programs were awarded in 2022 for a funding period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025, with applications for the next funding cycle available in the Spring of 2025.
Grants for youth education-focused programs were awarded in 2023 for a funding period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026, with applications for the next 3-year funding cycle becoming available in the Spring of 2026.
The United Way values accountability, transparency, and openness throughout all stages of the decision-making process. If you have any questions regarding the applications or the process, please call Maureen Gebhardt at 330.297.1424 or email maureeng@uwportage.org.
A list of United Way of Portage County’s funded programs can be found at www.uwportage.org/community-funded-partners.
