UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND GRANT PROCESS OVERVIEW. Prepared by Community Impact Team. February 2015 Version 1.

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1 UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND GRANT PROCESS OVERVIEW Prepared by Community Impact Team February 2015 Version 1.0

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary... 3 Eligibility Requirements... 3 Stewardship Process... 3 Education, Income, and Health Grants... 4 Overview... 4 Request for proposals... 4 Basic Needs Grants... 4 Overview... 4 Request for proposals

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Community Impact Grants Process of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is an open, transparent, and competitive process that allows eligible programs to apply for multiyear (three year) funding for Education, Income, or Health focused programs, or annual funding for Basic Needs programs (see below). The objective is to identify the programs that can best contribute to achieving the Community s ten- year goals for Education, Income and Health. See a list of the community investments» Read blog series about the 2013 grants process» United Way invites 501(c)3 organizations doing outstanding work in these areas to consider applying for United Way Community Impact Grants. Nonprofits apply for funding for programs that align with the community's ten- year goals and strategies and their applications are reviewed by United Way staff and volunteers. Ultimately, United Way volunteers make all funding decisions in this competitive process. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible to apply for a grant from the Community Impact Fund, a program must: Concentrate its efforts and services within the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas service area (Dallas, Collin, Southern Denton and Rockwall counties); Align with at least one of United Way s focus areas, strategies or community metrics, or fall under the Basic Needs category; Meet financial criteria including: a complete annual independent audit, an annual tax return (990/990EZ), an active Board of Directors, and an IRS determination letter verifying non- profit status. Each applicant is initially reviewed against key financial standards. Afterwards, programs are evaluated for their alignment with the strategies and goals for Education, Income and Health; ability to show measurable results; and the resources it takes to obtain those results. This assessment uses a consistent and standardized tool and includes reviews of written proposals and site visits of applicants. Throughout the review process, Best Investment Criteria are used to determine strength of the program investment based on: Alignment: Connection between program goals, United Way strategy panel metric(s), and United Way Impact area. Impact: Effectiveness of programming as reflected by evaluation efforts and outcomes Resources: Access to the resources (staff, experience, financial, etc.) to successfully implement the program Stewardship Process Any organization applying for grants from the Community Impact Fund must meet financial criteria including: a complete annual independent audit, an annual tax return (990/990EZ), an active Board of Directors, and an IRS determination letter verifying non- profit status. Currently Funded Service Providers. Stewardship packets are due December 31 annually for multiyear funded Service Providers. Any Service Provider that received a Community Impact Grant must submit one Stewardship packet through e- C Impact by 4 p.m. on December 31,

4 Applying Service Providers. Please check the currently posted Request for Proposals (RFP) for details on required documents, process and deadlines. Please note that you will not be eligible to receive funding through the Community Impact Fund if you do not complete and pass all Stewardship requirements. If you have any questions about Stewardship, please contact Mark Pollack, Director, Community Impact Operations, at or EDUCATION, INCOME, AND HEALTH GRANTS Overview To change lives in North Texas forever, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas invests donors' gifts in the highest quality programs that make measurable progress toward the community goals: Education prepare 60 percent of high school graduates to succeed in education after high school Quality early childhood education Math and science programs College & career preparation programs Parent Engagement & Mentoring English Language Learning College & Career Preparation Afterschool and Summer Programming Income move 250,000 more people out of poverty permanently Financial Education programs Increase Access to Jobs Job skills training programs Health improve community health through expanded access, preventive care and healthy behaviors Expanded access to health care Developing healthy moms and babies Healthy Behaviors Obesity Substance Abuse Family Violence Request for proposals The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas request for Community Impact Grants for Education, Income, and Health proposals is currently closed. United Way Community Impact Grants are now three- year grants. Please check back for more information in Fall 2015 to apply for the next grant cycle. BASIC NEEDS GRANTS Overview In addition to focusing on long- term, sustainable change in the areas of Education, Income and Health, United Way will continue to invest in programs that address basic needs in the community. As noted above, United Way awards Basic Needs Grants annually, in an effort to help the North Texas community provide emergency or short- term services to those facing crisis situations. United Way staff and volunteers review Basic Needs Grant proposals and make funding decisions in this open, competitive process. 4

5 Note that 501(c)3 organizations interested in applying for Basic Needs Grants must satisfy the grant eligibility criteria (see above). Please contact Mark Pollack if you have any questions pertaining to Basic Needs at or Request for proposals The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas request for Basic Needs Grant proposals is currently closed. Please check back for more information in January