UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY SEEKS REQUESTS FOR FUNDING

          United Way of Summit County is accepting funding proposals for its Development and Priorities Funds.  Recognizing that local nonprofit organizations are struggling in the harsh economic environment with tighter funding and increasing client loads, for the first time the Development Fund will consider and give preference to proposals for capacity building.  It will also continue to  consider funding requests for new programs or to expand successful existing programs that address critical community needs.

          “Capacity building” grants would be one-time funding to improve the effectiveness, efficiency or financial sustainability of a program or organization.  Creative proposals are encouraged. “New” programs are defined as services not previously offered by the submitting agency. “Expanded” programs are currently offered with plans for expansion into a new geographic area or provision to an additional or replacement population. Development Fund Grants will be awarded based on the merits of the proposal, with emphasis on increasing service capacity for critical programs, how well it addresses a critical community need, and the benefits to local residents in need. The proposals are also compared to currently existing programs and agencies..

          United Way of Summit County also seeks proposals for its Priority Funds which are focused on: Financial Stability for Families, School Readiness for Children, and Utility Assistance for Adults Without Minor Children in the Household.

          The goal of the Financial Stability for Families priority area is to enable families to obtain and maintain employment and manage personal resources independent of public assistance. The goal of the School Readiness for Children priority area is to prepare children to succeed in Kindergarten and put them on a path of life-long learning. The goal of the Utility Assistance Without Minor Children priority area is to restore or maintain utility services in order to prevent displacement of the household occupant.

          Organizations submitting proposals are encouraged to  seek alignment of programs and projects for which they are seeking funding with existing collaborative efforts in the county such as  Healthy Summit 2020 (Quality of life) Project and the County’s First Things First Early Childhood Development System Plan  . A full description of collaborative efforts is available at . http://www.uwsummit.org/CommunityInvestment/Collaborative.htm

          United Way of Summit County sets aside a portion of undesignated revenue for distribution for Development and Priorities grants through an open Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Area 501 (c) (3) non-profit agencies are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent to United Way of Summit County to determine which organizations will be invited to submit formal proposals.

Successful eligible applicants must:

• Submit a Letter of Intent by Monday, February 20, 2012
• Submit a full proposal online according to United Way’s guidelines and instructions
• Provide service in Summit County
• Be a tax exempt 501-C-3 organization, or have a fiscal agent
• Be in existence for at least three (3) years
• Provide full disclosure of finances (Provide copy of latest financial audit report and IRS Form 990)
• Have a volunteer, representative board of directors/trustees and provide a list of its members
• Adhere to and provide a policy and practice of non-discrimination in the provision of services
• Certify conformity with the United States Patriot Act for receipt of funding
• Be a contributing organization to the United Way of Summit County fundraising campaign or agree to conduct employee campaign, if awarded grant
• Submit requested documents as labeled attachments with the Letter of Intent

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

          A Letter of Intent to respond to the Request for Proposal must be received at United Way of Summit County’s offices (90 N. Prospect Street, Akron, OH 44304) by 4:00 pm, on Monday, February 20, 2012.

          To obtain the Letter of Intent form, and all information on the Grant Proposal Application process, call Sue at 330-643-5510.  Applications from those agencies invited to submit a formal proposal will be accepted only through United Way’s Community Impact Online Data Manager by 4:00 pm, Friday, April 20 , 2012.

          United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, explore our website at www.uwsummit.org, or visit our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.