United Way is proud to partner with a powerful network of community-based organizations tackling the most complex issues facing Central Indiana. We are grateful for support from Lilly Endowment Inc. and others to make this work possible. We believe in supporting the network through asset development, infrastructure investments, leadership development and technical assistance for organizations to develop additional competencies, enhance skills, and work toward whole organizational sustainability and effective mission delivery. A stronger human service sector makes for greater long-term impact and improved quality of life across our community. Only organizations accredited by United Way of Central Indiana are eligible to apply for Sector Support funding in 2024.

Capacity Building Fund

Grants to support United Way of Central Indiana accredited partners with long-term, comprehensive capacity-building and organizational resiliency initiatives. This fund enables United Way to provide up to $50,000 to organizations in response to an organizational assessment and/or a clearly stated and well-supported business case.

Participation in this fund is limited to accredited partners of United Way. 

Proposals for which the committee may recommend funding include:  

• Leadership and Adaptive Capacity:   assisting in a merger or strategic alliance, clarifying and/or revising mission/vision, comprehensive organizational evaluation  

• Board Development:  recruitment, diversity, governance, responsibilities, board-staff responsibilities, involvement, orientation, financial oversight, fundraising    

• Program Development and Impact Evaluation:  program development, outcome measurement, needs assessments, collaborations, networking, volunteer management  

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:  equity audits, all-staff equity training, equity consultants 

2024 Application Dates: 

• Applications Open: February 26, 2024  

• Applications Close: April 26, 2024  

• Award Notifications: May 15, 2024  

To begin your application, click here.

For more information about the Capacity Fund, please email Isaac Mervis. 

Capital Projects Fund

Investing in our accredited partner organization’s capital improvements to enhance the delivery of human service programs. Grants are provided to access technical assistance necessary to successfully plan and execute complicated projects as well as for a significant portion of project costs, enabling organizations to leverage other community support through matching funding partnerships. 

Volunteer and Professional Oversight: United Way has established a volunteer Capital Projects Fund Committee which is accountable to the United Way Executive Committee for approval of funding recommendations for projects. The committee is comprised of highly skilled volunteers with relevant experience in the following areas: nonprofit governance; capital campaign fundraising; building trades; architecture; construction management; real estate law; commercial brokerage; and accounting and finance. They evaluate all proposals and provide important feedback to organizations considering and planning complex projects. Assessment and planning grants may be approved based on the recommendation of the Director of Infrastructure and approval of the Committee Chair. 

2023 Project Application Dates: January 9, April 6, June 8, September 7, October 12

For more information regarding the Capital Projects Fund, please contact Gary Woodworth, Director of Infrastructure at gary.woodworth@uwci.org. 

Contingency Fund

Grants to help United Way of Central Indiana accredited partners respond to unexpected emergencies and unavoidable shortfalls to reduce financial hardship and sustain critical services. With changes in government funding, shifting philanthropic priorities, and competition from the for-profit sector, many organizations find themselves in precarious and unpredictable financial situations. This fund enables United Way to provide up to $100,000 on a rolling basis to quickly respond to the changing needs of both our partners and the community at-large.     

Participation in this fund is limited to accredited partners of United Way.  

Circumstances which may contribute to an organization receiving assistance through the Contingency Fund include:  

• Major unexpected losses in potential and/or expected revenue due to forces outside of the organization’s control  

• Critical, unexpected need for urgent funding to stabilize and continue operations due to forces outside of the organization’s control  

Circumstances which will not contribute to an organization receiving assistance through the Contingency Fund include:  

• Revenue constraints which are a direct result of an organization’s action or inaction  

• Emergencies that are covered under the Facilities Maintenance Fund  

Please note, the committee will not consider proposals that request funding for the acquisition of assets that are not critical to the organization’s core operations, existing mortgage or capital debts, and/or supporting an endowment.     

2024 Application Dates: Rolling  

To begin your application, click here.

For more information about the Contingency Fund, please email Isaac Mervis.

Facilities Maintenance Fund

United Way of Central Indiana provides funding assistance for major repairs required to keep facilities well maintained and in compliance with all ADA requirements. Grants are available for planned replacement of major facility components that have reached their useful life, as well as totally unanticipated emergency repair needs required to avoid an immediate interruption in an organization’s ability to deliver programs. 

Volunteer and Professional Oversight: United Way has established a volunteer Facilities Maintenance Fund Committee which is accountable to the United Way Executive Committee for approval of funding recommendations for projects. Emergency repair projects and technical assistance may be approved based on the recommendation of the Director of Infrastructure and the agreement of the FMF Committee chair. The Committee currently has twelve members with extensive experience in facilities management, property management, and asset management. 

Members of the Committee have strong ties to and have taken leadership roles with real estate management organizations like the Building and Owners Association (BOMA), International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), the Apartment Association, and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). With these talented individuals, United Way has leveraged local community resources to provide additional assistance for agencies with their facilities management needs. 

The Committee has planned and conducted Facilities Assistance Workshops, developed a library of resources, provided recommendations for quality contractors, and occasionally provided volunteer consulting on complex projects.  

2023 Application dates: January 16, March 13, May 22, July 17, October 16 

For Emergencies – contact Director of Infrastructure immediately. For more information regarding the Facilities Maintenance Fund, please contact Gary Woodworth, Director of Infrastructure at gary.woodworth@uwci.org. 

Human Services Professional Renewal Program

Through the generous financial support of Lilly Endowment, Inc., United Way of Central Indiana invests in hard-working, dedicated human services professionals through individually designed plans for professional renewal. This program provides opportunities to reinvigorate nonprofit leaders so they can bring fresh ideas and energy to the human services sector.  

Since the program began in 2002, nearly 600 hard-working, dedicated human service professionals have participated. Past grantees report their renewal activities have left them refreshed, focused, and better able to handle their job responsibilities. Human service professionals experience burn-out for a variety of reasons including:   

• Long hours, including taking work home and overtime.   

• Barriers to accessing formal outlets to relieve stress.   

• Limited funds to pay for long breaks.   

• Insufficient time and/or resources to pursue learning opportunities.   

• Organization funding cuts.   

Examples of previously funded Renewal activities include: 

• Traveling to Greece for a culinary excursion 

• Exploring Israel during Holy Week 

• Learning to surf in New Zealand 

• Visiting London to see Shakespeare's Globe Theatre 

• Touring Kenya to learn about elephants 

Eligible human services professionals must: 

• Be an employee of United Way of Central Indiana, or a United Way of Central Indiana accredited organization; AND 

• Have been employed eight (8) or more consecutive years by a human services nonprofit organization as of the application deadline; AND 

• Have been employed by their current organization five (5) or more consecutive years as of the application deadline; AND 

• Serve clients in the United Way of Central Indiana areas of service (Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, and Putnam counties); AND 

• Intend to remain in human services work and at their organization for at least two (2) years after the renewal experience. 

Human service professionals that meet the eligibility criteria can apply for up to $12,000 to engage in activities designed for professional and personal renewal. 

2024 Application Dates: 

• Applications Open: February 23, 2024  

• Applications Close: April 26, 2024  

• Award Notifications: May 10, 2024  

2024 Information Session Dates: 

• Information Session 1: April 9, 2024 | 9:00am-10:00am 

• Information Session 2: April 18, 2024 | 4:00pm-5:00pm 

For more information about the Human Services Professional Renewal Program, click here. 

To begin your application, click here. 

For any questions about the Human Services Professional Renewal Program, contact Isaac Mervis.  

Technology Fund

Funding to help improve the technological infrastructure and operational efficiency of partner organizations. Grants are available for technical assistance to help assess an organization’s priority needs for improvements in technology as well as assistance with the cost of project implementation. 

Areas of Funding: 

• Assessment Grants: Technical assistance applications will be reviewed on an open basis with no established due date. Potential funding of up to 100% of the cost with a maximum of $3,000. A scope of work and quote from a technology consultant is necessary before an organization applies to the United Way Technology Fund – Assessment Grant. 

• Project Grants: Any UWCI accredited community organization desiring to apply will be required to demonstrate that the proposed project is a result of a thorough assessment and prioritization of organizational needs and completion of a thoughtful planning process.  

Technology Grants may be awarded for: 

• Training Grants for CBO employees to attend specific classes for training and education on technology. 

• Purchase of new technology such as software information systems, operating systems, robotics process automation (RPA), e-mail systems, SaaS solutions or cloud infrastructure, communication systems, hardware technology, networking, website development, remote work capability, virtual program delivery 

• Resource augmentation – limited short-term contract services   

2023 Application close dates: March 9 and June 8 

For any questions about the Technology Fund, reach out to Belinda Drake.