Organizations who believe they can help advance United Way’s goals in a specific impact area are welcome to participate in the grants process. Organizations new to United Way’s grants process or organizations not funded in the most recent grant cycle will need to submit an inquiry form for this upcoming cycle.

• The organization serves within Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and/or northern St. Johns Counties.
• Nonprofit organizations: The organization is a nonprofit entity recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is registered with and in good standing with the State of Florida, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, or other governing body that provides oversight.
• Public agencies and higher education institutions: including universities, community colleges, and private and for‑profit organizations.
• The agency clearly aligns with United Way’s mission, strategy, goals, and the program directly addresses community needs identified under investment objectives.
• The organization presents no financial risk for investment.
• The agency can submit required financial statements and documents for the most recently completed year as part of the qualification process.

Click on the button above to review the grant requirements and goals. If you believe your program aligns, we welcome you to click the “INQUIRY FORM” button above to submit the initial information we need to consider your funding need.

Our strategy has evolved, and our grantmaking needs to reflect that. Through our most recent needs assessment and community engagement process, we heard clearly where the gaps are greatest and where coordinated investment can move the needle. This new framework allows us to go deeper — not wider — so that our funding creates lasting, measurable change.

An objective scoring rubric guides the consistent review of new grant partners, ensuring transparency and alignment with United Way’s priority outcomes. This scoring rubric is used by our staff and expert community volunteers in the review process. Serving as stewards of donor resources, United Way’s volunteer Accounting Committee evaluates organizational finances and proposed budgets to ensure investments are safe, sustainable and aligned with strong financial practices, with organizations demonstrating financial instability deemed ineligible for investment.

United Way’s grant dollar pool is subject to change from cycle to cycle due to nimbleness required to respond to community needs. Budget considerations and available investment dollars is also considered.

All requirements for reporting, data systems, outcomes, staff and budget size, etc. are shared in the information document linked above.

While there are no formal trainings or workshops required or scheduled, we are available for one-on-one support meetings by request. Please email [email protected] to book your appointment.

Yes. Any designated dollars from a donor will continue to be allocated to their intended organization or impact area.

Nearly 40% of households in Northeast Florida struggle to make ends meet, which includes households living in poverty or households known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). In response to the growing financial instability facing ALICE and poverty households, United Way of Northeast Florida launched the ALICE Promise 2030, a five-year, data-driven strategy designed to address the root causes of economic hardship and expand pathways to long-term stability. Grounded in the 2025 ALICE Report, the strategy commits United Way to investing in community‑driven solutions that increase access to essential services, improve upward mobility, and strengthen household resilience across Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties.

Dozens of community stakeholders at all levels — government, nonprofit, corporate, grassroots leaders, donors, volunteers, and members of ALICE and poverty households — participated in the development of United Way’s Strategy 2030. This served as the guiding framework for developing our investment model. Additionally, the investment model was reviewed and approved by United Way’s Community Investment Council and board of directors.