Community impact fund
investing in our community
Through the generous contributions of individual and corporate donors, we invest millions of dollars each year through the Community Impact Fund
The Community Impact Fund (formerly the Community Care Fund) is our traditional process of investing contributions from donors into metro-area community programs. The Community Impact Fund (CIF) is one piece of our total investment in the community, but perhaps what we are known for most.
amplifying the impact of each donation
THROUGH THE COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, ONE DONATION INVESTS IN MORE THAN 100 PROGRAMS AT ONCE.
Donors can either designate directly to the Community Impact Fund or give generally to United Way of the Midlands to support this work. Programs receiving UWM funds have the flexibility to use these dollars within the scope of their initiatives to meet various needs, amplifying the value of your support.
community voice in action
Receiving an investment from the Community Impact Fund is more than a financial investment. It is a stamp of approval from our community volunteers who make the investment recommendations.
Teams of community volunteers review program applications and direct dollars where they are needed most – creating a circle of support and strengthening the human services network in our community.
providing a circle of support
your gift builds a stronger tomorrow for our community
more than
local programs
from more than
local nonprofits
to provide
services
how it works
application process
UWM accepts applications from nonprofits across the metro requesting funding for their programming.
The process begins with nonprofits submitting a letter of intent to apply for funding, followed by a due diligence meeting where applicants meet with UWM staff members to discuss their program and the application process. Based upon the letter of intent and the due diligence meeting, nonprofits are then invited to apply and are provided with the formal application.
community-led funding
A key part of the process is the utilization of community volunteer review teams to review applications and help determine which agency programs receive a grant award.
Our review teams are made up of volunteers from the community who generously donate their time and represent diverse areas of expertise and lived experiences. Conflicts of interests are disclosed and respected to maintain the integrity of the process.
Once all of the applications are received by UWM, volunteers are assigned to a review team with a focus rooted in one of our four priority funding areas: Community Resiliency, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security and Healthy Communities. The teams are assigned 10-12 applications to score, participate in an orientation meeting and two review meetings to discuss scores and recommend funding levels. All CIF funding is reviewed and approved by the UWM Board of Directors.
relationships & reporting
This process helps ensure all funds are awarded to programs making the most significant impact in the community, while also addressing the highest needs in our area.
Over the course of the grant period, UWM staff reviews reporting, provides technical assistance, connects volunteers to the agencies and uses this time to strengthen our organizational partnerships. Partners are also provided opportunities to bring visibility to their work through UWM engagement, publicity and data partnerships. For multi-year investments, site visits are conducted in off-cycle years to provide volunteers with a sense of how dollars are being used to enhance service delivery.
This engagement also helps UWM and volunteers keep our pulse on community needs in preparation for future funding cycles.
2024 - 2026 investments
Through the CIF’s 2024-2026 investment cycle, UWM is investing $6.4 million into more than 120 unique programs across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.
A majority of CIF investments provide multi-year funding. These programs support UWM’s goal of delivering 10 million services during the ’24-’25 one-year period.
A TRUSTED STEWARD OF DONOR FUNDS
UWM IS COMMITMENT TO LEADING THE DISCERNMENT PROCESS WITH BEST PRACTICES AND OPEN COMMUNICATION.
Each program applying was able to connect with UWM staff to receive feedback and seek clarity prior to the application with the addition of a letter of intent requirement and a due diligence meeting this cycle.
The nonprofit landscape has grown increasingly competitive with a growing number of organizations providing vital services, which underscores the importance of the CIF and its process. UWM is proud to be investing in these programs that the volunteer review teams diligently examined and recommended based on their ability to serve critical needs in our community.
Funded agencies
2024 - 2026 investments
Through the CIF’s 2024-2026 investment cycle, UWM is investing $6.4 million into more than 120 unique programs across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.
A majority of CIF investments provide multi-year funding. These programs support UWM’s goal of delivering 10 million services during the ’24-’25 one-year period.
This cycle saw the addition of a letter of intent requirement, as well as a due diligence meeting, allowing each program applying for funding to connect with UWM staff to receive feedback and seek clarity prior to the application.
The nonprofit landscape has grown increasingly competitive with a growing number of organizations providing vital services, which underscores the importance of the CIF and its process. UWM is proud to be investing in these programs that the volunteer review teams diligently examined and recommended based on their ability to serve critical needs in our community.
COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND PRIORITIES
Our four focus areas work together to create a circle of support that addresses social and economic disparities while connecting families with a network of essential resources.
Programs funded through CIF address social and economic disparities by reaching underserved, low-income or hard-to-reach populations. UWM investments maximize the impact of donor dollars through investments that address our region’s most immediate needs and systemic issues.
Healthy Community
Improving health and well-being for all
Food access, shelter and homeless prevention, physical and behavioral health, case management and legal services, Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) and more.
Youth Opportunity
Helping young people realize their full potential
Childcare and early childhood development, after school and summer learning, mentoring, college and career readiness, family engagement, JAG Nebraska and more.
Financial Security
Building financial stability and strength
Education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, financial literacy and asset development, Siemer Institute partnership and more.
Community Resiliency
Addressing urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow
Referrals to health and human service resources via the 211 Helpline (NE and IA), CRCSP, Goodfellows, Emergency Food & Shelter Program, disaster relief/recovery and more.
APPLY
UWM is currently not accepting applications for the Community Impact Fund. This fund runs on a two-year investment cycle, with the process for 2026-2028 funding opening in fall of 2025. If you are a nonprofit interested in applying to future cycles of the Community Impact Fund, please email communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org to connect with a UWM grant manager.