Deadline: 01-Mar-21
Applications are now open for UWGT Basic Needs Assistance Grants Program.
Focus Areas
A separate submission must be completed for each program focus area:
- Food Assistance
- Rent & Utility Assistance
- Access to Healthcare & Prescription Assistance
- Safety from Domestic Violence
Funding Information
There is no minimum; the maximum request is $40,000 per year.
Which organizations are eligible to apply for grants?
Eligible organizations must actively conduct programs and services to individuals residing in Shawnee, Jackson (Safety from Domestic Violence only) and/or Jefferson Counties in Kansas and be an organization for charitable, health, welfare, character-building and allied purposes. The organization must be an eligible charitable organization as designated by the IRS code 170 or amendments thereto and be able to receive deductible contributions.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, an organization must meet the following criteria:
Administrative Criteria
- The organization must actively conduct programs and provide services to individuals residing in Shawnee and/or Jefferson Counties in Kansas and be an organization for charitable health, welfare, character-building and allied purposes.
- Organizations that provide services for Jackson County in the area of safety from domestic violence may include Jackson County in their proposal. Applicants cannot serve Jackson County only.
- The organization must be an eligible charitable organization as designated by the IRS code 170 or amendments thereto and able to receive tax-deductible contributions.
- The organization must operate on a nondiscriminatory basis in all respects including but not limited to age, sex, race, religion, national origin and disability.
Organizational Criteria
The organization must have been incorporated and actively conducting business for at least two years at the time of application.
Board Criteria
The organization must have a satisfactory level of board control as demonstrated by the following:
- The organization must assure effective control by a volunteer board of directors selected in a satisfactory manner and be representative of the community and the people served. The organization’s board must have rotation procedures for its members. The organization must assure efficient management, effective service and a reasonable prospect of continuity.
- The organization must have a governing body whose membership is consistent with the number of board members outlined in the organizational bylaws, who serve without compensation, and who shall be in attendance at its meetings and otherwise take an active part in the organization. A minimum level of board attendance is defined as attending no less than 65% of regularly scheduled meetings.
- The governing body must have full power to: establish operating policy; to employ, supervise and dismiss its executive director; to control and be responsible for its auxiliaries and other groups operating in or using the name of the organization; to enter into contracts with UWGT and to acquire, manage and dispose of real and capital properties obtained in the name of the organization.
- The governing body must be organized so as to assure accountability and operating efficiency and must meet no fewer than four times a year.
- The governing body must review and approve the annual operating budget of the organization and approve any significant budget changes.
- No board member may be an employee of the organization. No paid staff member may be allowed to serve as a voting member of the governing body.
Financial Criteria
- The organization shall present documentation of its financial condition which shows the total income and expenditures of the organization. The organization must be able to demonstrate evidence of ongoing financial support from the community and a balanced strategy to develop alternate sources of revenue. This must be shown through an independent organizational financial audit or an independent organizational financial review. Providing financial documents will not suffice.
- Budgets that indicate specific program income and expenses must be submitted on current United Way budget forms. They shall have been approved by the applying organization’s board of directors.
- The organization shall maintain accounting records which are in conformity with the current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- The organization, within nine months after its financial year-end, must have an independent financial audit or review completed as follows:
- total revenue of $500,000 or greater – annual independent audit
- total revenue less than $500,000 – independent audit at least every 2 years with an independent review or audit in alternate years
For more information, visit https://unitedwaytopeka.org/ci/apply/