Funding Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for United Way funding, applicants must meet all criteria below:

Organizational Requirements: 

• The organization is a nonprofit human service corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia, holds tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and maintains a current charitable fundraising registration with the Georgia Office of the Secretary of State. 

• The organization has a Board of Directors that serves as an active, representative, and voluntary governing body, meets regularly, and is responsible for establishing the mission, setting strategic direction, and providing organizational oversight. 

• The organization has bylaws that state the purpose of the organization, make provisions for the size of the Board of Directors and provide rules for selection, tenure, number of officers and committees, financial and legal procedures, conflicts of interest and quorum requirements. 

• The Board of Directors and staff agree to uphold the mission of United Way of the Coastal Empire and participate in the annual charitable giving campaign, government relations efforts, and communications activities as requested. 

• The organization is in compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other state and federal anti-terrorism laws. 

Program Requirements: 

• The organization has a history of providing services in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and/or Long counties for a minimum of three years. 

• Services are provided free of discrimination based on race, national origin, religious belief, military and veteran status, disability, age, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 

• Applicant program must align with one of UWCE’s strategic impact areas and subsequent impact metrics: 

• • Safety Net: Helping individuals and families meet their basic needs creates a foundation for economic stability. When basic needs are met, people can focus on opportunities for upward mobility rather than crisis management. UWCE’s priorities are 1) Shelter, 2) Healthcare, 3) Legal assistance/abuse intervention, and 4) Food. 

• • • Required Safety Net Metric: # of individuals who received basic needs support and were also provided with or referred to resources for upward mobility (i.e. employment readiness, financial coaching, etc.) 

• Upward Mobility: Including Safe & Stable Housing, Ready & Resilient Workforce, Child Care & Development, and Financial Skills for Empowerment. 

• • Required Upward Mobility metric (select at least 1): 

• • • Workforce Participation: # of individuals who re-enter or advance in the workforce.  

• • • Income Growth: # of individuals who increase income through higher earnings, better benefits, or reduced expenses.  

• • • Academic or Skill Achievement: # of individuals demonstrating academic or skill improvement through industry-recognized assessments.  

• • • Asset/Wealth Building: # of individuals/households acquiring or preserving assets. 

• The organization has the capacity and mechanisms in place to provide regular reporting of measurable, qualitative and quantitative outcomes. 

• The organization demonstrates reasonable efficiency of program management and adequacy of resources, both in materials and in personnel (voluntary and paid) to sustain a quality level of service. 

Financial Requirements: 

• The organization can submit, at time of application, an independent financial audit from the most recently completed calendar or fiscal year. A third-party financial review will be accepted for organizations with an annual revenue below $500,000.   

• An IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N (e-postcard).  

• The Board of Directors reviews and approves the annual audit, or review, as well as IRS Form 990. 

• The organization has proof of adequate liability insurance coverage and will indemnify United Way of the Coastal Empire, its volunteers and staff from any and all liability for any damage or injury caused to an employee, client, patron, agency, visitor or guest of the organization.