Community Fund Funded Agency Programs Issue Areas Issue Area Grants Grant Reporting Report Form Emergency Fund Grants Center for Nonprofit Excellence Community Fund Volunteers

Community Fund Funding Cycle

What is the Community Fund?

In 2011-12, the Community Fund will support 110 programs, totaling $3,515,500 in grants to assist those most vulnerable in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties. This Fund ensures a continuum of services that addresses the most pressing issues, including education, hunger, homelessness, disabilities, family violence and healthcare.

Community Fund Grants are program awards; funds cannot be used for overall agency operating expenses, sub-grants or major capital expenditures. The nine Issue Areas are:

EDUCATION

» Strengthening families: Family and child advocacy; legal assistance

» Building independence: Emergency services; literacy and learning programs

» Supporting education: Specialty schools and preschools; out-of-school time education support

INCOME

» Serving our seniors: Senior services, including legal assistance

» Sheltering neighbors: Shelter for children and families; homelessness services and housing

» Assisting people with disabilities: Services to children and adults with disabilities

HEALTH

» Preventing family violence: Empowering victims of violence and domestic violence shelters

» Eliminating hunger: Food assistance for individuals and families

» Promoting healthy lives: Cancer support services; access to healthcare; therapy for children and families; mental health care

Who can apply for a Community Fund Grant?

Agencies wishing to apply for program grants through this process must meet the following criteria:

Provide service in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and/or Valencia counties
Provide health and human services
Serve the most vulnerable in our community
Adhere to UWCNM’s Social Action and Non-Discrimination Policies
Have a volunteer board of directors
Have less than 25% administrative costs

What is the timeline for the entire process?

July 1	New funding cycle begins
Mid-September	Agencies wishing to apply attend training
Fall & Year-long	Panel volunteers are recruited
November	Program RFPs are due to UWCNM
Mid-January	Panel volunteers attend training
February & March	Panel members make agency site visits
Early April	Grant negotiation nights
May	Preliminary award letters mailed to agencies
May	UW Board approves funding recommendations
June	Final award agreements mailed to agencies

Who decides the awards?

By joining a Community Fund Panel, donors to United Way of Central New Mexico help decide where Community Fund dollars will be allocated in our community.

With a small team of eight to twelve volunteers, panel members review agencies’ program proposals, make site visits and examine services, administration and outcomes to determine which programs most efficiently meet the grant criteria. Panel chairs and assistant chairs guide the decision-making discussions and present the panels’ recommendations at Grant Negotiation Nights.

Final funding recommendations are approved by the Community Impact Council, the volunteer body overseeing the entire process, and the UWCNM Board of Directors.

When do site visits occur?

Site visits take place in February and March and Grant Negotiation Nights happen in early April. Site visits usually occur during working hours, between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Final funding decisions are mailed to agencies in mid-June and funding begins July 1.

How does an agency sign up to apply for funding?

If your agency meets the above grant criteria, email Mary Regnier to sign up for a fall training session.

Agencies that are not sure they meet the requirements can email Mary Regnier or Josefa Wall.

My agency does not qualify for a Community Fund Grant according to the criteria listed above. Can my agency still receive assistance from United Way of Central New Mexico?

Any nonprofit agency, whether or not it qualifies to apply for a Community Fund Grant, can access the many programs and services offered by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Information about both the Center and funding options are available on the Center’s website at www.centerfornonprofitexcellence.org.