The 2025-26 Basic Needs Grants offered by Capital Area United Way (CAUW) provide funding for nonprofit organizations delivering essential services to the community’s most vulnerable populations. This includes individuals and families experiencing homelessness and those living below the ALICE threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty. The grants are intended to address basic needs such as emergency shelter, food insecurity, legal assistance, emergency financial support (utilities, rent, mortgage), short-term housing, case management during crises, and related services.

Applicants may request funding between $10,000 and $30,000, though requests of up to $50,000 will be considered. Only one application per organization is allowed; however, organizations can propose projects that cover multiple basic needs services within a single application. One-time capital expenses necessary to support basic needs service delivery are also eligible.

The application period opens on February 26, 2025, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on March 26, 2025. Applications must be submitted via e-CImpact, CAUW’s online system for managing its resource investment process. Grantees will be announced in May 2025.

Organizations seeking assistance with the application process or requiring clarification can contact programinvestment@cauw.org. Additional general inquiries can be directed to info@cauw.org. The funding cycle covers the 2025-26 program year, and agencies will be required to provide reports and accountability documents through e-CImpact.