The United Way of Lee County (UWLC) is accepting applications for its 2025 Allocation Application for funding. This funding opportunity is designed to support nonprofit agencies that provide essential human services to the Lee County community. Agencies selected for funding will receive disbursements near May 31, 2025, July 31, 2025, October 31, 2025, and January 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2025, by noon to be considered for funding. The purpose of this grant is to identify and support strong nonprofit partners that address pressing community issues and create a significant impact within Lee County.

The funding focuses on human service-oriented programs that fall under four primary categories: Health & Basic Needs, Education (focused on children and success in school), Financial Stability & Homelessness, and Youth Development & Community Enrichment. Eligible programs must directly benefit residents of Lee County. Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to serving the community through impactful programming that aligns with the United Way’s mission.

To qualify for funding, applicant agencies must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a focus on human services. Additionally, agencies must have a governing Board of Directors that meets at least quarterly, and these board members must be unpaid. If the agency is part of a regional organization, at least one director from the Lee County community must be included, with a demonstrated commitment to recruiting local representatives. Agencies must comply with all United Way policies, including fundraising campaign policies. Grant requests cannot include fees for grant writing services.

Applications must be completed and submitted in one session, as the online form does not allow for saving progress. It is strongly recommended that applicants print a blank application, gather necessary data, and review responses before submitting the online form. Many sections require file attachments, and the system only accepts jpg, jpeg, png, pdf, doc, and xls files (not .docx or .xlsx). The maximum file size per document is 6MB.

Organizations may apply for funding for up to three different programs. Applicants must select the correct application based on the number of programs for which funding is requested. For example, a child care center seeking funding for scholarships, teacher training, and an after-school program would need to apply using the three-program application.

For questions regarding the application process, agencies can contact United Way of Lee County by phone at (815) 284-3339 or by email at arichter@uwleeco.org. The office is located at 98 S. Galena Ave, Dixon, IL 61021, and operates from Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.