The United Way Suncoast (UWS) Community Investment Grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on education and financial security in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. This funding opportunity aims to support programs that assist ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households—working individuals and families struggling to afford basic necessities such as housing, childcare, food, and healthcare. The 2025-2028 funding cycle will support organizations working to improve kindergarten readiness, grade-level reading, youth success, workforce development, and financial stability.

UWS will provide funding for up to three years, with grants ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 annually. The investment process is competitive, and funding will be contingent on program performance and availability of funds. Programs must align with UWS’s strategic goals, and funding will be available to organizations that can demonstrate measurable impact in education or financial security. Funding is open to nonprofits, public schools, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored organizations that have been in operation since at least July 1, 2024.

Programs eligible for funding must serve at least 75% of participants residing in UWS’s identified focus areas. UWS emphasizes collaboration and expects funded partners to share program data, participate in regional initiatives, and engage in collective learning. UWS has streamlined the application process, replacing its previous two-stage system with a single submission. Applications will be reviewed by UWS and a community panel, with select applicants invited for site visits.

Funded organizations will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports detailing participant demographics, program outcomes, and impact measurements. Programs must also align with UWS’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Financial documentation will be required as part of the application process, including organizational budgets and financial statements from the two most recent fiscal years.

Organizations must submit applications through UWS’s online grant portal. Virtual office hours will be available to assist applicants, and final funding decisions will be approved by UWS’s Board of Directors. Selected partners will be expected to participate in ongoing learning and collaboration efforts throughout the funding cycle.