The United Way of Greater Chattanooga has launched its 2025-2026 Community Investment cycle, a funding initiative designed to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to uplifting ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) children and their families. This investment strategy aligns with the organization’s 2030 Impact Agenda, which focuses on improving community well-being through strategic partnerships, resource allocation, and increased transparency in funding decisions. The funding aims to empower local organizations that are working to create long-term, measurable improvements in the lives of individuals and families across targeted communities.

The Community Investment cycle supports programs within three primary impact areas: Opportunities for All Children, Economic Mobility for Families, and A More Connected Community. Programs funded under this initiative should demonstrate a clear commitment to measurable outcomes in these areas. The funding model has been refined to ensure that resources are distributed effectively, prioritizing collaborative and innovative projects that address systemic challenges. Applicants are expected to outline how their proposed projects align with one or more of these focus areas and how they intend to measure success.

This funding opportunity is particularly focused on organizations that can drive sustainable and high-impact change through data-driven and community-centered approaches. The grant will favor projects that not only serve immediate needs but also create long-term solutions that lead to economic and social mobility. Organizations must also demonstrate the ability to track and report meaningful outcomes, ensuring that investments lead to tangible community improvements. This approach helps the United Way and its partners maximize the effectiveness of their funding while fostering accountability among recipients.

The application process is structured into multiple phases, including a pre-application or Letter of Intent (LOI) stage, full application submission, and review by a panel of volunteer grant evaluators. These reviewers play a critical role in assessing applications objectively, scoring them based on impact potential, feasibility, and alignment with the Community Investment model. Final funding decisions are made by a committee that considers reviewer feedback and ensures that funding is allocated in a manner that reflects the strategic priorities of the initiative. This community-led review process ensures that funding decisions reflect the needs and perspectives of the local population.

To assist applicants, United Way of Greater Chattanooga offers office hours twice a week via Zoom, allowing organizations to seek guidance on the application process. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to utilize various training webinars and resources that outline key changes in the funding process and best practices for application success. These resources help ensure that organizations understand how to present their proposals effectively and maximize their chances of securing funding. Award notifications will be announced in June 2025, and funds will begin to be disbursed starting July 1, 2025.