Welcome to the 2024 Community Impact Grant FAQ Page. On this page, you'll be able to submit questions for grant support, review common definitions, see examples of outcomes & indicators and more.
Please bookmark this page, as this is where you will find questions posted with the answers.
Grant Guidance Support
In 2024, UWFC staff will be providing questions regarding grant guidelines via written format. Questions and answers will be posted on the website for all applicants to review. We are unable to answer questions specific to your organization or budget. This does not apply to technical support.
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Questions Submitted By: |
Posted Answers On or Before: |
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Monday, July 29th |
Wednesday, July 31st |
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Friday, August 2nd |
Wednesday, August 7th |
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Friday, August 23rd |
Wednesday, August 28th |
Staff will post questions and answers as time allows. The dates above are final deadlines, so check back often for updates.
UPDATE: All questions have been submitted and posted. You may submit a question via the form until the close of the grant, and staff will post answers as time and capacity allows--but we cannot grantee answers before the close of the grant application period. This does not include technical support.
Please submit your question via the form below.
Updated: 8/29/2024
Updated: 8/29/2024
Question:
The application states that reimbursement grants are given higher priority. I wanted to clarify whether selecting the reimbursement option would mean we’re asking for funds to cover services that we’ve already provided within the 2024 expenditure period (January 1 to December 31, 2024), regardless of when the grant funds are disbursed.
Response:
Yes, you’re asking for funds to cover services that you’ve already provided within the 2024 expenditure period. Given that this grant cycle is in Q3 of 2024, it is likely that many applicants will be able to submit a detailed invoice for Q1 & Q2 and max out their grant award. These awards will be reimbursed as outlined in the award letter, but could be as early as October 2024, completing the full grant cycle, including grant reporting. These specific details would be outlined in the award letter.
Question:
Additionally, could you confirm that the intention is to fund activities and expenses incurred during the 2024 calendar year, even if the grant funds are received at the end of the year?
Response:
Yes, the intention and preference is to fund program expenditures incurred during the 2024 calendar year. Occasionally, there are programs that are requesting funds for a specific project that would overlap into 2025 by a matter of weeks. A previous example is of a program that was hosting a recruitment event. The planning and budget and preparation occurred in the 2022 program year, but the actual event took place in early January 2023 due to the holiday season and difficulty around scheduling a venue. This was approved, and the timeline was adjusted. This “grace period” of a timeline is approved ahead of time and is only for a matter of weeks.
Question:
Should all uploaded files be dated 2024?
Should the applying agency name be next followed by what the file is?
Response:
We consider this a technical support question, but we're including it here for everyone to access!
Yes, please date all uploaded files as 2024. We are sorry for the oversight in not updating the year for the naming conventions of the files. Applicants are not penalized for not doing so. These naming conventions help us ensure we are attaching the correct file to the correct agency/program. We appreciate the efforts of the applicant to adhere to this to the best of their ability.
The naming conventions for each file are correct except for the year. For program specific documents, we ask you use the program name. For overall agency documents, we ask you use the agency name.
SHARED EXPECTATIONS. SHARED OUTCOMES. SHARED IMPACT.
When collected and used effectively, shared outcomes can help supporters work collaboratively with organizations to:
- Measure and clearly articulate that they are making the difference intended for the people they serve.
- Implement ongoing quality improvement at the programmatic level; and
- Inform stakeholders and the community on where and why programming is working or not working and how they are working to improve it.
- Empower others to advocate on the program's behalf by having readily available "talking points."
At the end of this page, you will see expanding sections for the areas of Health, Education & Financial Stability.While agencies are encouraged to use the following Shared Outcomes when requesting funding, United Way also recognizes that there is never a one-size fits all approach, nor is it all inclusive of the work being done in Freeborn County. Agencies are invited to use the following Indicators to help write their own Program Outcomes & Indicators for the 2024 Grant Cycle if there is one that does not accurately reflect your program's work.
Please note: the application does ask for the primary Impact area, chosen outcomes & indicators should align with this impact area chosen.
Definitions:
Agency/Organization/Nonprofit:
For the purposes of this United Way, these three terms are used interchangeably to define a collective group that is tax exempt and eligible for funding that has a defined community benefit in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Stability in Freeborn County.
Program:
Organized activities and actions that utilize resources to produce desired outcomes. Programs exist within an organization. United Way funds programs, and not agencies as a whole.
Outcomes:
These are benefits or changes for individuals or populations during or after participating in program activities. They are influenced by a program’s outputs. Outcomes may relate to knowledge, attitudes, values, skills, behavior, condition or other attributes. They are what participants know, think or can do; or how they behave; or what their condition is, that is different following the program. This could include Targets or Objectives for a program's level of achievement.
[What are your GOALS for the program?]
Indicators:
The specific items of data that are tracked to measure how well a program is achieving an outcome. This does not have a specific measurement at the start of the program, it is defining what will be measured.
[What are you going to MEASURE to show the accomplishments of your goals/outcomes?]
Example:
For example, in a youth development program that creates internship opportunities for high school youth, an outcome might be that participants develop expanded views of their career options. An indicator of how well the program is succeeding on this outcome could be the number and percent of participants who list more careers of interest to them at the end of the program than they did at the beginning of the program.
Agency/Organization/Nonprofit:
For the purposes of this United Way, these three terms are used interchangeably to define a collective group that is tax exempt and eligible for funding that has a defined community benefit in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Stability in Freeborn County.
Program:
Organized activities and actions that utilize resources to produce desired outcomes. Programs exist within an organization. United Way funds programs, and not agencies as a whole. Agencies that run a single program must be able to separate the program from the work of the agency.
Indicators:
The specific items of data that are tracked to measure how well a program is achieving an outcome. This does not have a specific measurement at the start of the program, it is defining what will be measured.
Targets:
Objectives for a program’s level of achievement.
Outputs:
The direct products of program operation and usually are measured in terms of the volume of work accomplished—for example, the numbers of classes taught, counseling sessions conducted, educational materials distributed, and participants served. Outputs have little inherent value in themselves. They are important because they are intended to lead to a desired benefit for participants or target populations.
Outcomes:
The benefits or changes for individuals or populations during or after participating in program activities. They are influenced by a program’s outputs. Outcomes may relate to knowledge, attitudes, values, skills, behavior, condition or other attributes. They are what participants know, think or can do; or how they behave; or what their condition is, that is different following the program.
For example, in a youth development program that creates internship opportunities for high school youth, an outcome might be that participants develop expanded views of their career options. An indicator of how well the program is succeeding on this outcome could be the number and percent of participants who list more careers of interest to them at the end of the program than they did at the beginning of the program. A target might be that 40 percent of participants list at least two more careers after completing the program than they did when they started it.
Income Definitions:
Other UW refers to any United Way funding you receive through designations through our workplace campaigns. It is not the same as grant money you receive from UWFC. UWFC Grant funding should not be included in your program budget.
Earned Income is generated by providing services or goods. Examples could include fees paid by participants, fundraising sales, renting out space, etc.
In-Kind Donations are donations that your programs receive that they otherwise would have paid out of pocket. For example, if you plan to rent a space for a meeting, but the venue allows you to rent for free, the in-kind donation is the value of the space.
This category is not listed on the Program Budget because In-Kind Donations do not count towards the 50%. However, if you would like to include information in your Budget Narrative, you may.
Expenses:
Direct Services Personnel includes the wages and benefits of the individuals who do the on-the-ground work with program participants.
Grants to Individuals account for money that 'passes through' your organization to program participants. Examples could be the money that was paid out as rent assistance, the portion of the participation fee that was paid by your agency, tuition scholarships to students, etc.
Contract Services are those instances in which you pay another agency or company for services. Common examples are consultants, researchers, legal and accounting services, or office equipment maintenance.
Program Supplies are those supplies needed by the program, such as books, art supplies, sports equipment, etc. that are used by program participants and staff.
Advertising and Promotion can include the cost of social media advertisements, newspaper listings, billboards, radio spots, and TV commercials.
Office Expenses is the expense of a physical space for the program. Also included are supplies such as paper, pens, paper clips, and so on. It is common for these expenses not to be purchased by the program, but by the agency. Your program's office expenses may be calculated as a certain percentage of your agency's office expenses, as long as the organizational and program budget line up.
Information Technology can include IT support, software subscriptions and technology purchases. Must be a percentage applied to the program only, not for the agency as a whole.
Travel/Mileage is the amount reimbursed to employees for travel outside of their normal commute, as established by the IRS annually. It can also cover the costs of hotels, car rental, fuel for rental vehicles, and airplane tickets.
Administration/Overhead are expenses for your overall operations and management - for example, costs of meetings and centralized services such as office management and human resources. Must be a percentage applied to the program only, not for the agency as a whole.
Technical Grant Support
Support for the grant application process is handled in two ways: clarification on the grant questions and technical support.
All applicants are highly encouraged to log in and review the grant materials within the first two weeks of the grant cycle.
- It is best practice to answer your questions in a word document to ensure work is not lost due to technical issues. You may then copy and paste your answers into the grant form itself.
- Technical assistance will be provided via virtual office hours each Friday from 2:00-3:00 starting August 2nd
- No phone calls will be accepted for grant or technical support. An email may be sent requesting a phone call if necessary to uwfc@unitedwayfc.org but should only be utilized as a last resort.
INDICATORS
Direct Supports and Services
# of children served (0-5) enrolled in high-quality early childhood programs
# of children served receiving literacy supports in grades K-3
# of families, caregivers served that are provided with information, resources, tools, trainings and/or teaching skills
Systems Improvement
# of policies promoted, enacted or modified to promote childhood success
# of community partners organized, led, and/or managed by your program
# of early childhood staff trained to provide quality programs, services
OUTCOMES
% of children (0-5) served who achieve developmental milestones
% of children served who are proficient on school readiness assessments by the end of their kindergarten year
% of children (K-3) served reading at grade level
% of children (K-3) served who maintain satisfactory or improve school attendance
INDICATORS
Direct Supports and Services
# of elementary/middle/high school youth served who participate in school and/or community-based out-of-school time programs and/or receive individualized supports
# of youth served who receive job skills training
Systems Improvement
# of policies promoted, enacted, or modified to promote educational success
# of community partners organized, led, and/or managed by your program
# of youth development staff trained to provide quality programs, services
OUTCOMES
% of youth served who graduate high school on time
% of youth served who gain post-secondary employment, further education or credential
# of youth served (15-24) who gain employment
% of middle/high school youth served who earn passing grades in core subject areas
% of elementary/middle/high school youth served who maintain satisfactory or improve school attendance
% of middle/high school youth served who develop soft skills
% of youth served who transition from middle to high school on time
INDICATORS
Direct Supports and Services
# of individuals served participating in physical activity and/or healthy food access/nutrition programs
# of individuals served with access to healthcare services and supports
# of individuals served with access to healthcare insurance
Systems Improvement
# of policies promoted, enacted or modified to promote health
# of community partners organized, led, and/or managed by your program
# of health sector staff trained to deliver quality services
OUTCOMES
% of children/adults served who eat healthier, increase their physical activity, and/or move towards a healthy weight
% of babies served who experience healthy birth outcomes (e.g. celebrate their 1st birthday, carried to full term, and/or born at a healthy weight)
% of youth/adults served who avoid or reduce risk-taking behaviors
% of mothers served who access prenatal care
INDICATORS
Direct Supports and Services
# of individuals served participating in physical activity and/or healthy food access/nutrition programs
# of individuals served with access to healthcare services and supports
# of individuals served with access to healthcare insurance
Systems Improvement
# of policies promoted, enacted or modified to promote health
# of community partners organized, led, and/or managed by your program
# of health sector staff trained to deliver quality services
OUTCOMES
% of children/adults served who eat healthier, increase their physical activity, and/or move towards a healthy weight
% of babies served who experience healthy birth outcomes (e.g. celebrate their 1st birthday, carried to full term, and/or born at a healthy weight)
% of youth/adults served who avoid or reduce risk-taking behaviors
% of mothers served who access prenatal care