The 2025 Grant Applications for United Way of South Central Tennessee are now available. All applications are due on March 20 at 11:59 PM.
United Way of South Central Tennessee is excited to now serve seven counties – Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore, Rutherford, and Warren. The 2025 Grant Application for all seven counties are now available. All applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 20 at 11:59 PM CST.
We will host a Grant Information Session for Rutherford and Cannon Counties on Wednesday, February 5 at 3 pm and an Information Session for Bedford, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore and Warren Counties on Thursday, February 6 at 9 am. Both Information Sessions will be held via Zoom. Please find registration links below. We will review the application structure, provide information about funding priorities, and answer any questions about our 2025 application.
The full UW Grant Application timeline is below.
February 4 Grant Application opens
February 5 Informational Meeting for Rutherford and Cannon Counties (View the recording here. Slide deck is available here.)
February 6 Information Session for Bedford, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore and Warren Counties (View the recording here. Slide deck is available here.)
March 6 Deadline to request access to an application for Rutherford and Cannon Counties only. Bedford, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore, and Warren do not need to complete this request and can immediately begin grant application.
March 20 Grant Application closes
Mid-June Award notifications
July 1 Funding cycle begins
Please contact Ella Weaver, ella.weaver@yourlocaluw.org, with questions.
Grant Application Information
Application Now Available
Please complete the Intent to Apply form by March 6 at 4:00 pm. Each program needs a primary point of contact and may also add any additional contacts who want to be able to access the application. For more detailed instructions, please view these Applicant Instructions.
Once the form has been submitted, UW staff will provide access to all requested program/agency contacts within 1-2 business days. Please read these Applicant Instructions prior to logging in and beginning your application!
Several supplementary application documents are linked in the Helpful Links section below, including a PDF of the full application.
Please contact Ella Weaver, ella.weaver@yourlocaluw.org, with questions.
Funding Priorities
Bold Goals 2030: All requests must align to Bold Goals 2030 as well as at least one strategy and tactic and 2-3 shared measurements within the bold goal for which you are applying
Collaborative funding and programs that address a gap in services: The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties Seeks collaborative funding applications to encourage collective problem-solving to address our community's most pressing issues. We believe that by addressing problems collaboratively, we can maximize resources and avoid duplication. This funding structure will encourage partnership, engagement, and help accelerate the mission of United Way, while collectively identifying systemic gaps.
Helpful Links
Frequently Asked Questions for Rutherford and Cannon Counties
Q. When will grant awards be announced?
A. The announcement for grant awards will be made no later than Friday, June 13, 2025. Notifications will be made by an award letter.
Q. Is there a minimum or maximum request that my proposal should reflect?
A. There is not a minimum or maximum request set by United Way. You are essentially putting in your “bid” for funding for being able to offer a program or service that aligns with United Way’s mission and vision at a price point that is determined by your agency. You will want to consider the time and resources involved, not only in the RFP process, but in meeting the expectations of the grant should funding be awarded – participation in collaborative working sessions, reporting, etc. The average grant awarded in 2023 was $24,000.
Q. Is my agency’s mission or service focus eligible for this grant?
A. For Rutherford and Cannon Counties, we welcome proposals that align with any one of our Bold Goals, and specifically the strategies and tactics identified by our community and Vision Councils. In your grant application, you will need to choose one Bold Goal to align with and then may choose multiple strategies and tactics within that Bold Goal area. You will also be asked to describe how your program aligns with and will impact that Bold Goal area. You can review the goals, strategies, and tactics here.
Q. Can we submit more than one proposal?
A. Yes, if you have more than one program or service that aligns with Bold Goals
area/leading indicators or strategies, you may submit more than one proposal. Please note that these would be separate funding relationships and may involve varying time periods for funding, collaborative working sessions, etc.
Q. What types of programs are you looking to fund this year?
A. All proposals that align with one of our Bold Goals will be accepted. For 2025, we have identified two funding priorities for which proposals will earn bonus points in the scoring rubric – collaborative proposals and proposals that address a gap in services. We will prioritize collaborative funding applications to encourage collective problem solving to address our community’s most pressing issues. We believe that by addressing problems collaboratively, we can maximize resources and avoid duplication. This funding structure will encourage partnership, engagement, and help accelerate the mission of United Way, while collectively identifying systemic gaps.
Q. What if my agency receives donor designations through a United Way campaign? Is that separate from the grant awards?
A. Yes, beginning with designations made to UWSCTN on July 1, 2019, donor designations will be considered a “separate stream” and not be related to grant awards made through United Way’s Community Impact Fund. For more information about our donor designation policy, please visit this page of our website.
Grant Information
Applications should be submitted online here. You may view all application questions and requirements here. You may wish to prepare answers in a Word document and then copy and paste them into the Jotform. This single application form will be used for two separate funding opportunities:
- Bedford and Lincoln Counties
- Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties
When completing your application, please note:
- You must clearly indicate which county or counties your proposed project will serve
- Your application will be reviewed through separate funding and decision-making processes based on the counties you select
- Applications may target one or multiple counties from either group
Eligibility Guidelines
- Agencies providing health and human service programs in Bedford, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore, and/or Warren counties
- Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or IRA equivalent to nonprofit status
- Must have two full years of operation before requesting United Way funding
- New or existing programs that align with one of the funding priorities - Education, Income, or Health
Helpful Links
Projected Demographics Template - Bedford and Lincoln Counties
Projected Demographics Template - Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties
Frequently Asked Questions for Bedford/Lincoln and Coffee/Moore/Warren Counties
Q. When will grant awards be announced?
A. The announcement for grant awards will be made no later than Friday, June 13, 2025. Notifications will be made by an award letter.
Q. Is my agency’s mission or service focus eligible for this grant?
A. For Bedford/Lincoln and Coffee/Moore/Warren, we welcome proposals that align with United Way’s overall funding priorities of Education, Income, Health, and Basic Needs.
Q. Can we submit more than one proposal?
A. Yes, if you have more than one program or service that aligns with Bold Goals
area/leading indicators or strategies, you may submit more than one proposal. Please note that these would be separate funding relationships and may involve varying time periods for funding, collaborative working sessions, etc. If you are requesting funds for the same program that operates in Bedford/Lincoln and Coffee/Moore/Warren, you will only need to submit one application, but please specify that you are submitting for both processes.
Q. What if my agency receives donor designations through a United Way campaign? Is that separate from the grant awards?
A. Yes, beginning with designations made to UWSCTN on July 1, 2019, donor designations will be considered a “separate stream” and not be related to grant awards made through United Way’s Community Impact Fund. For more information about our donor designation policy, please visit this page of our website.