APPLY FOR FUNDING

How to apply for funding

United Way has a number of funding streams available to support the Niagara community.
These funding streams include:

In light of the many challenges our community is facing, United Way Niagara will be undergoing a community investment review process over the course of the next year. During this time, no new requests will take place within our Annual Stream of funding. All current Annual Stream funding commitments will be maintained. The goal of the process review is to ensure that United Way Niagara’s financial investments have the greatest possible impact in helping to build better communities, improve the lives of those who are vulnerable and marginalized, and support sustainable solutions to address the underlying causes of community issues.

The review process will involve engagement and consultations with community partners, Niagara residents, volunteers, and donors. Throughout this process, we hope to learn more about emerging and unmet needs in our community and how we can most effectively work together to address those needs.

If you have any questions, please contact Tamara Coleman-Lawrie at [email protected].

United Way Niagara is pleased to offer a 2023 Food Support Grant to provide immediate relief to community partners working in food security that are struggling due to increased demand, coupled with the rise in food prices.

The Food Support Grant is a funding opportunity available to solely support the purchase of food for any registered charity delivering food security initiatives in Niagara.

Registered charities that are experiencing and/or anticipating a budget shortfall to purchase food for food related programs and services are encouraged to complete the Food Support Grant application.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

Funds will be distributed to successful applicants in October 2023.

To be eligible for the Food Support Grant Program, organizations must meet all seven (7) of the eligibility criteria, as follows:

  1. Be a registered charity; and
  2. Be experiencing and/or anticipating a food program budget shortfall to purchase food to meet the needs of the community; and
  3. Have less than six months of operational reserves available (or an explanation); and
  4. Be able to provide audited financial statements or a review engagement report; and
  5. Agree to recognize United Way Niagara for the grant; and
  6. Agree to use the grant funds solely toward the purchase of food; and
  7. Agree to report back on the Food Support Grant Form (provided by United Way) describing the use of the grant.

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If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Tamara Coleman-Lawrie at United Way at [email protected] or at 905-688-5050, Ext. 2109.

The Seniors’ Health & Well-Being Fund provides grants up to a total of $500 per person per calendar year. This fund is for low-income seniors above the age of 55 who are faced with health, medical and/or well-being challenges in the Niagara region.

Please note: As of April 1, 2023, The Seniors’ Health & Well-Being Fund will be administered through Community Support Services of Niagara

For more information and to apply click the link below or call Fran Moar (905) 682-3800 ext. 704

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The Seniors’ Health & Well-Being Fund is available through the generous legacy of Clara Crawford and the David S. Howes Fund at the Niagara Community Foundation (from 2020-2022).

United Way Niagara gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Niagara Community Foundation. The Foundation builds permanently endowed charitable funds and provides grants to eligible charitable organizations in culture, health, education, environment, recreation and social service sectors.

In partnership with The Branscombe Family Foundation, United Way Niagara is pleased to offer non-profit and charitable organizations access to Special Projects/Emergency funding to address community issues across Niagara. Registered charities or collaboratives working with registered charities are eligible to receive a Special Projects/Emergency Fund grant once per calendar year and are not guaranteed to receive funding every calendar year.

The goal of the Special Projects/Emergency Fund is to provide funding for an emergency situation, for an innovative new project, for a new pilot or project addressing emerging community needs on a short-term basis, for up to one year. This funding is separate from United Way’s annual grants program.

The fund focuses on projects that directly impact vulnerable populations and improve equitable access to supports that improve lives, while not duplicating existing support services/programs.

Proposals may be for one-time projects or for programs which require seed money and/or a trial program period of funding. There is no guarantee of future funding beyond the initial Special Projects/Emergency Fund grant.

Grants will range to a maximum of $15,000 and will be available four times during the 2023 year according to the following deadlines:

  • March 1st
  • May 1st
  • August 1st
  • November 1st

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for funding, an organization must:

  • Deliver the proposed project to the citizens of the Niagara region
  • Agree to use the funds only for the approved project
  • Complete the project within one year from the time of funding
  • Provide a financial and outcomes report upon completion of the project

If you have any questions, please contact Shoneez Smith at [email protected].

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Click here to view all Open Calls for Funding and to start an application.

If you are looking to apply to the Niagara Region’s Niagara Prosperity Initiative, please visit their website for all relevant Initiative information and how to submit a proposal.