Investment Strategy

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Investment Strategy

United Way of Cass-Clay (United Way) makes investments in measureable progress toward increasing access and reducing barriers for underserved, at-risk, and vulnerable individuals to achieve Four BOLD Community Goals:

United Way investments are mainly made through an annual community investment review process for 3-year grant cycles.

Additional funding may be available on a rolling annual basis for:

United Way utilizes a multi-tiered, volunteer-led vetting process that relies on volunteer community investors to make funding recommendations and decisions at each appropriate level.

United Way requires all interested applicants to submit an email with their intent to apply once a Notice of Funds Available has been published for an applicable grant cycle.
All submitted LOIs will be reviewed by the volunteer Community Investment Committee (CIC). Along with reviewing each submitted LOI, the CIC will conduct on-site visits with each organization. (The CIC will invite applicants to submit a full Request for Proposal (RFP) based on eligibility criteria, alignment with United Way’s goals and strategies, and their demonstrated ability to measure performance indicators.)
Once applicants have submitted the RFP, United Way will organize volunteers to conduct a panel review where volunteers review proposals, tour applicants’ facilities, and gain further information and perspective on the specific programming. These volunteers will make an initial funding recommendation based on their review of the proposals utilizing an evaluation rubric to guide scoring of RFPs and the conducted site visits. Following the panel reviews of all submitted RFPs, the CIC will convene to review all individual panel recommendations and make a final funding recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
The process concludes with the Board of Trustees, who makes final funding decisions.

All community partners must meet and provide evidence if requested of the following requirements:

Requested funding will be used to serve residents of Cass County, North Dakota, and Clay County, Minnesota. Applicants who serve a larger geographic area (i.e. statewide) may apply but must ensure that funding will support activities in these two counties.
Maintain eligibility as a public agency, including Indian tribes and nonprofit private organizations, both secular and faith-based, which serve individuals in Cass County, North Dakota, and Clay County, Minnesota. This requires that private nonprofit organizations obtain and maintain a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Be incorporated or chartered under appropriate local, state, or federal statutes.
Abide by federal and state laws regarding anti-discrimination, equal opportunity, affirmative action, and anti-terrorism.
Have an active, locally based, volunteer board of directors that meets regularly, makes policy decisions, and holds election of officers.
Have an administrative structure with defined lines of responsibility, a mission statement, and bylaws.
Be financially stable and able to ensure appropriate stewardship of the funds entrusted, perform a regular budgeting process, and be able to submit audited financial statements and/or IRS Form 990.
Be willing to cooperate with collaborative partners and other organizations to meet collective goals and create measurable, lasting change for individuals in our community.
Have current license, certification, and permits if applicable.
Be able to demonstrate effectiveness of programs and services through measurable outcomes.

All Community Partners receiving a 3-year grant under one of our four BOLD Community Goals must submit reporting on a semi-annual basis. These reports include, but are not limited to, shared performance measures, program outcome reports, client demographics, and impact stories.

For more information on shared performance measures, see:

All Community Partners receiving funding under a Community Sponsorship or Emerging Initiatives Funding must submit a post-funding report describing impact of funded program or event.

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