$2M Invested In Small Nonprofits Serving Marginalized Communities

Nonprofit Catalyst Grant – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the grant—how can it be used? The grants have been intended to support capacity-building strategies that support the long-term success of the organization, across several organizational domains:  governance, financial accountability, technology, communications, program development and evaluation, fundraising, leadership development, and strategic planning.  Funds can be used to cover staffing expenses, consultant contracts, professional services, small capital expenditures, and organizational operating expenses aligned with the capacity-building goals of the funding proposal. 

How can an organization seek a grant from the fund?  The fund is not currently seeking applications, but is hoping to expand funding capacity in the future.  

What is the amount of funding that grantees will receive? Successful applicants have previously received a nonrecurring grant ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, and generally not to exceed 20% of an organization’s operating budget and based upon the specific need outlined in the applicant’s funding application. 

What types of organizations are the focus of the fund? The intended beneficiaries of this fund have been small 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that primarily serve historically marginalized communities.  Eligible organizations have been those with a mission that aligns with one or more of the following human service domains:  education, youth development, human services, community development, and those that have economic mobility, entrepreneurship support, and/or workforce skill building as a primary goal.   

What is the geographic focus of the fund? This grant opportunity has been for organizations within the six-county Kansas City metro area (Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas). 

How is “small nonprofit” defined for the purpose of this initiative? This fund has been intended to advance the progress of established organizations with an established track record of serving the community (for at least one year), and that have an annual operating budget between $25,000 and $500,000.  In assessing the budget size eligibility, United Way has considered the organization’s financial statements as reflected in the IRS Form 990, or a year-end financial statement or budget provided for review by the applicant organization. In addition, applicants must have at least one paid staff person who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization (who may be in full-time, part-time or contract role). 

How does United Way define “marginalized communities” for the purpose of this grant? A priority focus of this initiative has been the investment in the capacity of organizations that are founded by or led by leaders from historically marginalized communities, either at the staff or board level (i.e.: Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer or President, majority of board members or executive staff, etc.).  Other organizations whose mission is focused on addressing the effects of inequality and who predominantly serve these communities (as demonstrated by demographic service delivery data) have also candidates for this grant opportunity. Organizations that are not led by individuals from marginalized communities will be asked to share how their program design and service delivery approaches are informed by input from leaders within the communities they serve or of those in the community with lived experience valuable to program design and delivery. Examples of historically marginalized communities may include but are not limited to: Black/African American communities, Indigenous Peoples, Latino/Hispanic communities, Asian/Pacific Islander communities, LGBTQ+ communities, Persons with Disabilities, Immigrant and Refugee Communities, Religious Minorities, Low-Income/Disinvested Communities, Women & Gender Diverse People. 

What is the timeframe of this grant opportunity? Grants have been intended to provide a one-time investment to support work that takes place over a limited timeframe, generally one year.  However, the time period over which grants are used is flexible and applicants will be asked to define the grant period at the time of application.  This period may be adjusted after the grant is awarded, based on the grantee’s progress accomplishing the specific goals outlined in the application.