COMMUNITY NEEDS GRANTS

United Way of Paducah-McCracken County supports 13 core Partner Agencies, but we also provide Community Needs Grants to many non-profits in Paducah and McCracken County that are not Partner Agencies.  Any 501(c)3 agency providing health and human services can apply for this funding.  All applications must fall within one of our focus areas to be considered for funding.

Deadlines- May 31st, August 31st, and November 30th.  All applications must be received by 5pm.  We will make every effort to inform all applicants of decisions within two weeks of the deadline.

• The August 31st round of funding must be a collaborative grant, which requires at least two agencies to collaborate on the request.
  
  

The Community Needs Grant funds programs in our community who are seeking to do one of the following:

•  Develop a new program to meet an emerging need or a new need in our community.  These funds will not be given to agencies that already have a program up and running, and are looking for funds to sustain the already existing program.   Programs that do receive funding for a new program may request funding up to three times for the same program, but funding is not guaranteed. The agency will have to show that they met their goals each time they ask for additional funding.  It is our hope and expectation that the Community Needs Grant will be used as seed money for the program and will allow the program to seek out alternative forms of support.
  
  
  
• Expand an already existing program.  This is a onetime grant opportunity to help a program expand their already successful program. 
  
  

A few things to remember:

• The Community Needs Committee has a limited amount of funds that they can allocate to our community.  Even if your application meets all the criteria, the committee may not have the funding to meet all requests.  This does not mean the request was not worthwhile and we encourage you to reapply.
  
  
  
• The committee has to make the best decision they can with what information you give to them.  Remember that if the committee has to decide between two applications: one that gives plenty of detail on how all the money requested will be used and leaves no question as to how a program will be implemented and another application that gives limited information,  the committee is going to go with the clear and detailed application. 
  
  
  
• The committee is looking for ways that your request will ultimately have an impact on the people you serve and our community.  Please make sure that whether it is a new program or an expansion you clearly explain how these funds will have an impact on the people you serve.
  
  
  
• Please supply a detailed budget.  If you are requesting money for a program.  We must see a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be used.  The more budget detail the better. If the committee has to guess on how you are going to spend the money, it is not going to be funded.