COMMUNITY GRANTS
Investing in Our Neighborhood
UWNCNM Grant Cycle Information
Cycle opens February 3, 2025- March 14, 2025
United Way of North Central New Mexico tackles systemic problems affecting families and children in our five-county community. We rally community support, provide comprehensive resources and raise funds to increase family stability and educational attainment. When every family and every child has the chance to thrive, our community has a stronger, brighter future
Move Towards Trust-Based Philanthropy
UWNCNM partners with community agencies to address systemic inequities. Trust-based philanthropy is a tangible way to begin putting this intention into action. UWNCNM is excited to continually evaluate and improve our grant-making process as we learn and move towards this new approach.
As we continue to grow in our trust-based philanthropy practices, we appreciate patience as we evolve and value the feedback of our partner agencies. For more information about trust-based philanthropy, please visit trustbasedphilanthropy.org.
Agency Eligibility Requirements
- Certified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Provide health and human services in one or more of these five north central New Mexico counties: Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia.
- Be in good standing with the Attorney General’s office and the New Mexico Secretary of State
- Demonstrate financial sustainability through UWNCNM Financial Standards Review
Types of Awards
Funding Priorities
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. We help neighbors strengthen their resilience by advancing health, youth opportunities and financial security. The Impact Areas of United Way Worldwide help inform the local priorities of UWNCNM.
Overview of Application Process and Timeline
Grant applications will be submitted online through the platform Submittable. Agencies will be required to create a free Submittable account in order to apply. For technical support, please contact Submittable.
Annual Program Grant Process Timeline
Phase 1: Grant Application
January 28th- 9:30 am-10:30 am
February 11th- 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
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February 3rd
Grant Applications open
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March 15th
Grant applications close
Phase 2: Application Review
April
UWNCNM staff and Grant Panels review and score applications. Grant panels are made up of Community Investment Council, donors, volunteers, and members of the community connected to services provided. Panels will engage with agencies during review to follow up on any questions about the application.
Phrase 3: Allocations
May
Community Investment Council recommends grant awards. Using the scoring from Grant Review Panels, the Community Investment Council makes final allocation recommendations to the UWNCNM Board of Directors.
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June 11th
UWNCNM Board approves allocation recommendation, pending successful completion of FSR.
Phase 4: Financial Standards Review (FSR)
Week of June 12th
Agencies selected to proceed are notified and complete the Financial Standards Review (FSR) process. Award is dependent on successful completion of the FSR. Agencies not selected for award will also be notified at this time.
Phase 5: Award
July
Grant payments for new grantees begins August 2025 for July and August, and then monthly thereafter through June 2025.
All grant funds should be expended within the fiscal grant year.
Winning an Award
Agencies selected to progress to the Financial Standards Review (FSR) phase of the grant cycle will be notified in June 2025. Agencies must successfully complete the FSR to be eligible for award.
Payments
The first payment for Impact and Basic Needs grants is made in August 2025 for July and August, and then monthly thereafter through June 2025. Santa Fe grants will be distributed as a one time payment in August 2025.
Payments will be made via ACH.
Collaboration
UWNCNM is committed to creating authentic partnerships with agencies across central New Mexico. Our efforts include funding through multiple grant opportunities, marketing and promotions, referrals to external grant opportunities, advocacy on issues that affect children and families, and invitations to participate in high-visibility events.
In this spirit of building partnerships, we ask funded agencies to collaborate with us by promoting the work of United Way through your communications channels like social media, web sites and newsletters. We ask that you share stories about your agency’s work for use in our communications and development initiatives. We also invite agencies to participate in community conversations around grant making and other important issues.
2025 Grant Applications and Rubrics
For current awardees who have questions, and for all who have questions about our journey and this year’s cycle, please contact Sarah Ehrhart.
For questions specific to Santa Fe county, please reach out to the Santa Fe Area Director Abby Bordner.
Resources
Introduction to grant writing
Centering Equality- What does that mean?
Information on FEMA –> Emergency Food and Shelter Grants
UWNCNM GRANTS
In the 2024 grant cycle, UWNCNM has awarded $1,981,587 in grants to 61 nonprofit agencies as part of its annual Community Investment process, to foster stronger communities and focus on collective impact as an approach to improve family stability and educational attainment. In addition, $125,000 was awarded to 10 nonprofit organizations in Santa Fe County and UWNCNM’s donor groups awarded $315,400 to 9 community agencies.
