CATALYST FUND

Guidelines

United Way of the Mid-South (UWMS) is interested in catalyzing new, innovative, research-informed and partnership-focused solutions that will improve the lives of Mid-Southerners.

The UWMS Catalyst Fund supports promising strategies for social impact, with priority given to those efforts led by a non-profit agency in collaboration with other non-profits or organizational entities. Funded initiatives will:

strategically align investments and efforts;
implement successful, promising, and/or innovative solutions in one or more of the areas of education, health improvement or financial stability/poverty reduction;
focus on long-term solutions addressing important community issues.

FUNDING LEVEL

Grants will range from $20,000-$100,000
Grants are for one year and are considered one-time funding
Successful initiatives may reapply for continued funding for one additional year

ELIGIBILITY

Proposals will be accepted from:

a non-profit, 501(c)(3) entity which will lead the partnership, and take fiscal responsibility for United Way funds
organizations and partnerships within the United Way of the Mid-South service area including Fayette, Lauderdale, Tipton, Shelby Counties in TN; Crittenden County, AR; DeSoto, Tate, Tunica Counties in MS

GUIDELINES

Successful applications will demonstrate:

alignment with UWMS’ mission;
focus on a significant problem or opportunity in the region;
significant potential to positively impact the community;
capacity and leadership necessary to complete the proposed activity; and
a plan for sustainability, where applicable.

Collaborative partnerships will be given priority for funding. Successful collaboratives have developed or will be developing:

a shared vision for change;
a shared measurement system;
a coordinated plan to achieve impact through a collaborative plan of action.

Priority will be given to proposals that are focused on strategies to reduce poverty in the Mid-South.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Letters of Interest will be accepted on August 15 and January 15 and may be sent to:

Diana Bedwell, Director, Community Impact, Diana.Bedwell@uwmidsouth.org

Candidates selected by the Catalyst Fund Committee of the UWMS Board will be invited to submit a full application.

Letters of Interest should be no more than 2 pages and include the following:

Purpose of collaborative effort and/or innovative strategy
Brief overview of the plan of action which United Way of the Mid-South is being asked to support
Specific use of UWMS funds
Anticipated outcomes
Collaborative members
Signed commitment by the non-profit, 501(c)(3) entity which will take fiscal responsibility for UWMS funds
Contact information for primary point person

CONDITIONS for FUNDING

Agencies seeking new or continued funding through United Way of the Mid-South (United Way) are expected to comply with the following conditions:

Be incorporated, not-for-profit, tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, and meet all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
Provide health or human services based on documented needs to an identifiable population and/or geographic area within the service area of United Way – specifically Shelby County, Tennessee.
Be non-discriminatory and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Have an active, rotating, volunteer leadership that represents diverse elements of the community.
Have written policies regarding conflicts of interest for board members and employees.
Have sound program and financial management.
Apply annually to United Way for funding unless otherwise agreed.
Coordinate agency fund raising activities with United Way.
Support, cooperate and identify with United Way.