United WAY fundING

Community Investment Process

Our United Way of the Piedmont Community Investment 2026-2028 funding process opens March 3, 2025. Read below for more details.


View a list of our 2023-2025 funded programs here.

Timeline

February 2025 | Info sessions

Attend one of our two options for a virtual agency informational session on Zoom:


  • Tuesday, February 18 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM
  • Thursday, February 20 from 10:00 - 11:30 AM


*If you were unable to attend either of these sessions, watch the video recording here.

March - April 2025 | Letters of intent

We will be accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) beginning on March 3, 2025. LOIs are due by 5 PM on March 28, 2025 and must be submitted in the United Way of the Piedmont grant portal. 


Agencies will be notified of their status and invitation to apply for funding in early May 2025. 

June 2025 | Applications

Agencies that submitted an LOI and are invited to continue in process must submit their full application.


View the Program Application Manual.

July - September 2025 | Site Visits

Agencies that have submitted their full applications will have a scheduled site visit.

September - December 2025 | Q&A Sessions, Funding decisions

Q&A sessions and funding decisions are made. Funding decisions for 2026-2028 are made by the end of December and announced. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What does United Way of the Piedmont fund?

    We fund nonprofit programs in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties that have impact in the priority areas included in our Community Impact Agenda.  

  • Do I have to submit separate Letters of Intent for different programs?

    Yes. Your organization must submit separate Letters of Intent and applications for different programs for which are you seeking funding.


    Organizations can submit applications for multiple programs in the same or different priority areas. Each program is evaluated separately.

  • What information needs to be included in our Letter of Intent?

    Letters of Intent must be submitted online through our grant portal​ and must include:

    • Organization Information (EIN, Organization history, mission statement, leadership)
    • Program Name​
    • County​
    • Priority Area​
    • Intended result​
    • Estimated Request Amount​
    • Brief overview of mission/objective of program​
    • Overall organizational budget​
    • Organization Self-Assessment about organizational health ​
    • Patriot Act Compliance Form

  • Is there a minimum or maximum amount of funding that can be received?

    In Spartanburg County, the minimum investment is $15,000 per program per year. The maximum investment in Basic Needs and Safe Environments in $25,000 per program per year. There is no maximum investment in Economic Mobility, Education, or Health.


    There are no minimums or maximums for programs in Cherokee and Union Counties.


    United Way of the Piedmont cannot cover 100% of the cost of the program or be the sole funding source for the program.

  • What can funds be used for?

    Funds can be used for any expenses related to operating the program, including salaries.

  • Can United Way fund faith-based programs?

    United Way of the Piedmont can fund faith-based organizations, however our funds cannot be used for any programming or services that require clients to participate in a religious activity in order to receive the service/program. Any religious components of the programming must be completely voluntary.

  • How long are grant awards for?

    Grant awards are for 12 months (January - December).


    However, grant funding contracts will be for 3 years (2026-2028).

  • What are the reporting requirements?

    Annual Progress Reports will be due in the fall of each year. At least one site visit will also be conducted during the 3-year period.

Community Impact Agenda

All program funding decisions are made based on our funding priorities, outlined in our Community Impact Agenda.

VIEW AGENDA

GRANT PORTAL

Click the button below to access United Way of the Piedmont's grant portal. Click here to view instructions for accessing the portal.

ACCESS PORTAL