United Way of Horry County Grant Funding Opportunities

United Way of Horry County offers two grant funding opportunities: Community Investment Grants (previous allocations process) and a Capacity Building Grant Program.

Competitive Investment Grants

Through the Community Impact Model, United Way of Horry County (UWHC) is addressing the needs of today while diligently working on getting to the root causes of key issues. With the community’s support, we focus on four priority areas:  Health, Education, Self-Sufficiency,and Basic Needs. To see our bold community goals, please see our Community Game Plan.

UWHC depends on our community members to help make important funding decisions by volunteering to serve on one of the five Community Impact Vision Councils (VCs) (Health, Education, Self-Sufficiency, Basic Needs, and Finance). These volunteers help determine how undesignated United Way Annual Campaign donations will be distributed to local agencies and services throughout Horry County to make a lasting impact. The Finance VC is responsible for reviewing all financial documentation for all applicants.

All agencies must choose the Bold Community Goal the program best aligns with.

UWHC will consider requests between $10,000 – $40,000 (requests must be less than 30% of program expenses).

To learn more about the 2025 UWHC Competitive Grants, please review this PowerPoint presentation.

THE 2024/2025 TIMELINE FOR THE 2025 COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING CYCLE

Monday, October 28 – Friday, December 13, 2024 – UWHC 2025 Competitive Grant Applications open: Applications for a one-year grant will be accepted beginning October 28 and ending December 13 at 11:59pm. Agencies must request an application by answering a few questions before they can receive the full application.

October 28 – applications open

November 8 – deadline to request access to the full application

December 13 – applications close

Between December 16 – December 20, 2024: Completed applications will be sent to Vision Councils for review

Agency Year-End Reports are due on Friday, January 17 for current 2024 grantee agencies. Reports will be sent to Vision Councils on Monday, January 20.

Between February 3 – 7, 2025 – Vision Councils will meet virtually to discuss the applications that were reviewed and scored (application scored based on preset scoring criteria)

Between February 10 –  28, 2025: Vision Councils will conduct one-hour site visits of applicant agencies that have been reviewed. Questions from the review of the application and report will be asked at site visits.

Between March 10 – 14, 2025: Vision Councils will meet in person with the UWHC Allocations Chair to make final funding recommendations to be brought to the UWHC Board of Directors meeting for final approval (2-hour meeting)

End of March 2025: Agencies are notified of 2025 grant award

April 2025: Agencies that are awarded funding will receive the first quarter’s payment from January – March and then will receive regular monthly allocation amounts for the rest of 2025

Shared Expectations. Shared Outcomes. Shared Impact

When collected and used effectively, shared outcomes can help supporters work collaboratively with organizations to:

1. Measure and clearly articulate that they are making the difference intended for the people they serve.
2. Implement ongoing quality improvement at the programmatic level; and
3. Inform stakeholders and the community on where and why programming is working or not working and how they are working to improve it.
4. Empower others to advocate on the program’s behalf by having readily available “talking points.” 

UWHC has created shared performance measures in partnership with United Way Worldwide, our four vision councils, and currently funded grantee agencies. You can see the shared performance measures for each pillar below:

Health Shared Performance Measures

Education Shared Performance Measures

Self-Sufficiency Shared Performance Measures

Basic Needs Shared Performance Measures

Each applicant agency is required to choose at least one measurable objective under the pillar of the bold community goal they are applying for. Under the chosen measurable objective, an agency must choose at least one performance measure under each question: 

How much did we do? 

How well did we do it?

Is anyone better off?

UWHC also recognizes that there is never a one-size-fits-all approach, nor is it all-inclusive of the work being done in Horry County. Agencies will be able to create their own additional performance measures to report on if they wish. We welcome feedback from agencies to finetune our shared performance measures.

Funding Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Requirements

• The organization is an incorporated, nonprofit, human service organization under the laws of the state of South Carolina and has tax-exempt status under section 501( c )( 3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and a current fundraising registration (and in good standing) with the State of South Carolina’s Office of the Secretary of State.
• The organization has a Board of Directors of at least five (5) independent, non-compensated members that are active, representative voluntary governing bodies with regular meetings and are responsible for developing its mission, determining its strategic direction, and providing oversight.
• The organization has bylaws that state the purpose of the organization, make provisions for the size of the Board of Directors and provide rules for selection, tenure, number of officers and committees, financial and legal procedures, conflicts of interest, and quorum requirements.
• The Board of Directors meets at least four (4) times a year, operates with a quorum, and records minutes of all meetings.
• The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that sufficient funds are available for the organization to meet its objectives.
• The Board of Directors and staff agree to support United Way of Horry County’s mission statement and participate in the annual charitable-giving campaign, government relations, and communications activities, as requested.
• The organization is in compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other state and federal anti-terrorism laws.
• The organization has a history of providing services in Horry County for a minimum of three years.

Program Requirements

• The program provides services in Horry County.
• Services are provided free of discrimination based on race, national origin, religious belief, military and veteran status, disability, age, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
• The organization’s services align with one or more of United Way of Horry County’s priority impact areas and bold goals (refer to the Community Game Plan)
• The organization has the capacity and mechanisms in place to provide regular reporting of measurable, qualitative, and quantitative outcomes.
• The organization demonstrates reasonable efficiency of program management and adequacy of resources in materials and in personnel (volunteer and paid) to sustain a quality level of service.

Financial Requirements

• An applicant agency with total revenue of $500,000 or greater will be required to have an audit performed by an independent audit firm. An agency with total revenue of $499,999 or less will be required to complete the financial systems questionnaire signed by the Board President and two other members of the board.
• The organization has proof of adequate liability insurance coverage and will indemnify United Way of Horry County, its volunteers, and staff from any and all liability for any damage or injury caused to an employee, client, patron, agency, visitor, or guest of the organization.
• The Board of Directors inspects and approves the annual audit, or review, as well as IRS Form 990.
• The organization maintains a balanced budget or has an agreed-upon plan for meeting all deficits.