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.

Community Investment Grants

Through the new 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.

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.” 

United Way of Horry County has created shared performance measures in partnership with United 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.

2023 Timeline for the 2024 Competitive Grant Funding Cycle

May 4 – Any agency applying for the UWHC 2024 competitive grant funding cycle will be required to attend the RBA training facilitated by Holly Hayes from ISI Consulting. If you cannot attend, virtual training will be available. To view the recording from this session, click here.

May 9 and 11 – Agencies interested in applying are able to attend a webinar on the 2024 Competitive Grant process before applications open. A recording from one of these sessions is available here.

May 22 – June 30 – UWHC 2024 Competitive Grant Applications open: Applications for a one-year grant (January 2024 – December 2024) will be accepted beginning May 22 and ending June 30 at 11:59 pm. Agencies must request an application by answering a few questions before they are able to receive the full application.

May 22 – applications open

June 2 – deadline to request access to full application

June 30 – applications close

Katie will be available for 30-minute meetings with any agency wanting to discuss/review their application before the applications close. You can schedule a time with Katie Monday – Friday between 9 am and 4 pm while the applications are open. To schedule a time to meet, click on this link.

Between July 3 – 7: Completed applications will be sent to VCs for review

Between July 24 – August 4 – VCs will meet to discuss the applications that were reviewed and scored (application scored based on preset scoring criteria) (1-hour meeting)

Between August 1 –  25: VCs will conduct one-hour site visits of applicant agencies that have been reviewed. At the site visit, you will have the opportunity to see investment dollars hard at work and ensure donated dollars are being spent efficiently.  Questions from the review of the application may be asked at site visits in order to decide which programs should receive funding and at what levels. You will also have the chance to re-score the application if needed.

Between September 5 – 15: VCs will meet in person with the UWHC Allocations Chair to make final funding recommendations to be brought to the UWHC Board of Directors meeting on September 21 for final approval (2-hour meeting)

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.

Program Requirements

• The organization has a history of providing services in Horry County for a minimum of three years.
• 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 to be signed off by the Board Chair and two other board members that the information is accurate.
• The organization has proof of adequate liability insurance coverage. It 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.