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United Way Of Central Ohio Inc

Annual Giving
$13.6M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13.6 million in grants (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (application to decision)
  • Grant Range: Variable by program
  • Geographic Focus: Franklin County, Union County, and Pickaway County, Ohio
  • Application Process: Invitation-only for existing partners

Contact Details

Address: 215 N. Front Street, Suite 600, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-5835 or (614) 227-2700
Website: www.liveunitedcentralohio.org
Fax: (614) 227-8741

For Program Investment Questions: Anthony Ward at [email protected]

Overview

United Way of Central Ohio (EIN: 31-4393712) is one of the larger United Way organizations in the country, founded to mobilize community resources to reduce poverty in Central Ohio. In 2023, the organization distributed $13.6 million across 228 awards. With annual revenue of approximately $35 million and administrative costs at only 16% of total net revenues, the organization demonstrates strong fiscal accountability. In 2000, they adopted the name "United Way of Central Ohio" to reflect their expanding service area, which now includes Franklin County, Union County (affiliated in 2021), and Pickaway County (added in 2022). The organization partners with 68-75 local nonprofit organizations through its signature "Success by Third Grade" initiative, which aims to put every child in Franklin County on a pathway to success by third grade and reduce the 30-point proficiency gap between participating and non-participating school districts in half by 2035. Under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Lisa S. Courtice, who previously spent 13 years leading community research and grants management at The Columbus Foundation, United Way has made significant strides in advancing racial equity, with 40% of funded organizations now led by people of color.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of Central Ohio operates an annual program investment cycle focused on "Success by Third Grade":

  • 2025-2026 Program Investment: Over $5 million distributed to 68 nonprofits running 88 high-impact programs (July 2025 - June 2026)
  • 2024-2025 Program Investment: Over $5.3 million distributed to 75 nonprofits and 96 programs
  • Individual Grant Amounts: Varies by organization (example: Action for Children received $160,000 in 2025)
  • COVID-19 Response Grants (historical): Ranged from $3,200 to $50,000

Application Method: Invitation-only, closed competitive process through e-CImpact portal with fixed annual deadlines

Priority Areas

United Way focuses on two critical areas through the "Success by Third Grade" initiative:

  1. Basic Needs: Ensuring families have stable home environments and access to essential resources
  2. Student Success: Supporting children to be present, safe, and supported at school

The current funding cycle focuses on three interconnected areas:

  • Ensuring children are safe and supported at school
  • Promoting home and family stability
  • Enhancing child well-being (helping children feel included and believe in themselves)

Key Focus: Reading proficiency by third grade, recognizing that third grade marks when "children stop learning to read and begin reading to learn"

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly documented in public materials, the organization's funding is tightly focused on:

  • Programs that align with Success by Third Grade outcomes
  • Organizations serving Franklin, Union, and Pickaway counties
  • Nonprofits that can demonstrate measurable impact on children and families

Funding is not available for programs outside these priority areas or geographic service area.

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

Dr. Lisa S. Courtice, Ph.D. is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience leading nonprofit programs and services. Prior to joining United Way, she served 13 years as Executive Vice President and leader of community research and grants management at The Columbus Foundation (the seventh largest community foundation in the country).

Quote on Funding Priorities: "We believe it's important to acknowledge and support nonprofits that yield results and promote racial equity from within. As a result, 40% of our grant recipient organizations are led by people of color, and 38 organizations are first-time grant recipients of program funding."

Dr. Courtice has advocated for donors to "prioritize multi-year funding, provide general operating grants, maximize annual DAF payouts, include community voices, and invest in systemic change."

Board of Trustees

Chair: Robert Tannous, Managing Partner at Porter Wright
Immediate Past Chair: Dan Crane, Senior Vice President of Crane Group

Recent Board Members include:

  • Laura Arenschield, Vice President, Customer Experience, AEP Ohio
  • Dr. Seleshi Asfaw Ayalew, President and CEO, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services
  • Robert Heidorn, President and COO, Columbia Gas of Ohio

The board represents diverse sectors including banking, utilities, healthcare, education, and community services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of Central Ohio does not have an open public application process. The 2025-2026 investment funding is a closed and competitive process, conducted by invitation only to nonprofits currently receiving 2024-2025 funding.

For Current Partners:

  • Applications accessed through the e-CImpact online portal
  • Must create an account using organization's EIN
  • All applications must align with UWCO's community results, related strategies, and performance measures

Recent Timeline (2025-2026 cycle):

  • Applications available in e-CImpact: December 20, 2024
  • Submission deadline: January 31, 2025
  • Site visits: February - March 2025
  • Funding decisions: Spring 2025
  • Funding cycle: July 2025 - June 2026

Decision Timeline

Approximately 2-3 months from application submission to decision announcement. The review process includes:

  • Rigorous evaluation by diverse panel of reviewers
  • United Way staff review
  • Assessment by 121+ community volunteers
  • Site visits for all applicants

Success Rates

2024-2025 Cycle: 75 nonprofits funded out of pool of current partners (specific success rate not disclosed)

Notable Outcomes:

  • 34 of 75 funded nonprofits led by people of color (45%)
  • 38 organizations were first-time grant recipients
  • Selection process reflects demographics of Franklin County

Reapplication Policy

Currently funded partners are invited to reapply annually. Organizations not currently in the funding portfolio cannot submit unsolicited applications. The organization occasionally opens applications to new partners when expanding program areas or addressing identified community gaps.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way of Central Ohio's documented priorities and leadership statements, successful applicants demonstrate:

  1. Measurable Impact on Success by Third Grade: Programs must directly contribute to ensuring children are on a pathway to success by third grade, with clear outcomes in reading proficiency, school attendance, safety, or home stability.

  2. Data Collection and Disaggregated Data: Organizations must collect and report disaggregated data to support equity analysis. This requirement reflects United Way's commitment to understanding differential impacts across racial and demographic groups.

  3. Board Diversity: Funded agencies must have boards that reflect county demographics. United Way created a policy requiring boards to meet this standard by 2025. Organizations should have plans for achieving and maintaining diverse board composition.

  4. Racial Equity and Results: As Dr. Courtice stated, United Way prioritizes nonprofits that "yield results and promote racial equity from within." Organizations led by people of color and those demonstrating commitment to equity have been prioritized.

  5. Alignment with Community Results: All applications must align with United Way's specific community results, strategies, and performance measures. Programs should demonstrate how they fit within the broader Success by Third Grade framework.

  6. Proven Track Record: The invitation-only model means United Way prioritizes organizations with demonstrated effectiveness. New partners typically enter through exceptional performance or filling critical gaps.

  7. Collaborative Approach: Organizations that work effectively with other community partners, school districts, and United Way's network are valued. The model emphasizes alignment of resources across the community.

Examples of Funded Programs:

  • Action for Children (2025 investment: $160,000): Works to transform children's lives during their first 2,000 days by supporting parents, caregivers, and teachers
  • Charity Newsies: Provides brand new clothing ($150 value per child) to children K-12 in Franklin County who lack adequate clothing for school

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only funding: United Way of Central Ohio does not accept unsolicited applications. Only current funding partners are invited to apply each cycle. Organizations seeking funding should focus on building relationships and demonstrating community impact outside the formal application process.

  • Success by Third Grade is the filter: Every program must directly contribute to ensuring children reach third grade ready to succeed. Programs addressing basic needs, school readiness, family stability, or child well-being within this framework have the strongest alignment.

  • Diversity and equity are non-negotiable: Organizations must collect disaggregated data and demonstrate board diversity that reflects county demographics. Leadership by people of color is explicitly valued, with 40% of funded organizations meeting this criterion.

  • Data-driven decision making: United Way emphasizes measurable outcomes and performance measures. Applications must demonstrate clear methods for tracking and reporting impact aligned with United Way's community results framework.

  • Multi-year commitment: While applications are annual, United Way seeks sustained partnerships with effective organizations. Current partners have priority for continued funding if they meet performance expectations.

  • Geographic focus: Services must benefit residents of Franklin, Union, or Pickaway counties. The organization's expanded footprint offers opportunities for programs serving these areas.

  • Rigorous review process: With 121+ community volunteer reviewers plus staff, applications undergo thorough evaluation and site visits. Organizations should be prepared for detailed scrutiny and in-person assessment.

References

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