United Way Of Central Ohio Inc

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 programme
• 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) 227-2700
Website: www.liveunitedcentralohio.org
Fax: (614) 224-5835

For Programme Investment and Grants Enquiries: David Reierson at [email protected]

Overview

United Way of Central Ohio (EIN: 31-4393712) is one of the larger United Way organisations in the country, founded to mobilise community resources to reduce poverty in Central Ohio. In 2023, the organisation distributed $13.6 million in grants. 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 organisation partners with 68-75 local nonprofit organisations 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 47% of funded organisations now led by people of colour.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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

• Most Recent Programme Investment Cycle: Over $5 million distributed to 68 nonprofits running 88 high-impact programmes
• Previous Programme Investment Cycle: Over $5.3 million distributed to 75 nonprofits and 96 programmes
• Individual Grant Amounts: Varies by organisation (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, recognising 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 organisation's funding is tightly focused on:

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

Funding is not available for programmes 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 programmes 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 Service, 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. Programme investment funding is a closed and competitive process, conducted by invitation only to nonprofits currently receiving funding.

For Current Partners:

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

Typical Annual Timeline:

• Applications typically become available in e-CImpact: late December
• Submission deadline: typically late January
• Site visits: February–March
• Funding decisions: spring
• Funding cycle: July–June (annual)

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

Recent 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 colour (45%)
• 38 organisations were first-time grant recipients
• Selection process reflects demographics of Franklin County

Reapplication Policy

Currently funded partners are invited to reapply annually. Organisations not currently in the funding portfolio cannot submit unsolicited applications. The organisation occasionally opens applications to new partners when expanding programme 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: Programmes 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: Organisations 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. Organisations should have plans for achieving and maintaining diverse board composition.

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

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

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

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

Examples of Funded Programmes:

• 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. Organisations seeking funding should focus on building relationships and demonstrating community impact outside the formal application process.

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

• Diversity and equity are non-negotiable: Organisations must collect disaggregated data and demonstrate board diversity that reflects county demographics. Leadership by people of colour is explicitly valued, with 47% of funded organisations meeting this criterion.

• Data-driven decision making: United Way emphasises 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 organisations. 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 organisation's expanded footprint offers opportunities for programmes serving these areas.

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

References

• United Way of Central Ohio official website: https://liveunitedcentralohio.org (Accessed January 2025)
• "United Way Announces Programme Investment Process for 2025-2026": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/united-way-announces-program-investment-process-for-2025-2026/ (Accessed January 2025)
• "2025-2026 Funding Announced for 68 Nonprofit Partners": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/2025-2026-funding-announced-for-68-nonprofit-partners/ (Accessed January 2025)
• "United Way of Central Ohio Announces 2024-2025 Programme Investment Process": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/2024-2025-program-investment-process-announced/ (Accessed January 2025)
• "Advancing Racial Equity in Central Ohio": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/advancing-racial-equity-in-central-ohio/ (Accessed January 2025)
• "Board of Trustees": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/boardoftrustees/board-of-trustees/ (Accessed January 2025)
• "Lisa S. Courtice, Ph.D.": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/team/lisa-courtice-ph-d/ (Accessed January 2025)
• "Financials": https://liveunitedcentralohio.org/about-us/financials/ (Accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, United Way of Central Ohio Inc (EIN 31-4393712): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/314393712 (Accessed January 2025)
• United Way Worldwide Directory: https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/ohio/united-way-of-central-ohio (Accessed January 2025)
• 10TV Columbus: "United Way funding reaches nonprofits supporting communities of colour": https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/united-way-funding-reaches-nonprofits-supporting-communities-of-color/530-fe21cefd-4bee-485c-83b1-ff0892e0fa8b (Accessed January 2025)