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United Way of the Midlands

Annual Giving
$12.8M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Success Rate
67%

United Way of the Midlands (Omaha, NE)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12.8 million in grants (FY 2024); $32 million raised annually
  • Success Rate: ~65-70% (highly competitive with 220+ applications for limited funding)
  • Decision Time: Multi-year funding cycle; specific timelines vary by program
  • Grant Range: Up to $25,000 for new programs; $50,000-$75,000 typical for returning programs
  • Geographic Focus: Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area (Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties)

Contact Details

Main Office:

  • Website: unitedwaymidlands.org
  • Phone: (402) 342-8282 / (402) 342-8232
  • Email: communityinvestments@uwmidlands.org (for grant inquiries)
  • Address: 1229 Millwork Avenue, Suite 402, Omaha, NE 68102

Overview

United Way of the Midlands has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area for nearly 100 years, functioning as a bridge between the business and nonprofit sectors to address social and economic disparities. With approximately $32 million raised in FY 2023-2024, the organization strategically invests more than 95 cents of every donated dollar directly into the community. In FY 2024, UWM distributed $12,780,224 in grants, supporting over 150 local nonprofit programs through various funding mechanisms including the Community Care Fund ($8 million to 140 programs), the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund ($400,000 to 12 programs), and the City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Program ($2.5 million to 33 programs). The organization recently relocated to Millwork Commons and continues to expand its impact through direct services including the 211 Helpline (315,000+ contacts annually), JAG Nebraska, and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Care Fund (CCF)

  • $8 million invested into 140+ programs
  • Two-year funding cycle providing financial stability
  • Grant awards typically range from $50,000-$75,000 for returning applicants
  • New programs (no prior UWM support) can request up to $25,000
  • Currently NOT accepting applications; next cycle begins in 2025 for funding starting in 2026

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Fund

  • $400,000 first-year investment
  • Supports 12 programs focused on racial equity
  • Targets BIPOC-led nonprofits
  • Focus areas: Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Financial Empowerment
  • Requires 50% of senior leadership to be BIPOC (or 25% if ED/CEO is BIPOC)
  • Requires 65% of program's client population to identify as BIPOC

Karnett Trust

  • $500,000 total investment for 2025-2027 cycle
  • Funding 10 metro-area programs
  • Exclusive focus on care, education, and training of children with intellectual disabilities
  • Letters of Intent accepted January 13-31 annually
  • Virtual LOI training held in early January

City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Program

  • $2.5 million in investments administered by UWM
  • Supports 33 programs
  • Focus areas: Basic needs, food and shelter access, healthcare services, mental health support

Priority Areas

UWM focuses on four strategic areas that create a "Circle of Support":

  1. Community Resiliency - Programs that help families withstand and recover from challenges
  2. Youth Opportunity - Education programs, early childhood education, mentoring, career preparation
  3. Financial Security - Job training, financial literacy, employment support
  4. Healthy Communities - Physical and mental health services, healthcare access

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions were not publicly documented, UWM requires:

  • Programs must serve economically vulnerable populations in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area
  • Must hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
  • UWM investment cannot exceed 50% of total program budget
  • Programs must demonstrate meaningful partnerships
  • Must use evidence-based or promising practices driven by direct consumer input

Governance and Leadership

Shawna Forsberg - President and CEO

  • Appointed following nationwide search
  • Previously served as interim president since July 2014
  • Under her leadership, UWM achieved 7th ranking out of 1,200 United Ways for campaign performance

Chanda Chacón - Board Chair

  • President & CEO, Children's Nebraska
  • 20 years of experience in pediatric healthcare

Chris Leitner - Board Chair-Elect

  • Chief Executive Officer, Tenaska

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: UWM is currently NOT accepting traditional funding applications for the Community Care Fund. The next multi-year funding cycle begins in 2025 for funding starting in 2026.

Application Process (when open):

  1. Create a profile in UWM's online system
  2. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) during the application window
  3. Attend due diligence meeting with UWM staff (if invited)
  4. Submit full application (if invited)
  5. Volunteer review process through Community Investment Review Team (CIRT)
  6. Board approval of funding recommendations

Contact: communityinvestments@uwmidlands.org

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed by Community Investment Review Team (CIRT) composed of community volunteers
  • CIRT prepares funding recommendations for UWM Board of Directors
  • Board makes final funding decisions
  • Two-year investment cycle provides same level of funding in second year (contingent on meeting reporting requirements)

Success Rates

  • During 2022-2024 cycle: 152 programs requested funding; 140+ programs funded
  • Process described as "highly competitive"
  • UWM invested $8 million from CCF despite $15+ million in requests

Reapplication Policy

  • Community Care Fund operates on two-year cycles
  • Programs funded in Year 1 receive same funding in Year 2 if they meet reporting requirements
  • Programs must reapply when their two-year cycle ends
  • Returning applicants typically eligible for $50,000-$75,000 grants
  • New applicants limited to $25,000 maximum

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

  • Demonstrate measurable impact with evidence-based practices
  • Align with UWM's four strategic focus areas
  • Serve economically vulnerable populations in the metro area
  • Build meaningful partnerships with clients and other agencies
  • Incorporate trauma-informed care approaches
  • Maintain financial sustainability (UWM investment cannot exceed 50% of program budget)
  • Strong data collection and reporting capabilities

Program-Specific Tips:

  • Karnett Trust: Focus exclusively on children with intellectual disabilities; demonstrate historical impact data
  • DEI Fund: Must be BIPOC-led organization with 65% BIPOC client population; focus on workforce/financial empowerment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is critical: Currently not accepting CCF applications; next cycle begins in 2025 for 2026 funding
  • Multi-year stability: Two-year funding model reduces reapplication burden but requires strong reporting
  • Highly competitive: ~65-70% success rate with requests far exceeding available funds
  • New applicants face limits: First-time applicants capped at $25,000 versus $50,000-$75,000 for returning grantees
  • Budget diversification required: UWM investment cannot exceed 50% of program budget
  • Data capacity essential: Must commit to reporting client-level demographics and measurable results
  • Strategic alignment matters: Explicitly align with UWM's four focus areas and trauma-informed approaches

References

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