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United Way Of The National Capital Area

Annual Giving
$16.8M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.7M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16,838,263 (2023)
  • Total Awards: 254 grants (2023)
  • CFC Funding: $5.7 million (2024) - $225 million since 2004
  • Geographic Focus: Washington DC metropolitan area (DC, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George's, Prince William)
  • Partner Network: 500+ nonprofit organizations

Contact Details

Address: Vienna, VA
Phone: (202) 488-2000
Email: contactus@uwnca.org
Website: https://unitedwaynca.org
Partner Inquiries: partner@uwnca.org or (703) 549-4448 (Option 1)

Overview

United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) was established in 1974 and has served as a leading regional convener and grant-making organization for nearly five decades. The organization generates revenue primarily through employer-sponsored workplace giving campaigns, including the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #31408), raising more than $225 million through CFC since 2004 alone. United Way NCA operates as an intermediary funder rather than a direct service provider, distributing over $16.8 million in grants annually to partner nonprofits. Led by President and CEO Rosie Allen-Herring, the organization focuses on reducing disparities and advancing equity across three strategic pillars: health, education, and economic opportunity. In 2020, United Way NCA was selected to receive a transformational investment from MacKenzie Scott, recognizing its leadership in community impact. The organization designs and implements all programs through a racial equity lens, based on community needs.

Funding Priorities

Current Funding Model

United Way NCA operates through an annual nonprofit partnership program rather than traditional open grant applications. Partners gain access to donor-designated funds from workplace giving campaigns (federal, municipal, and corporate), including the Combined Federal Campaign. From 2021-2024, the organization distributed funding to support programs serving 39,167 students, 13,893 families, and 161,684 residents receiving financial services.

Important Note: United Way NCA phased out its Community Impact Grant program on December 31, 2019. Funding opportunities were realigned to support partners whose work closely aligns with the organization's Community Commitment.

Funding Distribution

  • Many partner organizations receive between $100,000 and $700,000 annually from CFC alone
  • Partners receive donor-designated gifts through workplace campaigns
  • 9.5% administrative processing fee applied to donations

Priority Areas

Education

  • Middle school to college/career success pipeline
  • Title I Community Schools addressing attendance, behavior, and course performance
  • Academic equity and reducing disparities in student outcomes

Health

  • Mental Health First Aid programs
  • Telehealth services providing access to professional therapists at no cost
  • Reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes
  • Integrated approaches to health and wellness

Economic Opportunity

  • Financial Empowerment Centers offering money management counseling
  • Credit and housing counseling
  • Asset-building resources and access to free/low-cost banking products
  • Free tax preparation services
  • Reducing wealth disparities

What They Don't Fund

  • National or international organizations without substantial local presence
  • Organizations with administrative/fundraising rates exceeding 35%
  • Organizations that don't meet minimum $50,000 annual revenue threshold
  • Organizations with less than 3 years of 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations that discriminate based on protected characteristics

Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership

  • Rosie Allen-Herring, President and CEO - Also serves as Network Advisory Council Co-Chair on United Way Worldwide Board of Trustees
  • Olivia Leonard, Chief Development Officer
  • Dr. Nicole Cooper, Chief External Affairs and Transformation Officer
  • Jasmine M. Johnson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
  • Rose Johnson, Vice President, Human Resources
  • Tony Paul, Vice President, Information Technology
  • Anthony Wolak, Vice President, Finance & Accounting/Controller

Board Leadership

  • Steve Proctor, Board Chair (G.S. Proctor & Associates, President & CEO)
  • Ken Samet, Treasurer (Medstar Health, President & CEO)
  • Wendy Morton-Huddleston, Secretary (WMH Advisors LLC, CEO)
  • Gary Tabach, Immediate Past Chair (Deloitte LLP, Managing Partner Retired)

Board includes additional members from PNC Bank, Pepco Holdings, Destination DC, EY, and other major regional employers.

Leadership Philosophy

Rosie Allen-Herring emphasizes: "Values drive our actions, responses and decisions; we each have to determine what matters to us and what we are and aren't willing to accept." She states their goal is "to help communities, partners and individuals find their light and inspire others."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way NCA uses an annual nonprofit partnership application process rather than traditional grant applications. This is not a typical competitive grant program - instead, organizations become partners to access workplace giving campaigns where individual donors designate their contributions.

Annual Partnership Process:

  • Pre-screening opens: September
  • Online application period: Mid-October through mid-November
  • Partnership year runs: July to June
  • Application required: Annually, even for returning partners

Contact Before Applying: Organizations should email partner@uwnca.org before September to express interest and receive guidance.

Partnership Eligibility Requirements

Geographic Requirements:

  • Substantial local presence in DC metropolitan area (DC, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George's, Prince William)
  • Local office staffed at least 15 hours per week
  • Cannot be primarily national/international organizations

Organizational Status:

  • Incorporated nonprofit for minimum 3 years
  • 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status
  • Active governing board of 3+ members
  • Minimum $50,000 annual revenue

Financial Requirements:

  • Administrative/fundraising rate under 35%
  • Audited financial statements required for organizations with $250,000+ revenue
  • Must submit most recent IRS Form 990
  • Financial statements must cover fiscal year ending within 18 months of application

Equity and Inclusion Requirements:

  • Non-discrimination policy (signed by officer)
  • Annual racial equity training for all board members and staff (completed by end of June)
  • Public statement of commitment to building inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities
  • Demonstrate diversity and inclusion priorities in service delivery
  • Accessible services to all individuals regardless of home culture and language

Partnership Commitments:

  • Allow United Way NCA to represent organization in campaigns
  • Participate in United Way signature events
  • Use United Way co-branding guidelines
  • Conduct internal United Way campaign
  • Promote United Way NCA and CFC designation codes

Exclusion: Organizations participating in Combined Federal Campaign independently are not eligible for United Way NCA partnership.

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed during the late fall period (October-November), with partnership decisions announced before the new partnership year begins in July.

Partnership Benefits

  • Access to Combined Federal Campaign (world's largest workplace charity campaign)
  • Access to municipal and corporate workplace giving campaigns
  • Donor-designated gifts distributed through United Way's platform
  • Organization listed in annual brochure distributed at campaigns and events
  • Access to Partner Portal with donor information
  • Ability to use United Way NCA logo and branding
  • Participation in Speakers Bureau and nonprofit learning series
  • ACH direct deposit of funds for faster processing
  • No partnership fee (9.5% administrative fee on donations received)

Application Success Factors

What Makes Partners Successful

Strong Mission Alignment: United Way NCA emphasizes that successful partners have work that "closely aligns with United Way NCA's Community Commitment and falls within the three pillars of health, education and financial stability." The organization designs programs "through an equity lens, based on community wants and needs."

Local Presence and Impact: Organizations must demonstrate substantial local presence and directly serve residents in the DC metropolitan area. The requirement for a staffed facility open at least 15 hours per week signals the importance of established local operations.

Financial Health and Transparency: The 35% overhead rate requirement is strictly enforced. Organizations should demonstrate sound financial management and efficiency in program delivery through audited statements and Form 990 filings.

Commitment to Racial Equity: This is non-negotiable. Organizations must complete annual racial equity training for all board and staff members. United Way NCA states it "delivers and manages evidence-based programs that are designed and implemented through a racial equity lens." Partners must share this commitment authentically.

Active Participation: Successful partners actively promote their United Way and CFC designation codes, participate in charity fairs and speaking engagements, and engage with United Way's learning opportunities. As the organization notes, partners should "promote your United Way NCA and CFC designation codes" and "take part in nonprofit learning opportunities."

Evidence-Based Programming: United Way NCA emphasizes "evidence-based programs" that "achieve measurable and meaningful outcomes." Partners should be prepared to demonstrate program effectiveness with data.

Current Partner Examples

United Way NCA currently supports 13 Community Schools through partnerships including:

  • Communities in Schools Northern Virginia (Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria, Walt Whitman Middle School in Fairfax)
  • Communities in Schools Nation's Capital (multiple DC schools including John Hayden Johnson Middle School, Cardozo Education Campus, Kramer Middle School, Brookland Middle School)
  • City Year DC (Kelly Miller Middle School)
  • Latin American Youth Center (four Prince George's County middle schools)
  • EveryMind and Linkages to Learning (Montgomery County)

These partnerships demonstrate the types of localized, education-focused, evidence-based programs that align with United Way NCA's priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional grant program - United Way NCA partners receive donor-designated gifts from workplace campaigns, not direct grants from the organization itself. The $16.8 million in "grants" represents funds United Way NCA distributed on behalf of donors.

  • Partnership is the pathway to funding - Apply during the annual October-November window to become a partner, which gives you access to workplace giving campaigns where you can receive $100,000-$700,000+ annually from federal employees, municipal workers, and corporate donors.

  • Racial equity commitment is mandatory - All board members and staff must complete annual racial equity training. This is a core value, not a checkbox. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate authentic commitment to equity work.

  • Local presence is critical - You must have a staffed facility in the DC metro area open at least 15 hours weekly. National organizations without substantial local operations will not qualify.

  • Financial efficiency matters - Keep overhead under 35% and maintain strong financial controls. This threshold is strictly enforced and organizations should prepare audited statements if revenue exceeds $250,000.

  • Active promotion drives results - Partners who actively promote their designation codes at workplace campaigns, participate in charity fairs, and engage donors directly see higher donation levels. This requires proactive marketing effort.

  • Timing is annual and fixed - Mark your calendar for September pre-screening and October-November applications. Miss this window and you'll wait another year.

References

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