United Way of South Hampton Roads

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,201,454 (2024)
• Awards Made: 67 grants in 2024
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: Varies by program
• Geographic Focus: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Contact Details

Address: 2515 Walmer Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23513

Phone: (757) 853-8500

Website: https://unitedwayshr.org

General Email: operations@unitedwayshr.org

Community Investments Contact: Carey Yates, AVP of Community Impact
Email: cyates@unitedwayshr.org
Phone: (757) 853-8500

Overview

Founded in 1923, United Way of South Hampton Roads (UWSHR) is the largest private funder dedicated to human service needs in South Hampton Roads. The organization brings people and resources together to solve problems too big for any single organization to tackle alone. With annual giving of over $7.2 million in 2024, UWSHR focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty and uplifting underserved neighbors by addressing systemic issues such as homelessness, unemployment, and high school dropout rates. The organization provides leadership that brings together diverse community stakeholders to support struggling families, increase educational attainment, and minimize health disparities throughout the Hampton Roads region. UWSHR invests through both direct services to certified partner agencies and collective impact initiatives focused on systems change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Investments Process: Annual funding distributed to certified nonprofit agencies through Requests for Proposals (RFPs) released throughout the year for flexibility and responsiveness.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP): A federal grant administered through the Department of Homeland Security's FEMA to supplement local social service agencies helping people with economic emergencies. Available for food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.

Application Method: Rolling RFPs throughout the year via the e-CImpact online portal

Priority Areas

UWSHR fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Specific focus areas include:

• Education: Helping children and youth achieve their potential through academic remediation and early childhood supports
• Health: Improving the health of children and adults and minimizing health disparities
• Financial Stability: Promoting financial stability and independence, breaking the cycle of poverty
• ALICE Families: Supporting Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) families

Collective Impact Initiatives

• United for Children: Coalition of business, nonprofit, government, and educational partners supporting underserved children through academic remediation, early childhood supports, and basic needs provision
• Mission United: Coordinated care network for U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members, and military-connected families providing housing, rent assistance, basic needs, transportation, education, and employment services
• Aspire: Comprehensive case management and coaching for women to achieve self-sufficiency across all life areas
• VBthrive and NFKthrive: Economic mobility coaching programs for ALICE families in five critical areas: Mentoring, Employment & Education, Financial Management, Well-Being, and Incentives

What They Don't Fund

Organizations excluded from funding include:

• Churches, church programs, and schools
• Educational institutions and foundations
• Cultural groups
• Service clubs
• Political organizations
• Legal defense funds
• Organizations whose primary purpose is not provision of local, public, charitable social service
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status and Commonwealth of Virginia registration (VDAC)
• Organizations outside their geographic service area (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Isle of Wight County)

Important Note: UWSHR does not provide direct services to individuals; they fund partner agencies that provide these services.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO

Mark Uren assumed the role of President & CEO on July 17, 2023, after a rigorous nationwide search led by Korn Ferry. Selected from more than 500 applicants, Uren brings 12 years of United Way experience and previously served as Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of Forsyth County, North Carolina, where he led development activities raising over $15 million annually.

Key Quotes from Mark Uren:

• "I have dedicated my life to public service, and I am excited and humbled that the selection committee has entrusted me to lead this amazing organization into the next 100 years."
• "I know every community has unique challenges, but I am confident that by working together, we can create a brighter future for our entire region."
• "I look forward to partnering with our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and other community partners as we face these challenges and bring positive change, so all our neighbors have the opportunity to thrive."
• "The work of the United Way is so important because we bring resources together from across our community to help solve problems that are too big for any of us to solve alone."

Board of Directors (2025)

Leadership Positions:

• Mark Johnson - Chair
• Brent R. Haden - Vice Chair
• Erin Ruane - Past Chair
• David Bernd - Mission United Chair
• Amy C. Bowden - Women United Chair
• Susan Colpitts - United for Children Chair
• Dena Corr - Campaign Chair
• Tom Hasty - Foundation Chair

Notable Board Members:

• Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston - President, Norfolk State University
• Robert Broermann - Executive VP & CFO, Sentara Health
• Bryan K. Stephens - President & CEO, Hampton Roads Chamber

The board represents diverse local business, educational, and community leaders committed to collaborative community impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Portal: e-CImpact online portal at https://agency.e-cimpact.com/login.aspx?org=50330

Application Method: Rolling RFPs released throughout the year (not a single annual deadline)

Pre-Application Requirements:

1. Organizations must first become certified agencies through UWSHR
2. Certification is a one-year classification (not a grant funding opportunity)
3. Organizations must complete initial qualification questions; if approved, they receive immediate access to e-CImpact portal

Eligibility Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status verified with IRS
• Commonwealth of Virginia registration (VDAC)
• Primary purpose must be provision of local, public, charitable social service
• Direct, substantial presence in UWSHR's service area (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Isle of Wight County)
• For write-in designations: Located in the specified service areas or statewide agencies serving those communities

Getting Started Guide: Available on the UWSHR website to help navigate the e-CImpact portal

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

• A volunteer Community Investments Committee thoroughly vets nonprofit partners
• Review includes examining 990s and audits, reviewing program details and results, and conducting on-site agency visits
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year

Timeline: Specific decision timelines are not publicly specified but vary based on when RFPs are released throughout the year

Success Rates

• 67 awards made in 2024
• 58 awards made in 2023
• 225 awards made in 2022
• Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Organizations should contact Carey Yates, AVP of Community Impact (cyates@unitedwayshr.org) for guidance.

Application Success Factors

What UWSHR Values

Two-Pronged Investment Strategy: UWSHR aims to invest in both direct services (including essential services and program investments) and systems change. Applications should clearly demonstrate how programs contribute to one or both approaches.

Focus on Community Impact: The organization emphasizes solving the region's "most urgent and challenging problems" and supporting "local solutions for local issues." Applications should clearly articulate how programs address systemic community challenges.

Demonstrated Results: The Community Investments Committee carefully reviews program details and results. Organizations must be prepared to demonstrate measurable impact and program effectiveness.

Financial Responsibility: Volunteers examine 990s and audits as part of the vetting process. Strong financial management and transparency are essential.

Strategic Alignment: Applications should align with UWSHR's focus areas: health, education, and financial stability, particularly as they relate to breaking the cycle of poverty.

On-Site Verification: The committee conducts on-site agency visits, so organizations should be prepared to showcase their programs in action and demonstrate operational capacity.

Key Certified Partner Examples

Organizations that have achieved certified partner status with UWSHR include:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters, Inc.
• Blakey Weaver Counseling Center, Inc.
• Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, Inc.
• Micro-Nonprofit Network Inc.
• New Vision Youth Services Inc.
• Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless, Inc.
• Starbase Victory, Inc.
• ACCESS College Foundation
• Armed Services YMCA
• Catholic Charities

These examples show the range of social service organizations UWSHR supports, from youth mentoring to housing assistance to educational access.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Become a certified agency first: Certification is the gateway to funding opportunities; start with the e-CImpact portal qualification process
• Focus on dual impact: Demonstrate how your programs provide both direct services and contribute to systems change in the community
• Emphasize local solutions: UWSHR prioritizes locally-driven approaches to local challenges; highlight your deep community connections and knowledge
• Prepare for thorough vetting: Be ready for comprehensive financial review (990s, audits) and on-site visits; transparency and strong documentation are crucial
• Align with priority areas: Clearly connect your work to health, education, or financial stability outcomes, especially as they relate to breaking cycles of poverty
• Think rolling opportunities: Unlike many funders with annual deadlines, UWSHR releases RFPs throughout the year; stay engaged and monitor for relevant opportunities
• Geographic alignment is non-negotiable: Your organization must have a direct, substantial presence in the five-city service area (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach) or Isle of Wight County

References

1. United Way of South Hampton Roads. (n.d.). Community Investments. Retrieved from https://unitedwayshr.org/what-we-do/community-investments/
2. United Way of South Hampton Roads. (n.d.). Meet Our Board Of Directors. Retrieved from https://unitedwayshr.org/about/board/
3. United Way of South Hampton Roads. (2023). United Way Announces Mark Uren as New President & CEO. Retrieved from https://unitedwayshr.org/ceo/
4. United Way of South Hampton Roads. (n.d.). e-CImpact Getting Started Guide. Retrieved from https://unitedwayshr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UWSHR-e-CImpact-Getting-Started-Guide.pdf
5. Instrumentl. (n.d.). United Way Of South Hampton Roads. Retrieved from https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/united-way-of-south-hampton-roads
6. Cause IQ. (n.d.). United Way of South Hampton Roads. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/united-way-of-south-hampton-roads,540506322/
7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. (n.d.). United Way Of South Hampton Roads. Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/540506322
8. Virginia Business. (2023). United Way of South Hampton Roads names new leader. Retrieved from https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/united-way-of-south-hampton-roads-names-new-leader/
9. 13News Now. (n.d.). United Way of South Hampton Roads invests over $12M in the community. Retrieved from https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/community/united-way-of-south-hampton-roads-invests-over-12m-in-the-community/291-a5afe7b4-9244-43ee-9840-a20269d8767e
10. United Way Worldwide. (n.d.). United Way of South Hampton Roads. Retrieved from https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/virginia/united-way-of-south-hampton-roads

All sources accessed January 2026.