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United Way of the Midlands

Annual Giving
$12.8M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
8mo
Success Rate
45%

United Way of the Midlands (Columbia, SC)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12.8 million in community grants
  • Total Revenue: $32.6 million (FY 2023-2024)
  • Decision Time: 6-8 months (application to award announcement)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Richland Counties in South Carolina
  • Community Impact Partners: 65+ organizations
  • Donors: 30,000+
  • Efficiency: 93 cents of every dollar goes directly to community programs

Contact Details

Address: 1818 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 733-5400

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Community Investment Email: communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org

Website: www.uway.org

Pre-Application Support: Organizations interested in the Community Impact Fund can email communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org for questions about program eligibility and the application process.

Overview

Founded in 1925 as the Community Chest through the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Midlands has been serving South Carolina's Midlands region for nearly a century. The organization was formally established as United Way of the Midlands in 1976-1977 when services merged across Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, and Newberry counties, with Orangeburg and Calhoun counties joining in 2003. With total assets and annual revenue exceeding $32 million, United Way of the Midlands distributes approximately $12.8 million annually in grants to community programs.

The organization's mission is to unite people and resources to improve the quality of life in the Midlands, with strategic focus on helping students succeed in school, reducing homelessness, and providing affordable healthcare. United Way of the Midlands operates with exceptional efficiency, directing 93 cents of every dollar raised directly into community programs and services. In December 2020, the organization received a historic $10 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest gift from an individual donor in the organization's history, which has opened doors to even greater community impact.

President and CEO Sara Fawcett, who assumed leadership in June 2017 as the organization's first female chief executive in more than 75 years, has guided United Way's evolution in diversifying revenue streams and taking on community-wide issues like affordable housing and workforce development. The organization earned a perfect 100% score and Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Fund (Primary Grant Program)

  • Amount: $5,000 - $250,000 per program
  • Cycle: Two-year investment cycles (current cycle: 2024-2026; next cycle: 2026-2028)
  • Total Investment: $6.4 million in the current cycle supporting over 120 unique programs
  • Application Method: Two-stage process beginning with Letter of Intent, followed by invitation to submit full application
  • Timing: Applications open October 1 for funding beginning 18+ months later

The Community Impact Fund uses a tiered application system with additional program, reporting, and financial accountability requirements as the amount requested increases:

  • Tier 1: $5,000 - $49,999
  • Tier 2: $50,000 - $99,999
  • Tier 3: $100,000 and above

United Way of the Midlands typically will not fund a single agency more than $250,000 across all strategies. Organizations must be UWM-certified Community Impact Partners to apply.

Women in Philanthropy (WIP) Grants

  • Amount: $8,000 - $32,000
  • Focus: Programs supporting women and children
  • Annual Investment: $50,000 total distributed among 2-3 programs
  • History: Since inception in 2002, WIP has partnered with over 55 agencies and granted over $1.5 million
  • Application Method: Annual competitive RFP process through United Way
  • Cycle: Spring application cycle

Recent WIP grantees (2025-2026) include Dyslexia Resource Center ($8,255), Orangeburg County First Steps ($10,000), and Brookland-Lakeview Center ($31,745).

Special Funding Initiatives

  • Additional $587,000 in Whole Family strategy funding
  • $171,000 in special funding initiatives
  • Occasional emergency or disaster relief funding opportunities

Priority Areas

United Way of the Midlands focuses funding on four strategic priority areas:

1. Healthy Community Improving health and well-being for all residents, including access to affordable healthcare, health education, and preventive services.

2. Youth Opportunity Helping young people realize their full potential through programs like:

  • Early childhood development (Success by Six, Vital Connections)
  • Education support and tutoring (Midlands Reading Consortium)
  • Youth development programs
  • School success initiatives

3. Financial Security Building financial stability and strength through:

  • Financial education and empowerment programs
  • Job skills training and workforce development
  • Case management services
  • Economic mobility programs

4. Community Resiliency Addressing urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow, including:

  • Emergency assistance and crisis intervention
  • Homelessness prevention and housing stability
  • Food security programs
  • Basic needs support (shelter, childcare, transportation)

Cross-Cutting Requirements:

  • Programs must serve underserved, low-income populations
  • Must use trauma-informed care approaches
  • Must employ evidence-based practices, promising practices, or strategies driven by direct consumer input
  • Must address systemic community issues, not just immediate symptoms

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
  • Individual programs where UWM funding would constitute more than 50% of the program budget
  • Organizations rather than specific programs (applications must be for clearly delineated programs)
  • Capital campaigns or building projects (funding is for program operations)
  • Programs outside the six-county service area
  • Religious activities or sectarian purposes
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Endowment funds
  • Fundraising events or sponsorships
  • Programs that do not align with one or more of the four priority funding areas

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Sara Fawcett - President and Chief Executive Officer Sara Fawcett was approved by the Board of Directors in April 2017 and assumed her role in early June of that year, becoming the organization's first female chief executive in more than 75 years. Since taking the helm, Fawcett has guided United Way's evolution in diversifying revenue streams and taking on community-wide issues like affordable housing and workforce development.

Board of Directors (2024-2025)

The Board of Directors includes 31 members representing diverse sectors including banking, healthcare, education, legal, technology, and nonprofit leadership:

Executive Committee:

  • Trevor Knox (Chair) - Terminix
  • Kevin Lindler (Vice Chair) - First Citizens Bank
  • George King (Treasurer) - SouthState Wealth

Board Members (selected):

  • Roslyn Clark Artis - President, Benedict College
  • Scott Graves - BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
  • Georgia Mjartan - Central Carolina Community Foundation
  • Brittany Owen - Elliott Davis, LLC
  • Nicole B. Scott - Bank of America
  • Troy Thames - Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands
  • Rob Willm - Nephron Pharmaceuticals

The full board includes representatives from major regional employers and organizations including Dominion Energy, Colonial Life, AT&T, Truist, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, and others, demonstrating strong business and community support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Become a Certified Community Impact Partner Organizations must first become certified Community Impact Partners before being eligible to apply for Community Impact Fund grants. Partnership does not guarantee funding but provides eligibility to submit proposals for competitive grants. Contact Meredith Blount at mblount@uway.org for information about becoming a partner.

Step 2: Letter of Intent (LOI)

  • Deadline: October 31, 2025 (for 2026-2028 funding cycle)
  • Training: Virtual Letter of Intent Training Session scheduled for September 25, 2025
  • To Register: Email communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org for training invite
  • Content: Organizations describe their proposed program and alignment with UWM priorities

Step 3: Due Diligence Meeting

  • Timeline: November - December 2025
  • Format: Meeting with UWM staff to discuss program and application process
  • Purpose: UWM assesses organizational capacity and program viability
  • Outcome: Based on LOI and meeting, organizations are invited to submit full application

Step 4: Full Application

  • Deadline: January 30, 2026 (for 2026-2028 cycle)
  • Opening: January 8, 2026
  • Submission: Through e-C Impact database (online portal)
  • Requirements: Separate application required for each unique, clearly delineated program
  • Key Elements:
    • Program description and goals
    • Target population and service area
    • Evidence of trauma-informed and evidence-based practices
    • Outcome indicators and measurement plans
    • Budget (UWM funding should not exceed 50% of program budget)
    • Demonstration of meaningful partnerships
    • Plan for regular program performance reviews

Step 5: Community Review

  • Timeline: February - May 2026
  • Process: Community volunteer review teams assess applications
  • Focus: Teams organized around the four priority funding areas
  • Criteria: Application strength, efficient use of resources, ability to deliver outcomes

Step 6: Award Announcements

  • Notification: June 2026
  • Method: Organizations notified of funding decisions
  • Funding Period: Typically begins July 1 following announcement (July 1, 2026 for current cycle)

Decision Timeline

From initial Letter of Intent to award announcement: 8 months

  • October 31: LOI deadline
  • November-December: Due diligence meetings
  • January 30: Full application deadline
  • February-May: Community review period
  • June: Award announcements
  • July 1: Funding period begins

Total time from interest to funding distribution: 9-10 months minimum

Grant Period: Two-year investment cycles with funds distributed monthly via direct deposit to successful applicants.

Success Rates

Recent grant activity shows:

  • 2023: 31 awards made
  • 2022: 33 awards made
  • 2021: 32 awards made
  • 2020: 42 awards made
  • 2024-2025 Cycle: $3.2 million in impact grants awarded to 25 programs

While specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed, the competitive nature of the process is evident. With 65+ certified Community Impact Partners eligible to apply and only 25-42 grants awarded per cycle, applicants should expect a success rate likely in the 35-65% range, though this varies by priority area and funding availability.

Reapplication Policy

United Way of the Midlands operates on two-year funding cycles, meaning organizations receive multi-year grants rather than reapplying annually. At the end of each two-year cycle, all partners - including previously funded organizations - must reapply through the same competitive process.

For Previously Funded Organizations:

  • No guaranteed renewal; must compete alongside new applicants
  • Previous funding history considered but not determinative
  • Must demonstrate continued alignment with UWM priorities
  • Performance data from previous funding period reviewed
  • Organizations can apply for continuation, expansion, or modification of previously funded programs

For Unsuccessful Applicants:

  • May reapply in the next funding cycle (two years later)
  • No waiting period or penalty for unsuccessful applications
  • Encouraged to request feedback from UWM staff to strengthen future applications
  • Can contact communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org for debriefing

Between Cycles:

  • Organizations may apply for WIP grants (if focused on women/children)
  • Special funding initiatives occasionally available
  • Focus on strengthening partnership relationship with UWM
  • Participate in UWM training and capacity-building opportunities

Application Success Factors

What United Way of the Midlands Values

1. Evidence-Based and Trauma-Informed Approaches United Way of the Midlands explicitly requires that funded programs "understand the effects of trauma and use approaches that incorporate trauma-informed care" and "use evidenced-based, promising practices, or employ strategies driven by direct consumer input on effectiveness." Applications must clearly articulate how programs incorporate these approaches, not just mention them.

2. Meaningful Outcomes Over Activities UWM prioritizes funding based on "application strength, efficient use of requested resources, and ability to successfully deliver outcomes." Focus applications on measurable outcomes and impact rather than listing activities. The organization seeks programs that address systemic community issues, not just provide temporary relief.

3. Collaborative Partnerships Applications must "demonstrate meaningful partnerships" with other organizations. UWM values programs that coordinate with other service providers, avoid duplication, and create synergies. The community volunteer review teams specifically assess how well programs work within the broader service ecosystem.

4. Financial Sustainability and Diversification UWM requires "a healthy mix of funding supporting the program/organization, where UWM's resources should not be the majority of funding." Organizations should demonstrate diverse funding sources and long-term sustainability plans. UWM will not fund programs where their grant exceeds 50% of the program budget.

5. Serving Priority Populations Programs must serve "underserved, low-income populations" within the six-county service area. Applications should include clear demographic data about who is served and how the program reaches those most in need.

6. Continuous Improvement Culture UWM requires that organizations "review program for performance improvements or adjustments on a regular basis." Demonstrate data-driven decision-making and willingness to adapt programs based on results.

7. Requesting Only Essential Resources UWM advises organizations to "apply for only essential resources needed" and avoid applying for more than necessary. Right-sized budgets that demonstrate efficiency and stewardship are preferred over inflated requests.

Recent Successful Programs

Recent grant recipients demonstrate UWM's funding priorities in action:

  • Sistercare: Operates three shelters in Richland and Lexington counties for battered women and their children, providing comprehensive services addressing both immediate safety needs and long-term stability.

  • Homeless No More and Able SC: Received combined WIP funding to improve financial stability among women and women with children, demonstrating the priority on economic empowerment.

  • Dyslexia Resource Center: Funded for affordable tutoring services and educator training, showing support for evidence-based educational interventions.

  • Orangeburg County First Steps and Brookland-Lakeview Center: Received WIP grants for early childhood programs, reflecting the Youth Opportunity priority area.

  • Midlands Reading Consortium: Tutored 691 kids in 27 different schools, with reading skills generally doubling between fall and spring - demonstrating measurable outcomes.

  • Housing stability programs: 990 people placed in long-term housing with over 600 remaining in stable housing after 6 months - showing sustained impact.

Common Success Factors

Based on UWM's requirements and funded programs, successful applications typically:

  • Use clear, specific language about target populations, service delivery methods, and expected outcomes
  • Include strong data collection and evaluation plans with specific indicators tied to UWM priorities
  • Demonstrate cultural competency and understanding of trauma's impact on served populations
  • Show efficient operations with reasonable cost-per-person served and strong administrative systems
  • Align clearly with one or more priority areas rather than trying to address everything
  • Include letters of support or MOUs from partner organizations demonstrating meaningful collaboration
  • Provide realistic budgets that show how UWM funding leverages other resources
  • Demonstrate organizational capacity through qualified staff, appropriate governance, and sound financial management

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Plan ahead: With a 9-10 month timeline from Letter of Intent to funding, start engaging with UWM at least one year before you need funding. The next application cycle for 2026-2028 funding opens October 1, 2025.

  • Partnership is prerequisite: You must become a certified Community Impact Partner before applying for grants. Start this process early by contacting Meredith Blount at mblount@uway.org.

  • Attend the LOI training: The virtual training session (September 25, 2025 for the next cycle) is crucial for understanding what UWM seeks. Request an invite from communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org.

  • Focus on outcomes, not activities: UWM funds programs based on their ability to deliver measurable outcomes. Your application should lead with impact data and outcome indicators, not program descriptions.

  • Demonstrate trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches: These are not optional buzzwords - they are required elements. Be specific about which trauma-informed principles you use and what evidence base supports your approach.

  • Diversify your funding: Since UWM will not fund more than 50% of any program budget, you need other funding sources secured or identified before applying. This also demonstrates sustainability.

  • Think two years ahead: Funding comes in two-year cycles, so your program plan and budget should reflect multi-year sustainability and growth, not just annual operations.

  • Consider WIP grants as an alternative: If your program serves women and children, the Women in Philanthropy grants offer a smaller-scale funding opportunity with potentially less competition, though awards are more limited ($8,000-$32,000 range).

  • Leverage UWM's efficiency reputation: With 93 cents of every dollar going to programs and a perfect Charity Navigator score, UWM-funded programs gain credibility with other funders. Highlight UWM partnership in other grant applications.

  • Engage with the community review process: Remember that community volunteers review applications. Write clearly for a general audience, not just experts, and emphasize community benefit and local impact.

References

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