United Way of Greater Atlanta Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $69,659,935 (2023)
Number of Grants: 312 awards (2023)
Grant Range: $500 - $50,000 (varies by program)
Geographic Focus: 13 counties in Greater Atlanta
Decision Time: Varies by program; typically announced within weeks to months after deadline
Application Method: Online portal (FLUXX)

Contact Details

Grant Application Portal: unitedwayatlanta.org/apply-for-a-grant

FLUXX Login: uwga.fluxx.io/user_sessions

Overview

Founded in 1924, United Way of Greater Atlanta is one of the nation's largest and most impactful United Ways, distributing nearly $70 million annually in grants to nonprofit organizations across the Greater Atlanta region. Under the leadership of President and CEO Milton J. Little, Jr. since 2007, the organization focuses on driving sustainable and equitable improvements in the well-being of children, families, and individuals. Their strategic approach centers on a Child Well-Being Index that maps neighborhoods by health and resilience, directing resources to areas of greatest need. The organization has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a perfect 100% score. Recently, United Way of Greater Atlanta has expanded its impact through specialized funds including the OUT Georgia Impact Fund (launched 2021) and the United for Racial Equity and Healing Fund, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Child Well-Being Mission Fund

Multi-year grants (typically 18-month duration)
Focused on organizations working in areas of low and very low child well-being
Awards distributed across four Investment Priority areas

Learning Loss Grant Program (State-wide)

Up to $50,000 per grant
Partnership with Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Supports community-based organizations reducing learning loss through reading skills, math proficiency, school transitions, and family engagement

OUT Georgia Impact Fund

Has distributed $200,000 since 2021
Supports LGBTQIA+ nonprofit organizations
Powered by United Way of Greater Atlanta in collaboration with OUT Georgia Business Alliance

Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Maximum $30,000 per program application
Organizations may request up to $45,000 total across multiple program applications
For mass shelter, feeding, temporary housing, or rent/mortgage/utility assistance

Community Strengthening Initiatives

Grants ranging from $500 to $1,000
For groups with "great ideas" supporting community strengthening

United for Racial Equity and Healing Fund

Supports Black-, Indigenous-, and people-of-color-led organizations
Focuses on power-building and community organizing for racial equity and healing

Priority Areas

United Way of Greater Atlanta invests through four Investment Priority areas:

Strong Learners: Early childhood education and K-12 academic success
College and Career Ready: Post-secondary education preparation and workforce readiness, including youth apprenticeships
Economic Stability: Job training, stable housing, financial education, and health cost reduction
Brighter Future: Building wealth for families and individuals

Geographic Priority: Organizations must be located and providing services in one of these 13 counties: Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale, or the City of Atlanta.

Place-Based Focus: Grants are strategically focused on neighborhoods identified through the Child Well-Being Index as having low and very low child well-being scores.

What They Don't Fund

Individuals or businesses directly
Labor unions
501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) organizations
Organizations located outside the 13-county service area
Programs that discriminate on the basis of race, cultural heritage, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or status as a qualified disabled or handicapped individual

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Milton J. Little, Jr. (since 2007)

Milton Little brings together his passions for equity, justice, community development, and human services in leading United Way of Greater Atlanta. He states: "Our vision is that Greater Atlanta is a community where all individuals and families thrive regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation."

On the organization's place-based approach, Little emphasizes: "We need to make place irrelevant as a determining factor for longevity, quality of life or the extent of one's possibilities."

Little's personal mission reflects his commitment: "Every day, I see people who look like me without a clear path to success. I didn't receive the gifts I've been given just to benefit myself. I'm here to share them and make a difference for others."

Board Leadership:

2024-2025 Board Chair: Peter Carter, Executive VP & Chief Legal Officer at Delta Air Lines
2025-2026 Board Chair: Brian Sappington, Chief of Sales (Global US Customers) at Danone

The Board includes leaders from prominent organizations such as Delta Air Lines, Cox Automotive, Graphic Packaging International, and other major Atlanta-area corporations.

Regional Advisory Boards: The organization maintains County Advisory Boards across all 13 counties served, including dedicated Southern Crescent Region and Northeast Region Advisory Boards.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Register Create a profile on the FLUXX portal at uwga.fluxx.io. Organizations need to introduce themselves and provide information about their organization.

Step 2: Create Account Set up login credentials and verify your email address.

Step 3: Access Available Applications Once verified, log in to the portal and view the list of available grant applications. Applications vary by funding cycle and program.

Step 4: Submit Application Complete the online application through the FLUXX platform. The web-based platform is designed to be less labor intensive and more transparent, making "grant submission and approval easier and transparent, deadlines clearer, data accessible and impact visible."

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must meet ALL of the following criteria:

501(c)(3) Status: Must be classified by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3) as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, or have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status. Schools, faith-based organizations, and other public entities able to receive tax-deductible contributions are also eligible.
Georgia Registration: Must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a nonprofit.
Geographic Location: Must be located and providing services in one of the 13 counties served (Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, or Rockdale, or the City of Atlanta).
Independent Governance: Must have an independent governing body consisting of at least nine voting members who are resident volunteers with authority to decide policy and strategic direction. The board must meet at least four times per year, and paid staff cannot be voting members.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Must maintain a policy that does not discriminate on the basis of race, cultural heritage, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or status as a qualified disabled or handicapped individual.
Financial Management: All financial statements must show evidence of Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP).

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by grant program:

Child Well-Being Mission Fund: Historically, applications opened in July with final grant decisions announced in late August (18-month grant duration).
COVID-19 Recovery Programs: Applicants notified in late April after volunteer decision-making.
Learning Loss Grant Program: Rolling announcements based on state partnership timeline.
OUT Georgia Impact Fund: Annual grant cycle with announcements typically in the fall/winter.

New funding opportunities are announced on the Funding Opportunity page of their website.

Success Rates

Total Awards (2023): 312 grants distributed
Total Funding (2023): $69,659,935

Specific application success rates and total applicant numbers are not publicly published. With 312 grants distributed annually across multiple program areas, the organization maintains a substantial grantmaking portfolio.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Organizations should contact United Way of Greater Atlanta directly or review specific RFP documents for program-specific reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Place-Based Alignment is Critical

United Way of Greater Atlanta's strategy is driven by the Child Well-Being Index, which maps neighborhoods by health and resilience. As their leadership states, grants are "more focused on 'place' – specifically, areas of low and very low child well-being." For organizations seeking place-based grants, they must demonstrate a physical presence or significant programming within the target community.

Demonstrate Capacity for Organizational Development

Successful capacity building efforts often require participation from individuals across an organization's structure (Staff, Leadership, Board of Directors) and dedicated time to focus on the capacity building project. The organization values nonprofits that are ready to grow and strengthen their operations.

Align with Investment Priorities

Applications must clearly align with one or more of the four Investment Priority areas: Strong Learners, College and Career Ready, Economic Stability, and Brighter Future. Use this language in your application and demonstrate how your work advances these specific strategies.

Emphasize Equity and Inclusion

United Way of Greater Atlanta has prioritized racial equity through initiatives like the United for Racial Equity and Healing Fund. The organization seeks to channel "resources into the hands of those closest to problems and solutions." Applications from Black-, Indigenous-, and people-of-color-led organizations and those serving marginalized communities are particularly aligned with current strategic direction.

Leverage the Partnership Approach

United Way of Greater Atlanta emphasizes that they "partner with each nonprofit as they prepare their grant application and, once they become a grantee, supports them in navigating systems and processes." Don't hesitate to reach out for support during the application process.

Focus on Measurable Impact

The FLUXX platform makes "data accessible and impact visible." Applications should include clear metrics, outcomes, and evaluation plans that demonstrate measurable impact on child and family well-being.

Recent Funded Programs Provide Models

Recent grantees include:

Organizations reducing learning loss through reading skills and math proficiency programs
LGBTQIA+ nonprofits like the Trans Housing Coalition
Organizations providing mass shelter, feeding, and housing assistance
Youth apprenticeship programs (CareerReadyATL)
Community organizing initiatives led by BIPOC organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geography matters: You must serve one of the 13 counties and ideally work in neighborhoods identified as having low child well-being scores through their Index.
Use their language: Frame your work within their four Investment Priority areas (Strong Learners, College and Career Ready, Economic Stability, Brighter Future) using their specific terminology.
Demonstrate equity commitment: Given their focus on racial equity and the United for Racial Equity and Healing Fund, highlight how your work addresses systemic inequities and serves marginalized communities.
Prepare for capacity building: Successful applicants should be ready to engage in organizational development with participation from staff, leadership, and board members.
Create your FLUXX profile early: The online portal system requires registration before you can even view available applications, so set up your account well before any deadline.
Monitor funding opportunities regularly: Check their Funding Opportunity page frequently, as new programs and partnerships (like the DFCS Learning Loss grants) emerge throughout the year.
Leverage the partnership: United Way emphasizes collaboration and support throughout the application process—reach out for guidance rather than going it alone.

References

Dates accessed: December 23, 2025