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United Way of Northeast Florida Inc

Annual Giving
$18.9M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $18,860,859 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 57 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Northeast Florida (Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and northern St. Johns counties)
  • Application Method: Competitive RFP cycles
  • Decision Time: Approximately 8-10 weeks (based on recent RFP timeline)

Contact Details

Address: 40 E. Adams St., Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone: 904-390-3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: unitedwaynefl.org

Grant Information: unitedwaynefl.org/community-partners or email unitedwaygrants@uwnefl.org

Overview

United Way of Northeast Florida (EIN: 59-0637825) has been addressing human-service needs in Northeast Florida for nearly 100 years. The organization serves residents in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and northern St. Johns counties, distributing over $18.8 million in grants annually (2023) across 57 awards. Operating under the mission to "solve the community's toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas," United Way focuses specifically on improving economic mobility—recognizing that 38.7% of households in Northeast Florida are living paycheck to paycheck or in poverty. In 2024-2025, the organization announced a new strategic plan through 2030 with three impact areas: healthy community, financial security, and youth opportunity. Recent major investments include $9 million over two years (announced March 2025) and $4.4 million for 18 months (announced October 2024).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of Northeast Florida operates competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) cycles with funding distributed through multi-year grant cycles:

  • Community Investment Grants: Multi-program grant cycles ranging from 18 months to 2 years. Recent examples include $4.4 million distributed among nearly three dozen programs (October 2024) and $9 million distributed among 37 programs over two years (March 2025)
  • Racial Equity Grants: Focused on grassroots organizations supporting youth enrichment. Recent example: $180,000 distributed among 30 organizations (July 2024)
  • Specific Focus Area Grants: Targeted investments such as $1.7 million for eight food access programs and $2 million for nine housing programs

Priority Areas

Current Strategic Focus (2025-2030):

  • Healthy Community
  • Financial Security
  • Youth Opportunity

Active Funding Categories:

  • Basic Needs: Temporary food assistance, emergency shelter, utility assistance, legal and emotional support services, health and disability screenings, senior independence programs
  • Financial Well-Being: Workforce development, employment services, financial literacy, education and training programs
  • Racial Equity: Programs addressing disparities (51% of Black households and 44% of Hispanic households fall below the ALICE threshold compared to 34% of white households)
  • Economic Mobility: Programs addressing food access, housing stability, education attainment, and workforce development

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not detailed in public materials. However, eligibility is limited to:

  • Organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits
  • Programs must serve residents in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and northern St. Johns counties
  • Programs must align with United Way's focus areas

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Melanie D. Patz (appointed August 2022)

Melanie Patz previously served as Vice President of Community Investment and Impact at Baptist Health and earlier as Vice President of Community Impact for United Way. She is a graduate of the 2005 Community Coaches program and Class of 2006 Leadership Jacksonville.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

On the organization's vision and her role: "United Way plays a critical role in our community, and its impact throughout its nearly 100-year history is far-reaching. It's an honor to take the helm of an organization that has benefitted so many individuals and families in our region and meant so much to me personally. I am excited to lead this team and, together with our partners, we will continue to innovate and work toward our vision of a community of opportunity for everyone in Northeast Florida."

On economic mobility: "In an economically mobile community, every individual – regardless of the color of their skin or the zip code in which they were born – has the opportunity to do better than the generation before. If we intend to achieve our vision of creating a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential, we have to begin by addressing the barriers limiting economic mobility."

On the new strategic plan: "Our new strategic plan, ALICE Promise and goals sharpen that focus, guiding us to create an even greater impact in our community and ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed."

Board of Trustees: The organization is governed by a board of trustees, with proposals reviewed by more than 40 local volunteer evaluators who are knowledgeable professionals and community members with expertise in the grant focus areas and nonprofit financial management.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of Northeast Florida uses a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process for grant funding:

  1. Eligibility: Organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits leading programs that fall within United Way's focus areas and serving residents in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and northern St. Johns counties

  2. RFP Announcement: Grant opportunities are announced through press releases and on the website at unitedwaynefl.org/community-partners

  3. Application Process:

    • Monitor the website or contact unitedwaygrants@uwnefl.org for upcoming RFP opportunities
    • Mandatory workshops may be required for applicants
    • Technical assistance is available
    • Online application submission required

  4. Review Process: All submitted proposals are carefully reviewed by more than 40 local evaluators who are knowledgeable, committed professionals and community members with expertise and experience in the grant focus areas as well as in nonprofit financial management

Decision Timeline

Recent RFP Timeline Example (2024):

  • RFP opened: July 8
  • Applications closed: August 17
  • Awards announced: October 17
  • Funding began: October 1
  • Total time from close to announcement: Approximately 8-10 weeks

Grant cycles vary in length from 18 months to 2 years.

Success Rates

With $18.8 million distributed across 57 awards in 2023, and recent cycles funding approximately 30-37 programs per major RFP, the organization supports a significant number of community partners. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly published.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not available in public materials. Contact unitedwaygrants@uwnefl.org for guidance on resubmission opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way of Northeast Florida's stated priorities and recent funding patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Alignment with Economic Mobility: United Way's overarching goal is to improve economic mobility for everyone in Northeast Florida. CEO Melanie Patz emphasizes that successful communities ensure "every individual – regardless of the color of their skin or the zip code in which they were born – has the opportunity to do better than the generation before."

Focus on ALICE Populations: Given that 38.7% of Northeast Florida households struggle to make ends meet (including 72,000 households in poverty and 187,000 ALICE families), programs serving Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) populations are particularly relevant. Programs should address that 63% of individuals under age 25 and 49% of people over age 65 struggle financially.

Racial Equity Considerations: Applications should acknowledge and address disparities: 51% of Black households and 44% of Hispanic households fall below the ALICE threshold compared to 34% of white households.

Measurable Outcomes: United Way seeks "meaningful outcomes that will improve economic mobility across the region," indicating a results-oriented approach to grant-making.

Examples of Recently Funded Programs (2024):

  • AMIkids Jacksonville - Workforce Development and Certified Teens programs
  • Hubbard House - Emergency Shelter and Services Program
  • The Arc Jacksonville - Employment Placement and Transition Services
  • Downtown Ecumenical Services Council - Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida - Digital Literacy Integrated Education and Training
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida - Project Learn
  • Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry - Emergency Financial Assistance to Prevent Homelessness

Geographic Scope: Programs must clearly demonstrate impact in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and northern St. Johns counties.

Community Connection: United Way values innovation and partnership, as reflected in their mission to solve challenges "by connecting people, resources and ideas."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on economic mobility: Frame your program in terms of how it helps individuals and families achieve financial stability and opportunity to advance economically
  • Address ALICE populations: Nearly 40% of Northeast Florida households are ALICE or in poverty—demonstrate understanding of this population's specific challenges
  • Emphasize measurable outcomes: United Way seeks meaningful, measurable results in basic needs, financial well-being, or youth opportunity
  • Consider racial equity: Address how your program serves communities experiencing the greatest disparities (Black and Hispanic households, youth under 25, seniors over 65)
  • Monitor for RFP announcements: Funding opportunities are released periodically through competitive RFPs—subscribe to updates at unitedwaynefl.org/community-partners
  • Participate in technical assistance: United Way offers workshops and technical assistance during RFP periods—take advantage of these resources
  • Multi-year commitment: Recent grant cycles range from 18 months to 2 years, indicating United Way's interest in sustained program impact rather than one-time projects

References

  1. United Way of Northeast Florida official website. unitedwaynefl.org. Accessed January 2026.

  2. "United Way announces $4.4 million in grant funding for programs addressing basic needs and financial well-being." United Way Northeast Florida Press Release. October 17, 2024. unitedwaynefl.org/united-way-announces-4-4-million-in-grant-funding-for-programs-addressing-basic-needs-and-financial-well-being/

  3. "United Way announces $9 million investment to improve economic mobility in Northeast Florida." United Way Northeast Florida Press Release. March 2025. unitedwaynefl.org/united-way-announces-9-million-investment-to-improve-economic-mobility-in-northeast-florida/

  4. "More than 38% of Northeast Florida residents struggle to make ends meet despite growth in wages." United Way Northeast Florida. May 22, 2024. unitedwaynefl.org/more-than-38-of-northeast-florida-residents-struggle-to-make-ends-meet-despite-growth-in-wages/

  5. "United Way of Northeast Florida announces new strategic plan." Jax Daily Record. October 23, 2025. jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/oct/23/united-way-of-northeast-florida-announces-new-strategic-plan/

  6. "United Way of Northeast Florida Announces New President and CEO." United Way Northeast Florida Press Release. unitedwaynefl.org/united-way-northeast-florida-announces-new-president-ceo/

  7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - United Way of Northeast Florida Inc (EIN: 59-0637825). projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/590637825. Accessed January 2026.

  8. "United Way alters funding framework and processes." United Way Northeast Florida. unitedwaynefl.org/funding/. Accessed January 2026.

  9. Candid Foundation Directory - United Way of Northeast Florida, Inc. fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=UNIT562. Accessed January 2026.

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