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Heart of Florida United Way

Annual Giving
$9.8M
Grant Range
$45K - $0.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9.8 million (2023)
  • Total Revenue: $21.8 million (2024)
  • Grant Awards: 57 awards in 2023
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed August-October by volunteer committees
  • Grant Range: $45,000 - $195,000+ (based on disclosed awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties in Central Florida

Contact Details

Address: Dr. Nelson Ying Center, 1940 Cannery Way, Orlando, FL 32804

Phone: (407) 835-0900

24/7 Helpline: 211

Website: www.hfuw.org

Email: Contact through website

Overview

Founded in 1939 (formerly Community Chest of Orlando), Heart of Florida United Way is one of Central Florida's largest investors in local health and human service initiatives. With total revenue of $21.8 million in fiscal year 2024 and $9.8 million distributed in grants during 2023, HFUW serves Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. The organization's strategic focus centers on supporting the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population—working families who earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities. In 2022-23, HFUW served more than 755,000 people—approximately one in every three Central Floridians—through direct service and funded programs. The organization operates signature programs including the 211 Information & Referral Crisis Line (which handled 249,915 contacts in one year), Mission United for veterans, and manages nearly $2.3 million for the Ryan White Part B program providing HIV/AIDS services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Heart of Florida United Way uses a community investment model where 130 dedicated volunteers review funding requests annually. In 2023, the organization made 57 grant awards totaling $9.8 million to partner agencies.

Sample Grant Awards:

  • The Salvation Army Orlando: $195,000 (Orange County) for financial stability and basic needs
  • Osceola Council on Aging: $95,000 (Osceola County) for financial stability, health, and basic needs
  • The Salvation Army, Sanford Corp: $45,000 (Seminole County) for financial stability and basic needs
  • The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families: Multiple grants for programs including Teen Xpress and The Healing Tree
  • The Sharing Center: Funding for Seminole County services

Application Timeline: Community Investment Teams meet monthly from August through October, with volunteer training, application reviews, site visits, and deliberation meetings.

Donor Choice Program: HFUW offers a donor designation program allowing workplace campaign donors to direct gifts to specific 501(c)(3) nonprofits of their choice, providing agencies access to unrestricted funding through workplace giving campaigns.

Priority Areas

HFUW focuses investments on four pivotal areas aligned with measurable community outcomes:

  1. Education: School readiness, academic success, and graduation rates
  2. Income/Financial Stability: Employment, financial literacy, and economic independence
  3. Health: Mental, physical, and social well-being for children and families
  4. Basic Needs: Food security, housing stability, and emergency assistance

Programs must demonstrate evidence-based approaches and align with strategic plan goals addressing the ALICE population's needs.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not publicly detailed in available materials, though funding is strategically focused on the four priority areas serving Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jeff Hayward, President & CEO (since December 2016)

  • Total Compensation: $410,041 (plus $43,359 benefits)
  • Named among Orlando's "50 Most Powerful" by Orlando Magazine (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • On partnerships: "This partnership is driven by impact and rooted in love for our Central Florida community. We believe in the power of a team, the strength in collaboration and the shared vision that when we LIVE UNITED, anything is possible."
  • On community needs: "With nearly 50% of households in Central Florida struggling to afford basic necessities, the need is great."

Jill Grevi, Chief Financial Officer

  • Total Compensation: $258,119 (plus $32,386 benefits)

Graciela Noriega Jacoby, Chief Operating Officer

  • Total Compensation: $252,253 (plus $30,413 benefits)

Board of Directors

The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The board conducts formal assessments and approved the organization's fiscal policies. Specific board member names for 2024 are available in the organization's Form 990 filing.

Organizational Structure

Tax-exempt since July 1942 as a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 59-0808854). The organization undergoes annual audits reviewed by the Audit and Ethics Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Heart of Florida United Way uses a competitive community investment process rather than an open rolling application system. Organizations interested in becoming funded partners should contact HFUW directly at (407) 835-0900 or through their website at www.hfuw.org to inquire about partnership opportunities.

The organization also offers a Donor Choice Designation Program where any 501(c)(3) nonprofit can potentially receive designated donations from workplace campaign donors, even if not a formally funded partner agency.

Community Investment Review Process

  • Community Investment Teams: 130 dedicated volunteers review funding requests annually
  • Volunteer Composition: Teams include diverse individuals with expertise in strategic planning, outcome measurement, community leadership, and financial analysis
  • Meeting Schedule: Teams meet monthly from August through October
  • Review Components:
    • Volunteer training
    • Review of partner program applications
    • Program site visits and presentations
    • Group discussions and consensus-based scoring
    • "Discuss and Deliberate" meeting for funding recommendations

Decision Timeline

The annual community investment cycle runs August through October, with funding decisions made for the following fiscal year. Organizations should anticipate a 3-month review period from application submission to final funding decisions.

Success Rates

With 57 grant awards made in 2023 from the $9.8 million distributed, the organization maintains selective partnerships focused on achieving measurable outcomes. Success rate data for total applications received versus awards made is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

As a United Way organization using an annual community investment process, partner agencies typically reapply annually. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants should be confirmed directly with HFUW.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities

Organizations must demonstrate clear alignment with HFUW's four priority areas (Education, Income, Health, Basic Needs) and specifically show how programs address the needs of the ALICE population—working families struggling to afford basic necessities despite employment.

Evidence-Based Programming

Funded programs must be evidence-based and demonstrate measurable outcomes. In 2023-2024, 97% of those served through case management/financial stability services alleviated crises and increased household stability, reflecting the organization's focus on outcome measurement.

Geographic Service Area

Programs must serve residents of Orange, Osceola, and/or Seminole counties. County-specific grants may target particular geographic needs within the tri-county area.

Volunteer Review Criteria

Applications are scored by volunteer Community Investment Teams using consensus-based evaluation. Programs that clearly articulate outcomes, demonstrate financial stability, and show strategic community impact alignment score most favorably.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Jeff Hayward's emphasis on partnership—"We believe in the power of a team, the strength in collaboration"—suggests that organizations demonstrating collaborative approaches and integration with broader community systems may be viewed favorably.

Financial Transparency

With annual audits and Form 990 filings, HFUW maintains rigorous financial accountability standards. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate strong financial management and transparent reporting systems.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the ALICE population: Nearly 50% of Central Florida households struggle to afford basic necessities—demonstrate how your program serves this working but financially constrained population
  • Measurable outcomes are critical: With 130 volunteers scoring applications using consensus methods, data-driven results and evidence-based practices are essential for competitive proposals
  • Think tri-county impact: While single-county grants exist ($45,000-$195,000), consider how programs might scale across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties
  • Multi-year relationship building: As a community investment model rather than traditional grant-making, HFUW seeks ongoing partnerships—successful funding typically leads to annual renewal cycles
  • Leverage the Donor Choice program: Even if not selected for community investment funding, the Donor Choice designation can provide access to workplace giving campaigns
  • Volunteer committee timeline matters: Plan for the August-October review cycle with site visits and presentations—strong in-person advocacy during review periods matters
  • Strategic alignment over innovative programs: With $9.8 million distributed annually, HFUW prioritizes proven programs aligned with strategic priorities over experimental initiatives

References

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