United Way Miami Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $63,229,912 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $153,000 (typical range)
• Geographic Focus: Miami-Dade County, Florida
• Number of Awards: 509 grants awarded in 2024

Contact Details

Website: https://unitedwaymiami.org

Grant Portal: https://uwmdgrants.communityforce.com

Main Office: Miami, FL

Phone: Available through website contact page

For Grant Questions: Visit grant opportunities page at unitedwaymiami.org/grant-opportunities

Overview

United Way Miami Inc (EIN: 59-0830840) was established in 1957 and has been serving Miami-Dade County since 1924, making it one of Miami's longest-standing nonprofits. The organisation distributed substantial grants during 2024 across 509 awards to partner agencies. United Way Miami functions as a convener, strategic funder, service provider, awareness builder, and influencer focused on improving lives across Miami-Dade County. Since August 2022, the organisation has been led by President and CEO Symeria T. Hudson, the first Black woman to serve in this role. Under her leadership, United Way Miami has focused on four strategic pillars: strengthening the organisation's core through people and culture; reestablishing a strong community position; adapting to the new economy through technology and education; and enhancing relationships with Miami's giving community. The organisation serves more than 187,000 individuals annually across their Core Four pillars: Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities, and Economic Mobility (H.E.R.E.).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

United Way Miami operates through a Response Fund grant process with targeted Request for Proposals (RFPs) in specific focus areas. Current opportunities include:

Education RFP

• Amount: Up to $153,000 per year
• Focus: Programmes working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system and related juvenile diversion systems
• Duration: One fiscal year beginning July 1
• Application Method: Fixed deadline (applications typically open late January; close mid-February)

Health & Wellbeing RFP

• Amount: Up to $135,000 per year
• Focus Areas: Three separate grant opportunities
  • Healthy Older Adults: Nutrition, home-based and community-based support, and caregiver respite for underserved older adults in Miami-Dade Commission Districts 1, 2, 3, or 9
  • Oral Health: Preventive screenings/cleaning and/or restorative treatment, potentially with educational components
  • Healthy Lifestyles: Healthy eating and physical activity programmes for students in grades K-8

Financial Stability Programmes

• Ongoing RFPs in financial stability area
• Programmes must integrate with their Center for Financial Stability
• Focus on employment, small business development, legal services, behavioural health, and housing
• Recent funded programmes: $90,000 for workforce development, $70,000 for economic empowerment

United for Healthy Starts Initiative

• Home visitation and wrap-around services tailored to each family's needs
• Designed to help families have strong, healthy starts
• Funded in partnership with HCA Healthcare Foundation

Priority Areas

United Way Miami focuses on four main impact areas (H.E.R.E.):

Health & Wellbeing

• Services for older adults including congregate and home-delivered meals
• Oral health services (preventive and restorative)
• Healthy lifestyle programmes for K-8 students
• Home visitation and family support

Education

• Early childhood education programmes
• School-aged education (K-12)
• Programmes for youth in juvenile justice/diversion systems
• After-school and summer programmes
• College and career awareness initiatives

Resilient Communities

• Community-based support services
• Programmes addressing emerging community needs

Economic Mobility (Financial Stability)

• UpSkill Miami workforce development programme (training in healthcare, transportation, construction trades, energy, aviation, and education)
• Center for Financial Stability services (financial coaching, tax preparation, benefits enrolment, employment assistance)
• Small business development
• Housing support
• Legal services
• Behavioural health services

Equity and Diversity Focus United Way Miami prioritises organisations led by people of colour and those explicitly focusing on advancing equity with communities of colour, promoting grantee diversity and equitable outcomes.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, United Way Miami has clear requirements:

• Only accepts applications from IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organisations
• Focuses exclusively on Miami-Dade County programmes
• Operates through targeted RFPs rather than open grant applications
• Takes a non-partisan, issue-focused approach to policy work

Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership

Symeria T. Hudson, President and CEO (since August 2022)

• First Black woman to serve as United Way Miami's president and CEO
• Named 2024 Influential Business Woman by South Florida Business Journal
• Led 100-day listening tour with over 250 interactions with supporters, donors, staff, and agency partners
• Quote on community challenges: "The latest data underscores the urgent reality of just how many families in our community are facing financial instability."

Gladys Reed, Chief Philanthropy Officer

• Oversees fundraising, donor engagement, and corporate partnerships
• More than 30 years of experience in banking, relationship management, and philanthropy

Board of Directors

United Way Miami maintains a diverse board that:

• Serves as the key connection between the organisation and corporate/individual donors
• Reviews conflict-of-interest policies and completes disclosure statements
• Ensures inclusive recruitment resulting in diversity of thought and leadership
• Conducts formal written self-assessments of performance
• Features Campaign Co-Chairs and Cabinet members who drive successful outcomes

Governance Standards The organisation receives high ratings from charity watchdog organisations for efficient and effective operations and maintains strong accountability practices.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way Miami uses a competitive RFP (Request for Proposals) process:

1. Eligibility Check: Confirm your organisation is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) charitable organisation
2. Application Portal: Access through https://uwmdgrants.communityforce.com
3. Application Components:
   • Agency application (one per applicant organisation)
   • Programme application (one for each programme submission)
4. Application Method: Fixed deadlines for specific RFP cycles

Typical Application Timeline

• Applications typically open late January
• Applications typically close mid-February
• Funding typically begins July 1

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Based on typical RFP cycles, organisations can expect:

• Application period: Approximately 3 weeks
• Time from application close to funding start: Approximately 4.5 months
• Notification method: Not specified in available materials

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, United Way Miami awarded:

• 509 grants in 2024
• 529 grants in 2023
• 472 grants in 2022

The organisation invests in over 100 programmes across more than 60 impact partner agencies, suggesting competitive but accessible opportunities for qualified organisations.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Organisations should contact United Way Miami directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way Miami's strategic priorities and leadership guidance, successful applications should:

Demonstrate Equity and Community Impact

• United Way Miami prioritises organisations led by people of colour and those explicitly focusing on advancing equity
• Applications should describe how programmes lead to equitable outcomes for communities of colour
• Focus on addressing specific disparities in Miami-Dade County

Address Community Priorities

• Align with United Way Miami's Core Four pillars (H.E.R.E.)
• Target underserved populations, particularly in Miami-Dade Commission Districts 1, 2, 3, or 9 for relevant programmes
• Address pressing challenges including rising housing costs, wage disparities, affordability, and financial instability

Balance Systemic and Direct Service

• United Way Miami values a mix of investments focusing on long-term, systemic, and equitable change alongside programmes providing direct services
• Programmes addressing community conditions and specific disparities can deliver equitable change at broader scale

Show Community Engagement

• Demonstrate engagement with diverse community members
• Show how local organisations inform programme design and implementation
• Evidence of community priorities reflected in programme approach

Integration with United Way Services

• For Financial Stability programmes, show integration potential with the Center for Financial Stability
• Demonstrate awareness of and potential collaboration with other United Way Miami initiatives

Examples of Funded Programmes Recent funded programmes provide insight into what United Way Miami values:

• Community Partnership Schools: $55,000 for activities boosting student academic performance and college/career awareness
• Whole School Whole Child at Redlands Middle School: $50,000
• YouthPride: $25,000 for after-school and summer programmes
• OYC/Youth Development Programme: $41,800

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Target specific RFPs: United Way Miami operates through targeted Response Fund grants rather than general applications; carefully review each RFP's specific focus and requirements
• Emphasise equity: Demonstrate explicit focus on advancing equity and serving communities of colour, particularly organisations led by people of colour
• Geographic specificity: For certain programmes (e.g., Healthy Older Adults), target specific Miami-Dade Commission Districts (1, 2, 3, or 9)
• 501(c)(3) requirement is absolute: Only IRS-designated charitable organisations are eligible; no exceptions
• Meet tight deadlines: Application windows are brief (approximately 3 weeks); prepare materials in advance
• Balance approach: Show how your programme provides both direct services and contributes to systemic, long-term change
• Know the landscape: Demonstrate understanding of Miami-Dade County's challenges, particularly financial instability affecting working families
• Consider integration: For Financial Stability programmes, explore how your work could integrate with United Way Miami's existing services

References

• United Way Miami Foundation Directory Profile - Candid
• Grant Opportunities - United Way Miami official website
• United Way Miami on Cause IQ - Financial and organisational data
• United Way Miami GuideStar Profile - Nonprofit database
• United Way Miami on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 filings
• United Way Miami 990 Report on Instrumentl - Grant activity data
• Meet the CEO - Symeria Hudson biography
• Senior Leadership Team - Leadership profiles
• The Way Forward: Building a People-Centered Strategic Approach - CEO's 100-day report
• Board of Directors - Governance information
• United Way Miami Launches Annual Community Campaign - Recent news
• Symeria Hudson, 1st Black woman to serve as United Way Miami's CEO - WSVN 7News
• Funded Programmes - Examples of funded education programmes
• United Way Equity Framework - Fundraising, Resource Allocation & Grantmaking - United Way equity principles
• Accountable to You - Transparency and accountability information
• Charity Navigator Rating for United Way Miami - Independent charity evaluation

Information accessed December 2024