United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $27,786,388 (2022, per 990 filing)
• Total Distribution: $34,495,453 (2023)
• Decision Time: Varies by programme (mini-grants: ~6 weeks)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $440,000
• Geographic Focus: Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties, Florida
• Partner Agencies: Nearly 100
• Programmes Supported: Over 260

Contact Details

Address: 7273 Concourse Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Phone: 239-433-2000
Website: www.unitedwaylee.org
Partner Agency Contact: Angela Fischler, Community Impact Director (AngelaF@UnitedWayLee.org)

Overview

Founded in 1957 and tax-exempt since May 1964 (EIN: 59-1005169), United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is one of Southwest Florida's largest charitable organisations. The organisation distributed $34,495,453 in grants in 2023, making 123 awards to partner agencies across three counties. With a 13-year track record of maintaining a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and an efficiency rate of 96.4% (nearly all donations going directly to programmes), the organisation has met its annual fundraising campaign goal for 31 consecutive years. United Way focuses on fund distribution, community building, volunteer advancement, and information referral services through their 211 helpline. The organisation has demonstrated resilience and consistent growth, with 2023 showing a 208.4% increase in total giving versus 2021 (partially due to Hurricane Ian recovery efforts).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Impact Partner Agency Funding (Major Programme)

• Grant Range: $230,000 - $440,000 (typical range)
• Application: Annual basis through online portal
• Payment: Quarterly distributions for grants over $3,000
• Process: Applications accepted annually from eligible, locally-based organisations

Mini-Grant Programme

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $10,000 per nonprofit or programme
• Application: Fixed deadline cycle (applications typically open in February)
• Purpose: Promote wider impacts that increase capacity for community care
• Timeline: Applications typically open in early February, close in mid-March, recipients announced approximately two weeks later, funds distributed shortly after signed contracts received

Small Grant Programme

• Grant Amount: Up to $3,000
• Application: Simplified one-page application process

Priority Areas

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades focuses on five core impact areas:

1. Meeting Critical Needs - Basic needs including food, clothing, hygiene items, and emergency assistance
2. Healthy Community - Healthcare access, mental health services, substance abuse treatment
3. Youth Opportunity - Education programmes, mentoring, after-school activities, expanded learning opportunities
4. Financial Security - VITA tax preparation, financial literacy, employment services
5. Community Resiliency - Disaster response and recovery, crisis intervention

Note: The Mini-Grant Programme specifically focuses on three of these areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security.

The organisation also runs direct programmes including:

• 211 Information and Referral Service - Community helpline
• Community Partnership Schools - Located at Franklin Park Elementary, Colonial Elementary, and Fort Myers Middle Academy (providing expanded learning opportunities and basic needs resources)
• VITA Tax Programme - Free tax preparation services (8,100 returns filed in 2023, generating $8.4M in refunds)
• Gifts-in-Kind Programme - Distribution of donated goods (over 50,000 toys distributed during Christmas season)

What They Don't Fund

While complete exclusions are detailed in their Fund Distribution Handbook, basic restrictions include:

• Programmes operating outside of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties
• Organisations without 501(c)(3) status or less than two years old (for mini-grants)
• Programmes that do not demonstrate measurable community impact
• Incomplete applications
• Programmes that do not align with United Way's core pillars

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Interim President and CEO: Hannah Pelle

Senior Staff:

• Angela Fischler - Community Impact Director (primary contact for partner agency applications)
• Keila Santiago - 211 Director
• Lugeenya Blackstock - Accounting Director
• Madison - Vice President, Community Impact and Disaster Response
• Lisette Quintero - Executive Assistant

Major Donor Groups

The organisation has strong support from:

• Alexis de Tocqueville Society - Donors contributing $10,000+ annually (raised $5,014,498 in 2023-24, representing 46% of campaign total)
• Keel Club - 479 individual donors giving $1,000+ annually
• Pacesetters - 154 early campaign contributors

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Partner Agency Funding (Major Grants): Applications for membership with United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades are accepted on an annual basis from eligible, locally-based organisations who meet criteria requirements outlined in the Fund Distribution Handbook. Organisations must:

1. Contact Angela Fischler (AngelaF@UnitedWayLee.org) to discuss eligibility
2. Review the Fund Distribution Handbook for minimum eligibility requirements
3. Submit complete application through online portal (portal access is restricted until official opening date)
4. Existing partner agencies receive login credentials in advance

For Mini-Grant Programme:

1. Ensure organisation has 501(c)(3) status at least two years old
2. Submit application during open period (typically February-March)
3. Committee of local business professionals reviews applications
4. Recipients announced approximately 2 weeks after close
5. Funds distributed shortly after signed contracts received

Decision Timeline

Partner Agency Funding: Annual review cycle with Fund Distribution Timeline published in advance

Mini-Grant Programme (typical cycle):

• Early February - Applications Open
• Mid-March - Applications Close
• Late March - Recipients Announced (approximately 2 weeks)
• Early April - Signed Contracts Due
• Early April - Distribution of Funds (approximately 6 weeks from application open to distribution)
• Following February - Impact Report Due

Notification: Direct contact to applicants; awards publicly announced

Success Rates

In 2023, United Way made 123 awards, up from 109 awards in 2022 and 98 awards in 2021. This represents a growing trend in both number of grants and total distribution. Since 2015, the organisation has awarded 753 individual grants totalling $72,679,470.

Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed, but the organisation supports nearly 100 partner agencies on an ongoing basis, suggesting that successful applicants often receive multi-year support.

Reapplication Policy

Mini-Grants:

• Applicants can only receive ONE grant per cycle
• Organisations are eligible to receive grants up to three times for the same programme
• Previous grant recipients must submit an impact report by the specified deadline
• Failure to submit impact report will disqualify organisation from future consideration

Partner Agency Funding:

• Annual reapplication required through the standard process
• Funded agencies may vary dependent on programme or agency performance and operational status

Application Success Factors

Review Criteria

Applications are evaluated by local community volunteers who carefully review:

1. Community Needs Assessment - Demonstrated need for programmes in the region
2. Programme Effectiveness - Agency's effectiveness at providing services
3. Impact Measurement - Analysis of funding impact in meeting community needs
4. Outcomes and Results - Clear, measurable outcomes aligned with United Way pillars

Final recommendations are approved by the United Way Board of Directors.

Alignment with Strategic Focus

Successful applicants demonstrate strong alignment with United Way's core impact areas. For the Mini-Grant Programme specifically, alignment with one or more of the three supported pillars is essential:

• Healthy Community
• Youth Opportunity
• Financial Security

Organisations should clearly articulate how their programmes address one or more of these areas with measurable outcomes.

Geographic Requirement

All funding must directly serve residents of Lee, Hendry, or Glades Counties. For mini-grants, even if a programme is not based in these counties, funds can ONLY be used to serve residents of these counties.

Organisational Requirements

• Valid 501(c)(3) status (at least two years old for mini-grants)
• Local operations or clear local service delivery
• Demonstrated organisational capacity and stability
• Measurable impact metrics
• Complete and timely reporting

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on partner agency characteristics:

• Evidence-based programmes with proven track records
• Collaborative approaches that work with other community organisations
• Scalable impact - programmes that can serve many people efficiently
• Clear metrics - specific, measurable outcomes (e.g., "8,100 tax returns filed" or "18,985 hours of expanded learning")
• Community validation - local business professional reviewers value community-recognised needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Demonstrate measurable impact - United Way values data-driven results. Use specific metrics showing how many people you serve and what outcomes they achieve.

2. Align with the appropriate pillars - For mini-grants, clearly map your programme to one or more of the three supported areas (Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, or Financial Security). For partner agency funding, alignment with any of the five core areas may be appropriate.

3. Start with mini-grants - If you're not currently a partner agency, the $5,000-$10,000 mini-grant programme offers an accessible entry point with a clear application timeline.

4. Build local relationships first - Contact Angela Fischler early to discuss your programme's fit before investing time in a full application.

5. Emphasise local service - All funding must serve Lee, Hendry, or Glades County residents. Be explicit about your local impact.

6. Plan for the annual cycle - Partner agency applications are accepted annually. Monitor their website for timeline announcements and prepare well in advance.

7. Deliver on reporting - Impact reports are mandatory and failure to submit disqualifies you from future consideration. This organisation values accountability.

References

• United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Official Website
• Partner Agencies Directory
• Become a Partner Page
• Mini-Grant Application Information
• Current Campaign Information
• United Way of Lee County - Instrumentl 990 Report
• United Way of Lee County - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• United Way of Lee County - Candid Foundation Directory
• Charity Navigator Rating for United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades
• 2024-25 Campaign Kickoff - Fort Myers Chamber
• Staff Directory
• United Way names interim president and CEO

All sources accessed December 2024.