← Back to US Funders Directory

Metro United Way Inc

Annual Giving
$7.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
11%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,880,378 (2023)
  • Success Rate: 11% (based on Ready for K Alliance RFP data)
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months from application deadline
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: 7-county region (Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby counties in KY; Clark, Floyd, Harrison counties in IN)

Contact Details

Main Office: 334 E. Broadway Louisville, KY 40202

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4488 Louisville, KY 40204-0488

Phone: (502) 583-2821 Fax: (502) 583-0330 Helpline: 2-1-1 Website: metrounitedway.org

Grant Inquiries: Cindy Lehnert: cindy.lehnert@metrounitedway.org

Black L.O.V.E. Partnership: Trent Findley: trent.findley@metrounitedway.org

Overview

Founded in 1917, Metro United Way Inc has been serving the Greater Louisville community for over 107 years. With $7.88 million in annual grants distributed in 2023 across 111 awards, the organization unites community partners to advance equity and create opportunities across a 7-county region. Under the leadership of President and CEO Adria Johnson (appointed in 2021 as the first African American to lead the organization), Metro United Way has invested $48.8 million over four years to address systemic community challenges. Their ambitious goal is to lift 260,000 neighbors from hardship to hope by 2030, potentially adding 15,500 individuals to the workforce and creating a $776 million local economic impact. The organization maintains a 4-star rating with 100% score from Charity Navigator. Metro United Way works with 1,000+ nonprofit partners, 615 corporate partners, and coordinates efforts among 7,201 donors and 6,676 volunteers to address poverty through three strategic priorities: Thriving Kids, Strong Households, and Equitable Community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Black L.O.V.E. Philanthropic Partnership (BLPP):

  • $25,000 - $100,000
  • Multi-year, unrestricted funding for Black-led social change organizations
  • Two-step process: Request for Qualifications (RFQ) followed by full RFP for selected organizations
  • 68 nonprofits applied in recent cycle
  • Streamlined applications and reporting with listening and learning sessions

Ready for K Alliance:

  • RFP A: Mini grants up to $10,000 for new partners
  • RFP B: Up to $75,000 emphasizing collaboration
  • Recent cycle: 17 community partners funded totaling $342,106 from 154 proposals

Youth Social Action Project (YSAP) Grants:

  • Amount varies
  • Youth-led grant review process
  • 44 applications in 2024 (33% increase from previous year)
  • Young people select awardees

Youth Success Grants:

  • Two-year general operating grants
  • For nonprofits serving youth ages 6-24
  • Geographic focus on 7-county region

Targeted RFPs:

  • Various specialized funding opportunities announced periodically
  • Past examples: Supports for Human Trafficking Survivors, Safety Net Innovation
  • Amounts and focus vary by initiative

Priority Areas

Thriving Kids:

  • Early childhood development and developmental screening
  • Educational programs and college scholarships
  • Youth mentorship and leadership development
  • Programs addressing racial disparities in education

Strong Households:

  • Financial coaching and literacy
  • Housing assistance and homeownership pathways
  • Workforce development and job training
  • Basic needs assistance (food, utilities, medical)

Equitable Community:

  • BIPOC-led nonprofit support
  • Programs addressing systemic inequities
  • Civic engagement and voter registration
  • Transportation barriers removal
  • Health equity and services for high-risk populations

Geographic Priority:

  • Priority zip codes in west and south Louisville
  • Programs serving underserved communities
  • Focus on Smoketown, Russell, and California neighborhoods

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not extensively documented, Metro United Way prioritizes:

  • Organizations serving their 7-county service area
  • Financially healthy agencies with no history of fraud, negligence, or fiduciary irresponsibility
  • Programs aligned with their three strategic priorities
  • Organizations with strong diversity, equity, and inclusion practices

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Adria Johnson, President and CEO (appointed August 2021)

  • First African American to lead Metro United Way
  • Former community leader with focus on equity and transparency

Key quotes from Johnson:

  • "I'm humbled I was selected to lead one of the most respected and impactful community change organizations not only in our community, but in the entire country. When I told my dad the news he responded with, 'go make Louisville better' and that's what I intend to do."
  • "Metro United Way is committed to supporting an equitable community where everyone has a seat at the table, and opportunities are not determined by zip code"
  • "I think there's a healing that's needed in Louisville. I think there's just a level of honesty, and transparency that really that's critical for building trust in community"
  • "This organization's success, my success, is collective success. It takes all of us working together"
  • "We've been working to help individuals and families for 107 years but thanks to you, we're just getting started."

Jennifer Adrio, Executive Vice President Gil Betz, Chief Strategy Officer Maggie Elder, Vice President

Board of Directors (30 members)

Board Leadership:

  • Tommy Wallace (Board Chair) - Old National
  • Stephen Lukinovich (Vice Chair) - Cherry Bekaert
  • Patricia Carver (Treasurer) - Bellarmine University

Representative Board Members from:

  • LG&E KU
  • PNC Bank
  • Humana
  • Brown Forman
  • University of Louisville
  • Republic Bank
  • Norton Healthcare
  • Yum! Brands
  • Jefferson County Public Schools

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Metro United Way announces funding opportunities through periodic Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs). Applications are submitted through an online system requiring organizations to first request login credentials.

Typical Application Requirements:

  • IRS federally recognized tax-exempt not-for-profit status
  • Ability to comply with Metro United Way's Grant Agreement
  • Geographic presence in the 7-county service area
  • Financial health with no history of fraud or fiduciary irresponsibility

Application Windows: Vary by program; typically 3-4 weeks for submission once RFP is announced. Organizations should monitor metrounitedway.org for current opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Review Process: 2-3 months from application deadline to notification

Notification Method:

  • Organizations selected for funding: CEO/Executive Director notified directly
  • Unsuccessful applicants: Due to high volume, Metro United Way does not notify or provide feedback to organizations not selected
  • Public announcement: List of grants awarded published on website

Success Rates

Ready for K Alliance (documented example):

  • 154 proposals submitted
  • 17 organizations funded
  • Success rate: 11%
  • $5 million requested vs. $342,106 available

Overall Grant Activity:

  • 111 awards made in 2023
  • 114 awards made in 2022
  • 113 awards made in 2021

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is publicly documented. Organizations may apply to future RFPs regardless of previous application outcomes. Metro United Way accepts applications from organizations both with and without pre-existing funding relationships.

Application Success Factors

What Metro United Way Prioritizes

Alignment with Strategic Goals: Available funding goes to organizations whose work most closely aligns with Thriving Kids, Strong Households, and Equitable Community priorities. Reviewers use scoring rubrics - applicants should carefully review these when developing responses.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Organizations that prioritize DEI in policies, practices, and service delivery receive priority consideration. Metro United Way has made a strategic shift toward supporting BIPOC-led nonprofits through initiatives like Black L.O.V.E.

Innovation: Applicants seeking to provide innovative programming score higher - defined as changes to improve existing programming, new programs or ideas, or capacity investments that improve service delivery.

Organizational Capacity: Evaluations consider organizational capacity, community reach, program alignment, ability to engage and retain families in programming, and overall clarity, completeness, and feasibility of responses.

Geographic Impact: Programs serving priority zip codes in west and south Louisville through direct service delivery are prioritized.

Evidence of Effectiveness: Organizations with proven track records of effective programming and outcome tracking capabilities are favored. All funded partners receive resources and training for outcome tracking and storytelling.

Specific Program Insights

Black L.O.V.E. Partnership: Organizations must demonstrate strong alignment with L.O.V.E. principles (Live, Own, Vote, Excel) and have predominantly Black board members, executive leadership, staff, and constituents. The program emphasizes "asset-framing" and views Black-led organizations as drivers of social change.

Ready for K Alliance: Focus on collaboration between community organizations. Proposals demonstrating partnership approaches and family engagement strategies score well.

Youth Programs: Several programs include youth in grant-making decisions (e.g., Youth Social Action Project). Applications should demonstrate youth voice and leadership development components.

Recent Funded Examples

Youth & Education:

  • Tiger Strike Martial Arts Academy (mentor and self-defense for low-income children)
  • YouthBuild Louisville (education, job training, leadership for ages 18-24)
  • Writing programs for students ages 6-18 from under-resourced communities
  • BluePrint502 (education, job training, leadership with transportation support)

Financial & Workforce:

  • Apprisen (financial coaching, debt management, credit counseling)
  • Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and Louisville Urban League (workforce financial coaching)

Community Development:

  • Programs offering Music Academy, Family Learning & Tech Workforce Training
  • Russell Technology Business Incubator
  • Hispanic services (language classes, food, clothing, advocacy, translations)

Health & Family Services:

  • Maternity programs addressing racial disparities in maternal/infant health
  • Programs for economically disadvantaged individuals (rent, housing, utilities, medical, bereavement)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Alignment is critical: Ensure your work directly supports one or more of the three strategic priorities (Thriving Kids, Strong Households, Equitable Community). Use Metro United Way's language and framework in your application.

  • DEI matters significantly: Organizations with strong diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in policies, staff, board, and service delivery receive priority. Document your DEI commitment explicitly.

  • Geographic focus counts: Programs serving priority zip codes in west and south Louisville, particularly Smoketown, Russell, and California neighborhoods, align with current priorities.

  • Competition is intense: With an 11% success rate in documented examples and $5 million in requests for $342,106 available funding, applications must be exceptionally strong and aligned.

  • Study the scoring rubric: Metro United Way provides scoring rubrics for RFPs. Successful applicants carefully review these and ensure their responses directly address each scoring criterion.

  • Innovation attracts funding: Demonstrate how your approach improves existing programming, introduces new solutions, or builds organizational capacity for better service delivery.

  • Outcome tracking is expected: All funded partners receive training in outcome tracking and storytelling. Show you have systems to measure and report impact.

  • Monitor opportunities actively: Funding opportunities are announced periodically with short application windows (3-4 weeks). Check metrounitedway.org regularly and sign up for notifications.

  • Don't expect feedback if not selected: Due to high volume, unsuccessful applicants won't receive notification or feedback. Use this to calibrate expectations and focus energy on strong initial applications.

  • Multi-year funding available: Through programs like Black L.O.V.E., Metro United Way offers multi-year unrestricted funding - emphasize your long-term sustainability and strategy.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory