United Way of Greater Chattanooga Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• EIN: 62-0565962
• Annual Giving: $4.7 million in community investments
• Total Revenue (2024): $10.8 million
• Grant Range: Up to $50,000 per fund annually
• Decision Time: Approximately 4 months (February application to June notification)
• Geographic Focus: Hamilton, Sequatchie, and Marion counties (TN); Walker, Dade, and Catoosa counties (GA)
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars
• Current Cycle: 2026-2027 grants (applications open January 2026)

Contact Details

Main Office 630 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402

Phone: (423) 752-0300 Email: info@unitedwaycha.org Website: unitedwaycha.org

Community Investments Team Email: communityinvestments@unitedwaycha.org Website: unitedwaycha.org/communityinvestments

Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Response Times: Messages monitored 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday-Friday

211 Helpline: Dial 2-1-1 for community resource assistance

Overview

United Way of Greater Chattanooga (EIN 62-0565962) has been serving the region since 1957, operating as a tax-exempt organization dedicated to driving transformational change for families and children. In 2024, the organization reported total revenue of $10,826,715 and distributed more than $4 million in community investments to 73 unique organizations across five counties in Tennessee and Georgia.

Guided by the 2030 Impact Agenda, United Way focuses on measurable change for ALICE families—those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. The organization operates through a dynamic funding model that balances immediate relief with long-term innovation, emphasizing two-generation approaches that address the needs of both caregivers and children.

In 2024, United Way marked record community impact with a 50% increase in services provided through funded nonprofits. The organization's 211 Helpline responded to over 57,000 requests, and the Emergency Assistance Program distributed $765,000 to support more than 3,400 community members with critical expenses including rental assistance, utility support, and transportation. The organization has earned multiple recognitions including a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, the 2024 Governor's Volunteer Stars Award for East Tennessee, and designation as The Best Place for Working Parents 2024 Business.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of Greater Chattanooga offers multiple funding streams designed to address different community needs:

Bridge Fund (Up to $50,000 annually) A flexible, rapid-response resource supporting organizations delivering essential services including food, shelter, healthcare, and transportation. These investments prioritize frequent referral partners of the 211 Helpline, ensuring families in crisis can access help when needed most. In recent funding cycles, the Bridge Fund supported 16 nonprofit organizations with a $600,000 commitment. Indirect/administrative costs up to 15% are allowed for this fund.

Recent Bridge Fund recipients include: A Step Ahead, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chatt Foundation, Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga, First Baptist Cares, Friends House Ministries, Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, La Paz, LifeSpring Community Health, Metropolitan Ministries, Northside Neighborhood House, The AIM Center, The Launch Pad, The Salvation Army, Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga, and YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga.

Catalyst Fund (Up to $50,000 annually) Designed to spark bold, new ideas, this fund empowers nonprofits to pilot breakthrough solutions for local families. The Catalyst Fund invests in programs that advance innovative two-generation approaches for ALICE households with children, supporting organizations pursuing new ideas, testing creative solutions, or expanding promising programs. The fund committed $686,000 to 21 local nonprofits in recent cycles.

Recent Catalyst Fund recipients include: Bethel Bible Village, BetterFi, Chattanooga Autism Center, Chattanooga Room at the Inn, Children's Advocacy Center, Communities in Schools of Catoosa County Inc., Dynamo Studios, East Lake Expression Engine, Friends of the Zoo, Hope for the Inner City, KELCURT Foundation, LIFT Youth Center Inc., Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, Purpose Point Learning Academy, Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Inc., RISE Chattanooga, SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop, Tennessee Nonprofit Network, The AIM Center, The Pop-Up Project, and Two Bikes Chattanooga.

Impact Cohort (Multi-year funding: 2025-2028) United Way's first-ever multi-year funding collaborative involves a three-year, $6.6 million investment in 19 local nonprofit partners. This partnership focuses on whole-family needs for ALICE families, with the three-year structure encouraging innovation, collaboration, and stability among participating organizations, allowing them to plan and scale impact over time.

The 19 Impact Cohort organizations include: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, Chambliss Center for Children, Chattanooga 2.0, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise LLC, Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, First Things First, Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, La Paz, LAUNCH, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, LifeSpring Community Health, Medicos Mission Fund, The Momentum Network, Northside Neighborhood House, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Signal Centers Inc., Siskin Children's Institute, and YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga.

Priority Areas

United Way funds programs aligned with three Focus Areas from their 2030 Impact Agenda:

1. Opportunities for All Children: Programs that provide early childhood support and development opportunities, ensuring children have access to quality education and enrichment from the start.

2. Economic Mobility for Families: Initiatives that help ALICE families achieve financial stability and upward economic movement, including workforce development, financial literacy, and access to critical services.

3. A More Connected Community: Projects that build social capital, strengthen community bonds, and create networks of support for families in need.

Key Priority Considerations:

• Programs must demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with the UWGC Impact Measurement Framework
• Organizations must clearly demonstrate direct, measurable benefit to ALICE households
• Two-generation approaches that support both caregivers and children are prioritized
• Programs should provide "the next best step" for a person or family
• Collaboration with other local organizations is valued
• Programs addressing 211 Helpline's most-requested needs: food access, housing support, and utility assistance

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions were not fully detailed in public documents, United Way has stated funding limitations:

Confirmed Restrictions:

• Organizations must be chartered prior to January 1, 2023 (no newer organizations)
• Geographic limitations: No funding available for certain North Georgia counties in the 2026-2027 cycle
• Programs must serve ALICE households; programs without demonstrable benefit to this population are not prioritized

Contact communityinvestments@unitedwaycha.org for complete details on funding exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

Lesley Scearce, President/CEO Total compensation: $263,076. Scearce leads the organization's strategic direction and serves on opinion pieces and podcasts discussing United Way's initiatives, including the "United for Working Families" program that encourages employers to support income-constrained Tennessee workers.

Management Team:

• Tammy McCallie - HR Director
• Jeff Giere - Relationship Manager
• Heather DeGaetano - Director of Grant Strategies (since September 2023)
• Abby Garrison - Executive Leadership Team member

Ken Jones serves as Board Chair. The organization maintains an independent board of 18 members who work closely with leadership to achieve strategic goals and make final funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way uses an open, competitive application process through Survey Monkey Apply™ with two phases:

Phase 1: Pre-Application/Letter of Intent (LOI) High-level introduction reviewed on a rolling basis to determine progression to full application.

Phase 2: Full Application Detailed program information, budget data, and outcome measures for approved LOI applicants.

Organizations may apply to multiple funds but must complete separate applications for each fund and geographical area.

Application Support: Weekly office hours during application period. Individual meetings available by request at communityinvestments@unitedwaycha.org.

2026-2027 Funding Cycle Timeline

• LOI Opens: January 12, 2026
• LOI Deadline: January 30, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
• LOI Notification: Rolling basis
• Full Application Opens: February 6, 2026
• Full Application Deadline: February 27, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
• Review Period: March-June 2026
• Funding Decisions: Late June 2026
• Funding Period: July 2026 – June 2027

Decision Timeline

Approximately 4 months from full application deadline to notification. Applications reviewed by 60+ trained volunteer reviewers using standardized rubrics, with recommendations from Community Investment Committee and final decisions by Board of Directors.

Success Rates

• 73 unique organizations funded in 2024 with $4+ million
• 68 organizations funded in previous year with $4.7 million
• Competitive process with volunteer review panel

Reapplication Policy

Contact communityinvestments@unitedwaycha.org for reapplication guidance.

Application Success Factors

Essential Elements for Success:

• Measurable Outcomes: Must align with UWGC Impact Measurement Framework with concrete metrics and tracking systems
• ALICE Focus: Clear, direct benefit to Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed households
• Two-Generation Approach: Programs addressing needs of both caregivers and children receive priority
• 211 Alignment: Bridge Fund prioritizes frequent 211 Helpline referral partners
• Collaboration: Demonstrate partnerships with other nonprofits, businesses, or government entities
• Innovation (Catalyst Fund): Show unique approaches, creative solutions, or program expansion
• Data-Driven Impact: Evidence of outcomes and capacity for measurement
• Geographic Presence: Established services and staff in target counties

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on ALICE families: Every application element must demonstrate measurable benefit to working families struggling with basic needs
• Choose the right fund: Bridge Fund for essential services; Catalyst Fund for innovative two-generation approaches
• Apply early: Rolling LOI review means earlier submission provides faster feedback
• Use available support: Attend weekly office hours and request individual meetings
• Plan for timeline: 4-month decision process with July funding start
• Demonstrate collaboration: Highlight partnerships that amplify impact
• Track for the future: Exceptional performance positions organizations for future multi-year Impact Cohort opportunities

References

1. United Way of Greater Chattanooga Official Website. Community Investments. https://unitedwaycha.org/our-work/community-investments/ (Accessed March 2026)

2. United Way of Greater Chattanooga. "Application Guidelines for UWGC Community Investments, 2026-2027." https://unitedwaycha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Updated-UWGC-Application-Guidelines-26-27.pdf (Accessed March 2026)

3. Cause IQ. "United Way of Greater Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/united-way-of-greater-chattanooga,620565962/ (Accessed March 2026)

4. United Way of Greater Chattanooga. "United Way of Greater Chattanooga Launches 2026-2027 Grant Cycle." https://unitedwaycha.org/united-way-of-greater-chattanooga-launches-2026-2027-grant-cycle-to-fuel-innovation-and-frontline-support/ (Accessed March 2026)

5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "United Way Of Greater Chattanooga." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/620565962 (Accessed March 2026)

6. United Way of Greater Chattanooga. "Record Community Impact in 2024 Annual Report." https://unitedwaycha.org/united-way-of-greater-chattanooga-unveils-record-community-impact-in-2024-annual-report/ (Accessed March 2026)

7. United Way of Greater Chattanooga. "First-Ever Multi-Year Funding Cohort." https://unitedwaycha.org/united-way-of-greater-chattanooga-launches-first-ever-multi-year-funding-cohort-to-help-local-families-thrive/ (Accessed March 2026)

8. Chattanooga Times Free Press. "United Way to distribute $6.6 million over three years." July 22, 2025. (Accessed March 2026)

9. Charity Navigator. "Rating for United Way of Greater Chattanooga." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/620565962 (Accessed March 2026)

10. Local3News. "United Way's 'Bridge Fund' invests $600,000." (Accessed March 2026)

11. Chattanooga Times Free Press. "United Way uses $686K to pilot ideas." September 13, 2025. (Accessed March 2026)