United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9.1 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000
• Geographic Focus: Seven parishes in Southeast Louisiana (Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington)

Contact Details

• Website: unitedwaysela.org
• Phone: 504-822-5540
• Email: Grants@UnitedWaySELA.org
• Office: 2401 Canal St., New Orleans, LA

Overview

Founded in 1952, United Way of Southeast Louisiana is a 4-star Charity Navigator rated nonprofit organization serving seven parishes in Southeast Louisiana. With total annual grant-making of approximately $9.1 million and total assets of $19.2 million, the organization focuses on eradicating poverty through their Blueprint for Prosperity initiative. Under the leadership of President and CEO Michael Williamson since 2013, United Way of Southeast Louisiana has set a bold goal to place 100,000 individuals living below the ALICE Threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) on a pathway to prosperity by 2035. The organization operates multiple grant programs targeting health, education, economic stability, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Blueprint for Prosperity Programmatic Grants: Up to $75,000 (12-month funding period, supporting 65 programs across 57 agencies)
• Collaborative Implementation Grants: Up to $100,000 (three-year funding cycle July 2024-June 2027)
• Collaborative Infrastructure-Backbone Grants: Up to $50,000 (three-year funding)
• Collaborative Planning Grants: Up to $25,000 (three-year funding)
• RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grants: Up to $25,000 (youth mental health, addiction prevention, trauma-informed support)
• Summer Impact Grants: Variable amounts (youth programming ages 11-24)

All applications submitted through FLUXX online portal with varying deadlines by program.

Priority Areas

• Health & Well-Being
• Safety & Justice
• Space & Place
• Learning
• Economic Stability
• Youth Voice, Agency and Identity (additional priority for youth programs)

What They Don't Fund

• For-profit organizations
• Religious organizations (for primarily religious purposes)
• Educational institutions (schools/universities)
• Governmental entities
• Political organizations
• Fraternal organizations
• Animal welfare organizations
• Capital campaigns, endowments, land purchases
• Major construction or renovations

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Michael Williamson (since 2013, previously COO from 2009, 30+ years in United Way system)

Board Leadership:

• Elizabeth Ellison-Frost - Board Chair (Chalmette Refining, LLC-PBF Energy)
• Toya Barnes-Teamer, Ph.D. - Board Secretary (Teamer Strategy Group, LLC)
• Ron McClain - Governance Chair & Immediate Past Board Chair (Institute of Mental Hygiene)

According to CEO Michael Williamson: "We're working to ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to thrive, not just survive."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

• All applications submitted through FLUXX online portal
• Organizations must register on FLUXX before applying
• Two-part process: Letter of Intent (2 pages maximum), then full application if invited
• Pre-application support available at Grants@UnitedWaySELA.org
• Application deadlines vary by grant program

Decision Timeline

• Typical review process: 3-4 months from submission to decision
• Notification provided via FLUXX portal and email

Success Rates

• 2023-2026 Blueprint for Prosperity cycle: 65 programs funded across 57 agencies
• RESOLVE NOLA 2024-2025: 13 of applicant organizations funded

Reapplication Policy

• No appeals process; all grant decisions are final
• Unsuccessful applicants can contact Grants@UnitedWaySELA.org for feedback
• Current grantees can reapply at end of funding cycle based on evaluation

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way of Southeast Louisiana's funding patterns and priorities:

• Demonstrate clear alignment with Blueprint for Prosperity priorities and serving ALICE households
• Show measurable outcomes in one of four areas: Stability Today, Prosperity Tomorrow, Personal Wellness, or Vibrant Communities
• Include strong collaboration components - they have dedicated funding streams for collaborative initiatives
• For youth programs, explicitly connect to the New Orleans Youth Master Plan and demonstrate youth voice/agency
• Provide evidence-based programming with clear metrics for success
• Organizations serving Orleans Parish have additional funding opportunities through RESOLVE NOLA and Summer Impact Grants
• Recent successful grantees include organizations focused on wraparound services, financial literacy, youth development, and mental health support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• United Way of Southeast Louisiana strongly prioritizes collaborative approaches - consider partnership opportunities to strengthen applications
• Focus on serving ALICE households (working families below cost of living) rather than just those in poverty
• Youth programming has multiple funding streams - emphasize youth voice and agency in applications
• Orleans Parish organizations have access to additional grant opportunities beyond the general programs
• The organization values evidence-based programs with clear, measurable outcomes aligned to their four Blueprint for Prosperity outcomes
• Registration on FLUXX platform required before applying - allow time for this administrative step
• Letter of Intent stage is critical - keep to 2-page maximum and clearly articulate alignment with priorities

References

• United Way of Southeast Louisiana Official Website (unitedwaysela.org) - Accessed February 2026
• United Way of Southeast Louisiana Grant Programs Page - Accessed February 2026
• Charity Navigator Profile for United Way of Southeast Louisiana - Accessed February 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - United Way of Southeast Louisiana Form 990 (2020) - Accessed February 2026
• United Way of Southeast Louisiana 2023-2026 Blueprint for Prosperity Grantees List - Accessed February 2026
• RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grants Press Release (2024) - Accessed February 2026
• United Way of Southeast Louisiana Collaborative Grants RFP (2024-2027) - Accessed February 2026