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United Way of Greater Houston

Annual Giving
$34.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $4.2M
Decision Time
3mo

United Way of Greater Houston

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $34,673,364 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed April-June annually
  • Grant Range: $846 - $4,151,388
  • Geographic Focus: Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties in Texas

Contact Details

Website: https://unitedwayhouston.org
Phone: (713) 685-2300
Email: uofgreaterhouston@unitedwayhouston.org
Address: 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77007
Grant Application Inquiries: communitybuilder@unitedwayhouston.org

Overview

United Way of Greater Houston (EIN 74-1167964) is a century-old nonprofit organization that has evolved its mission to focus specifically on serving the region's most vulnerable populations. The organization distributes over $34 million annually in grants to more than 160 nonprofit partners across a four-county region. In their 2023-24 campaign, United Way raised $56 million in community contributions plus an additional $7 million from foundation grants, bequests, and sponsorships.

Under its "Second Century Vision" strategic plan, launched around its centennial in 2021, United Way has narrowed its focus to champion the working poor—specifically ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) who represent 31% of the region's households, plus the 14% living below the federal poverty level. The organization made 223 grant awards in 2024 and 227 awards in 2023. In October 2024, United Way received recognition with a $3 million grant from Houston Endowment to create the Government Funding Initiative, launching in 2025 to help nonprofits access public funding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of Greater Houston offers three-year funding cycles to eligible nonprofit social service organizations through their Single Investment Process. The organization categorizes investments into three main streams:

  • Emergency/Safety Net Services: Aid for unexpected challenges and basic needs
  • Financial Stability Programs: Services that help families achieve sustainable financial independence (grant amounts vary widely from $846 to over $4 million)
  • Pilot and Demonstration Projects: Unique programs related to financial stability for low-income populations

Applications reopen in 2027 for the next funding cycle.

Priority Areas

United Way's investments focus on five interconnected service areas:

Financial Stability (Primary Focus)
Programs that help ALICE families and those in poverty move toward economic independence, including employment training, financial coaching, and asset building.

Early Childhood & Youth Development
Programs like United Way Bright Beginnings (partnership with ExxonMobil since 2002, serving 15,000+ children) that prepare children for school success and support youth pathways.

Health Care
Physical and behavioral health services that support families' ability to achieve financial stability.

Basic Needs/Safety Net Services
Support services including the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, disaster recovery, food assistance, and emergency aid.

Support for Those Escaping Violence
Services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Geographic Focus

Services must benefit residents in the four-county coverage area: Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties. United Way operates service centers in each county and serves 12 priority regions across this area. Last year, they touched the lives of more than 2.4 million neighbors in this region.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed on their website, the organization's strategic focus clearly prioritizes:

  • Programs serving ALICE families and those below the federal poverty level
  • Services delivered within their four-county service area
  • Organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Programs aligned with one or more of their five priority areas

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Amanda M. McMillian - President and Chief Executive Officer (since May 2020)
McMillian succeeded Anna M. Babin who led the organization for 14 years. She previously served as executive vice president and general counsel at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, where she led legal, human resources, and real estate functions. McMillian serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership and the Board of Trustees of Southwestern University.

Key Quote: "I'm humbled and thrilled by the opportunity to help amplify the tremendous work that United Way and our partner agencies are doing every day – whether it's providing basic needs through our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, or helping families create and sustain long-term financial stability."

Senior Officers:

  • Angel Harris - Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer
  • Bart Ferrell - Vice President and Chief Strategy and Finance Officer
  • Margaret Oser - Vice President, Mission and Strategy
  • Mary Vazquez - Vice President, Community Outreach

Board of Trustees

Board Chair: Steve Stephens, Chief Executive Officer, Amegy Bank

Executive Committee Members include representatives from major corporations:

  • Dorothy Ables (Former CAO, Spectra Energy Corp)
  • Chris Champion (VP, Chief Accounting Officer, Occidental Petroleum)
  • Willie Chiang (Chairman and CEO, Plains)
  • Staale Gjervik (President, ExxonMobil Supply Chain)
  • Liam Mallon (Retired, ExxonMobil Upstream Company)
  • Lilyanne McClean (SVP Global Public Policy, FuelCell Energy)
  • Julie Sudduth (EVP/Regional President, PNC Bank)
  • Eric Tanzberger (SVP and CFO, Service Corporation International)

The Board includes 40+ additional trustees representing major corporations and community organizations throughout Greater Houston.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: Applications for the next funding cycle will reopen in 2027. United Way conducts a cyclical application process with multi-year funding commitments.

When applications are open:

  1. United Way invites eligible nonprofit social service organizations to apply for three-year funding
  2. Applications are submitted through their Single Investment Process
  3. Organizations can sign up at unitedwayhouston.org to receive notifications about future funding opportunities

Current Status: As of December 2023, the funding application cycle is closed and will reopen in 2027.

Decision Timeline

Review Period: April - June (annual review cycle)
Volunteer Review: Community volunteers review applications over 10-15 hours during this period
Process: Independent review by trained Investment Volunteers who assess alignment with United Way's Single Investment Process criteria

Investment decisions are backed by research, made by trained community volunteers, and monitored through ongoing stewardship.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

Equity Focus: All investments are evaluated on how organizations incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into policies, practices, and service delivery.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Programs must serve ALICE families and/or those below the federal poverty level in the four-county service area.

Data and Outcomes: United Way uses the Integrated Client Journey (ICJ) technology platform to track progress and make data-driven investment decisions. Partner agencies use this system to track client outcomes.

Program Quality: Demonstrated effectiveness in delivering services that move families toward financial stability.

Success Rates

United Way made 223 awards in 2024 and 227 awards in 2023 from their pool of applicants. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed. The organization invests in over 160 quality services throughout the community through their partner network.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly documented. Given the three-year funding cycle and the reopening of applications in 2027, unsuccessful applicants from previous cycles may apply when the next cycle opens.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

1. ALICE Focus is Critical
United Way's entire Second Century Vision centers on serving ALICE families and those in poverty. McMillian stated the organization exists to be "the champion for the area's most vulnerable families and individuals: the working poor, or ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), and those who fall below the poverty level." Programs must demonstrate clear benefits to this population.

2. Integrated Service Model
The organization values partners who can work within their Integrated Client Journey framework. This model "unites more than 100 nonprofits to provide services" and uses technology to track client progress. Partners who can collaborate within a networked approach and share data through the ICJ platform align well with United Way's model.

3. Financial Stability Pathways
Programs should demonstrate how they help families move from crisis/basic needs toward sustainable financial independence. The THRIVE program model (launched 2008) serves as the blueprint: personalized coaching, income increase, debt management, career advancement, savings building, and asset acquisition.

4. Equity and Inclusion
All investments are explicitly evaluated on DEI integration. Organizations must show how equity is woven into policies, practices, and service delivery—not just as an add-on but as fundamental to operations.

5. Data-Driven Outcomes
United Way emphasizes being "data- and outcomes-driven." Partners should be prepared to demonstrate measurable results, participate in outcome tracking through the ICJ system, and use data to improve service delivery.

Examples of Funded Partners

United Way funds over 150 partners across diverse service areas, including:

  • Financial Stability: Capital IDEA (low-wage to living-wage career pathways), Covenant Community Capital (financial coaching, no-interest loans)
  • Health: AccessHealth (integrated family healthcare), Legacy Community Health, Spring Branch Community Health Center
  • Youth Development: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, AVANCE-Houston (school readiness)
  • Housing: SEARCH Homeless Services, Avenue CDC (affordable housing), Coalition for the Homeless
  • Violence Prevention: Houston Area Women's Center, The Landing (human trafficking survivors)
  • Basic Needs: Multiple agencies including BakerRipley, Catholic Charities, Interfaith Ministries, local food banks and assistance ministries

Strategic Guidance

Geographic Specificity Matters: With 12 priority regions across four counties, demonstrating deep knowledge of and engagement with specific Houston-area communities strengthens applications.

Collaboration Over Isolation: The integrated service model means United Way values organizations that can work as part of a network rather than operating in silos. Show willingness to coordinate with other partners.

Focus on Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms: While safety net services are valued, programs that help families break cycles of poverty and achieve long-term stability align most closely with the strategic vision.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Applications won't reopen until 2027 - Use this time to build relationships, demonstrate outcomes, and potentially participate as a volunteer reviewer to understand the process from the inside
  • ALICE families are the bull's eye - If your programs don't clearly serve the 31% experiencing ALICE status or the 14% below poverty, you're likely not aligned with current priorities
  • Three-year funding creates stability - Successful applicants receive multi-year commitments, making the competitive process worthwhile for organizations that can demonstrate sustained impact
  • Equity is non-negotiable - Every investment is evaluated on DEI integration; organizations should be prepared to articulate specific policies and practices, not just intentions
  • Data infrastructure matters - Partners need capacity to participate in the Integrated Client Journey system and demonstrate outcomes through data
  • Volunteer engagement can provide insider knowledge - Investment Volunteers review applications during April-June; participating as a reviewer (10-15 hours) provides valuable insight into evaluation criteria
  • Geographic boundaries are firm - Programs must serve Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery, and/or Waller counties; regional or state-level organizations should clearly articulate county-specific impact

References

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