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United Way For Greater Austin

Annual Giving
$16.8M
Grant Range
$8K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16.8 million (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 2 months (from application close to notification)
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $56,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Travis and Williamson Counties, Texas

Contact Details

Website: www.unitedwayaustin.org

Phone: (512) 472-6267

Email: Hello@uwatx.org

Grants Portal: unitedwayatx.smapply.io

Address: Austin, TX

Overview

United Way for Greater Austin (EIN: 74-1193439) was established in 1952 as a federated fund to address community challenges in the Greater Austin area. The organization operates with a mission to "break economic barriers and build opportunity for all" in Travis and Williamson counties. With revenue of approximately $16.8 million and net assets of $16.2 million, United Way strategically invests in three core areas: education, health, and financial stability. The organization serves as the backbone for two major community coalitions—Success By 6 Coalition and 2-Gen Coalition—which align the efforts of multiple organizations toward shared goals. United Way makes three-year grant commitments to partner organizations in Travis County and one-year commitments in Williamson County, investing millions of dollars annually through Community Investment Grants (CIGs). The organization emphasizes collective impact, with 87% of every dollar going directly to programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Investment Grants (CIGs): $10,000 - $56,000+ (three-year commitments in Travis County; one-year in Williamson County)

  • Applications accepted through periodic RFPs (every three years)
  • Next RFP expected in Fall 2025 for funding beginning July 1, 2026

Mini-Grants: Up to $7,500

  • Support specific programs like prenatal and postpartum services
  • Awarded on a rolling or periodic basis

Model Community Engagement Grants: $10,000

  • Designed for BIPOC-led organizations
  • Support coalition engagement capacity
  • Application method: Online portal with fixed deadlines

One-Time Grant Funding: Variable amounts

  • Awarded to qualified community organizations delivering effective programs
  • Support advancement of community coalition goals

Priority Areas

Success By 6 Coalition (Travis County)

  • Early childhood education and development
  • Ensuring all children enter Kindergarten happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed
  • Focus on high-quality and affordable childcare access
  • 14 organizations currently funded

2-Gen Coalition for Economic Advancement (Travis County)

  • Strengthening intergenerational economic opportunity for low-income families
  • Advancing postsecondary success and employment pathways for parents/guardians
  • Multi-generational support to care for children while advancing parents' education
  • 19 organizations currently funded

Education (Williamson County)

  • Youth development and educational support programs
  • After-school programs and mentoring
  • 13 organizations currently funded

Health (Williamson County)

  • Mental health services
  • Community health clinics
  • Senior services
  • 17 organizations currently funded

Financial Stability (Williamson County)

  • Workforce development and job training
  • Affordable housing
  • Re-entry programs
  • 6 organizations currently funded

What They Don't Fund

Organizations must not exclude anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other factor not relevant to a person's eligibility for service. Organizations must not be delinquent on any state or federal debt or currently in default on any private debt. Specific exclusions beyond these requirements are not publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Ingrid Taylor

  • More than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience
  • Previously worked with Ascension Texas, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Comptroller's Office, and U.S. Senate
  • Quote: "I live United because I know that the fastest way to create a better tomorrow for Austin... is to work collectively toward shared goals."
  • Quote: "Together we create a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

Board Chair: Kristin Marcum

  • Chief Executive Officer at ECPR Texas communications firm

Chief Early Childhood and Advocacy Officer: Aaron DeLaO

  • Quote: "I believe systems change is more easily achieved by people coming together."

Other Key Leadership:

  • Alison Bentley: Vice President of Impact – Data and Evaluation
  • Missy Strittmatter: Chief Development and Marketing Officer
  • Ashley Mitchell: Chief People Officer
  • Amy Price: Chief Family Stability Officer

Board of Directors: The volunteer Board provides leadership and policy oversight, acts as stewards for community funds, reviews and approves the annual budget and audit, and reviews agency funding decisions. The Board includes professionals from major companies such as Wells Fargo, Deloitte, H-E-B, and Austin Business Journal.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way for Greater Austin operates on a cyclical grant application process rather than rolling applications:

Travis County Community Investment Grants:

  • Three-year grant commitments to partner organizations
  • Calls for proposals issued every three years
  • Next RFP: Fall 2025 for funding beginning July 1, 2026
  • Current funding cycle: July 2022 - June 2025
  • Application method: Online portal at unitedwayatx.smapply.io

Williamson County Grants:

  • One-year grant agreements
  • Annual application cycles
  • Application method: Online portal

Other Grant Opportunities:

  • Mini-grants and special program grants may have separate application timelines
  • Monitor grants portal and sign up for notifications

To Stay Informed: Organizations interested in future funding opportunities can sign up for notifications through the United Way website to be alerted when RFPs are released.

Decision Timeline

Based on recent grant cycles:

  • Application deadline example: August 30, 2023
  • Decision notification: October 27, 2023
  • Timeframe: Approximately 2 months from application close to notification
  • Grant term start: January 1 (for that specific program) or July 1 (for CIGs)

Each proposal is reviewed by at least three different community members. In recent cycles, 41 community reviewers participated, with 56% being BIPOC and 87% women.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, recent award data provides context:

  • 2022: 68 organizations funded with $2.2 million
  • 2023 Williamson County: 20 organizations funded with $475,000
  • 2018-2021 cycle: 26 organizations funded with $1.466 million for CIGs

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations should contact United Way directly or monitor RFP announcements for specific guidance on reapplication eligibility and requirements.

Application Success Factors

Based on recent grant awards and organizational priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Alignment with Coalition Goals: United Way funds through a collective impact model. In 2022, 66 of 68 funded recipients focused on serving Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) clients, and 25 recipients had BIPOC leadership. This demonstrates the organization's commitment to racial equity and serving marginalized communities.

Community-Centered Approach: Former CEO David C. Smith noted: "Every dollar goes a long way to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential." Applications should clearly articulate how funding will directly impact community members and create measurable outcomes.

Multi-Generational Impact: Programs serving both children and their parents/caregivers are particularly aligned with the 2-Gen Coalition model. From 2018-2023, the 2-Gen Coalition invested $3.7 million in 23 local organizations, providing 3,577 families with multi-generational support.

Collective Approach: Leadership emphasizes that "systems change is more easily achieved by people coming together." Applications should demonstrate how the organization collaborates with other community partners and contributes to collective goals rather than working in isolation.

Evidence-Based Programming: United Way partners with organizations using proven strategies. Applications should include data and evaluation measures demonstrating program effectiveness and impact.

Commitment to Inclusion: Organizations must share United Way's view of collaborative and inclusive service to the entire community, without excluding anyone based on protected characteristics. This commitment should be evident throughout the application.

Geographic Focus: Programs must serve residents in Travis or Williamson counties. United Way emphasizes that contributed funds stay local to help these communities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Three-year planning cycles: United Way makes long-term commitments in Travis County, so the next opportunity to apply won't be until Fall 2025. Start preparing now and ensure your organization is ready for multi-year partnership.
  • Coalition alignment is critical: Success requires demonstrating how your program advances Success By 6 or 2-Gen Coalition goals, not just serving in those areas. Study the coalitions' strategic plans and speak their language.
  • Equity focus matters: With 97% of recent recipients serving BIPOC communities and intentionally diverse review panels, racial equity and inclusive service delivery are central to funding decisions.
  • Collective impact over individual achievement: Emphasize collaboration, shared measurement, and contribution to community-wide goals rather than standalone program outcomes.
  • Early relationship building: Since applications open infrequently, organizations should build relationships with United Way staff and coalition participants between funding cycles. Monitor their website and attend coalition meetings if possible.
  • Multi-year sustainability: For Travis County grants, demonstrate organizational capacity to sustain a three-year partnership with consistent program delivery and reporting.
  • Geographic specificity: Clearly articulate how your program serves Travis or Williamson County residents, with data supporting local need and impact.

References

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