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United Way Of Tarrant County

Annual Giving
$16.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16,159,363 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 80 awards (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (e.g., $10,000-$100,000 for Veterans Fund; up to $75,000 for Women's Fund)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program cycle
  • Geographic Focus: Tarrant County, Texas
  • Application Method: Rolling RFP/RFA process by program

Contact Details

Address: 201 N. Rupert Street, Suite 107, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Phone: (817) 258-8000
Website: https://www.unitedwaytarrant.org
EIN: 75-0858360

For Grant Inquiries: Complete the UWTC RFP/A Interest Form

Overview

United Way of Tarrant County has been serving the community since 1922, bringing together private, public, and nonprofit partners to tackle the region's toughest challenges. With approximately $16.2 million in annual grant distribution and serving nearly 400,000 residents in 2023 (a 23% increase from the previous year), the organization focuses on addressing systemic issues in education, financial stability, and health. Under the leadership of President and CEO Adam Powell (appointed January 2025), United Way has shifted toward innovation and strategic problem-solving, identifying three priority areas: early childhood literacy, financial insecurity affecting a third of residents, and maternal mortality rates. The organization uses about 16% of Community Fund donations for operational expenses, with the remainder allocated to funded agencies and initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Safety Net Fund (~$2.2 million program)

  • Focus: Alleviating intergenerational poverty in Tarrant County
  • Priority Areas:
    • Affordable Housing and Homelessness (emphasis on vulnerable families, episodically and/or chronically homeless)
    • Education (affordable quality childcare, early childhood education/literacy, college/career/workforce readiness, college completion)
  • Status: Closed for FY25-26; next cycle TBD

Veterans Fund (~$300,000-$330,000 annually)

  • Supports veterans, active-duty military members, and their families
  • Recent example: Recovery Resource Council received $100,000 for evidence-based mental health services addressing PTSD, depression, anxiety
  • Next RFP: September 2025
  • Funding period typically: January-December of following year

Women United Fund ($60,000-$75,000 annually)

  • Established 2008
  • Supports organizations that empower and invest in women and girls
  • Provides services/programs for quality education, job skills enhancement, and life-changing opportunities
  • Recent awards: $40,000 Impact Grant to Women's Center of Tarrant County; $20,000 to Rivertree Academy
  • Next RFP: January 2025

One Second Collaborative ($2.1 million in 2023)

  • Addresses youth gun violence intervention and prevention
  • 18 organizations funded in 2023, including microgrant opportunities
  • Focus: Outreach, intervention, and reentry programs
  • Eligibility for past recipients: 90% of agreed-upon metrics must be met

Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County (AAATC)

  • Annual funding cycle for services to seniors
  • Next application deadline: July 21, 2025 (for FY 2026: Oct. 1, 2025-Sept. 30, 2026)

Priority Areas

  • Education: Early childhood literacy, quality childcare, K-12 educational programs, college/career readiness
  • Financial Stability: Workforce development, financial literacy, housing assistance, utility support
  • Health: Mental health services, preventative health programs, maternal health
  • Veterans Services: Mental health support, family services, PTSD treatment, resource referrals
  • Women and Girls: Empowerment programs, education enhancement, economic opportunity
  • Youth Violence Prevention: Intervention, mentoring, trauma counseling, conflict resolution
  • Equity Focus: Addressing disparities exacerbated by poverty and systemic barriers

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly documented. All funded programs must:

  • Serve Tarrant County residents
  • Align with United Way's strategic goals and current priorities
  • Meet evidence-based criteria

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Adam D. Powell - President and CEO (joined January 2025)

  • Former President/CEO of Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region (5 years)
  • Known for strategic vision and resource optimization
  • Key quote: "We'll continue to be the community mobilizers that we've always been, really bringing people together around some of these really complex issues, but we also want to lean more into innovation...it's incumbent upon us to really deploy those in a way that allows us to solve some of those problems."

Eric Marin - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kris Canfield - Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Shon Dorsey - Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer
Shakita Johnson - Executive Vice President and Chief Aging Services Officer
Deanna W. Titzler - Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Beth Watson - Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Board of Directors (2025-2026)

Board Chair: Steve B. Bobb (Retired EVP and CMO, BNSF Railway Company)
Vice Board Chair: Barbara M. Williams (Of Counsel, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP)

Committee Chairs:

  • Marnese Barksdale Elder (CEO, Mecca Management Solutions) - Compensation and Benefits Committee
  • H. Richard Payne (Partner, EY Assurance Services) - Audit and Finance Committee/Treasurer
  • Barbara M. Williams - Governance Committee
  • Cory Dowell (Managing Director, UBS) - Investment Committee
  • Jennifer Wichmann (Deputy City Manager, City of Arlington) - Strategic Planning Committee

Additional Board Members: Dr. Keon Anderson, Rosa Maria Berdeja, Caleb Clark, John Dandurand, Jeanelle Davis, DJ Harrell, Grant Helmer, Bal Joshi, Chris McLaughlin, Chuck Noteboom, Richard T. Roby III

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of Tarrant County operates on a Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Applications (RFA) basis, with different funding streams opening at different times throughout the year. There is no continuous open application process.

Step 1: Submit interest through the UWTC RFP/A Interest Form

Step 2: Monitor announcements via:

  • Email (sign up for mailing list)
  • Social media
  • United Way of Tarrant County website

Step 3: When relevant RFP opens:

  • Attend bidder's conference (if offered) to learn about eligibility, timeline, program focus areas, and application process
  • Review detailed RFP guidelines
  • Submit complete application by deadline

Step 4: Application review process:

  • Volunteer review panels consider and rank proposals
  • Community Investment Cabinet reviews panel recommendations
  • Board of Directors provides final approval

RFP/RFA Timeline (Typical Annual Cycle)

  • January: Women United Fund RFP opens
  • June: Area Agency on Aging RFP opens
  • July: Application deadline for AAATC (typically July 21)
  • September: Veterans Fund RFP opens
  • Safety Net: Timing varies; closed for FY25-26
  • One Second Collaborative: Periodic microgrant opportunities throughout year

Veterans Fund Example Timeline:

  • RFP Opens: Early summer (e.g., June 2024)
  • Application Deadline: Late July (e.g., July 24, 2024, 2:00 PM)
  • Funding Period: Following calendar year (e.g., Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2025)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by program and are typically outlined in individual RFP documents. Award announcements generally occur several weeks to months after application deadlines.

Success Rates

Limited public data on success rates. Known statistics:

  • 80 grants awarded in 2024 from total applicant pool (rate not disclosed)
  • 105 grants awarded in 2023
  • One Second Collaborative: 18 organizations funded in initial 2023 round

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. For the One Second Collaborative, past recipients can reapply if:

  • 90% of agreed-upon metrics are met by specified deadline
  • 100% of close-out procedures are completed

Organizations are encouraged to contact United Way directly for guidance on reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Evidence-Based Approaches

Applications are evaluated on evidence-based program design. The One Second Collaborative uses a 20-point scoring scale, with Program Overview/Strategy worth up to 5 points. Successful applications "thoroughly outline the project with detailed, evidence-based components."

Strategic Alignment

CEO Adam Powell emphasizes that United Way serves as a "professional problem solver" focused on innovation. Applications should demonstrate:

  • Clear alignment with United Way's current strategic priorities (early childhood literacy, financial security, maternal health, or specific RFP focus areas)
  • Understanding of root causes and systemic approaches
  • Ability to address equity gaps and disparities

Geographic Focus

All programs must serve Tarrant County residents. In a region where 41% of the population lives at or below the poverty line, demonstrate understanding of local community needs.

Collaboration and Innovation

Powell's vision emphasizes "bringing people together around some of these really complex issues" and "lean[ing] more into innovation." Highlight:

  • Partnerships with other organizations
  • Innovative approaches using available tools and technology
  • Capacity to track and demonstrate impact

Performance Metrics

For organizations with past United Way funding, strong performance on agreed-upon metrics significantly impacts future funding eligibility (90% threshold for some programs).

Examples of Funded Work

Recent funded organizations demonstrate the types of work United Way values:

  • Recovery Resource Council: Evidence-based mental health services for veterans addressing PTSD, depression, anxiety
  • Women's Center of Tarrant County: Programs supporting women in crisis
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County: Keystone Club teen character and leadership program
  • One Safe Place: Domestic violence response with trained advocates identifying trauma in children
  • Seasons of Change: Public health approach to gun violence prevention serving at-risk youth

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Monitor RFP announcements closely - United Way operates on a cyclical RFP basis with different programs opening at different times; there is no continuous open application
  • Complete the interest form early - Submitting the RFP/A Interest Form ensures you receive notifications when relevant funding opportunities open
  • Attend bidder's conferences - These sessions provide critical information about eligibility, scoring criteria, and application expectations
  • Emphasize evidence-based approaches - Successful applications include detailed, evidence-based program components with clear logic models
  • Demonstrate metrics capacity - United Way values organizations that can track impact and meet performance benchmarks (90%+ achievement)
  • Align with current CEO priorities - Powell's focus on early childhood literacy, financial insecurity, and maternal mortality represents current strategic direction
  • Address equity and systemic issues - Applications should show understanding of root causes and disparities in Tarrant County
  • Strong performance matters - Past grantees with successful track records have clearer pathways to future funding

References

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