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United Way of Larimer County Inc

Annual Giving
$10.0M
Grant Range
$14K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
38%

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United Way of Larimer County Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10 million (FY 2023-24)
  • Success Rate: 38% (48 awards from 125+ applications in 2023-24 cycle)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; approximately 6-8 weeks for Equity & Excellence Cohort
  • Grant Range: Varies by program; up to $100,000 for Infrastructure grants; $120,000 total for Equity & Excellence Cohort
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Larimer County, CO; some programs serve Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Jackson counties
  • EIN: 84-6031503

Contact Details

Address: 525 West Oak Street, Suite 101, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Phone: 970-407-7000

Email: office@uwaylc.org

Website: uwaylc.org

Online Grant Portal: uwaylc.smapply.io

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Pre-Application Support: For Equity & Excellence Cohort concerns, contact Morgan Vanek, Director of Nonprofit Excellence, at mvanek@uwaylc.org

Overview

Founded as a community-based philanthropic organization, United Way of Larimer County (EIN: 84-6031503) is a grant-making organization that invested a record $10 million in programs during the 2023-24 fiscal year to support children, families, and individuals across Larimer County. The organization operates with a 12.5% overhead rate and maintains a focused commitment to the success of children and youth while mobilizing the community to drive meaningful change. Under the leadership of President and CEO Joy D. Sullivan, UWLC has expanded its impact through strategic initiatives including the launch of two transformative community hubs—the Loveland Youth Campus and the Community Impact Center in Fort Collins—which co-locate 22 nonprofit partners. In 2024-25, the organization processed $1,372,032 in donor designations. UWLC has evolved its approach to become "laser focused on how we can create joy, through connection and belonging, for ALL in this beloved community—especially for those among us who feel the least connection and belonging," as Sullivan stated.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants: Standard grant program supporting local nonprofits through United Way's five priority areas. Awards totaled $450,000 in 2021 cycle to 24 agencies. Applications reviewed through online portal (uwaylc.smapply.io).

Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program (with DOLA): Partnership with Colorado Department of Local Affairs awarding up to $100,000 per organization for infrastructure support (not programming). In 2024, awarded $3.73 million to 48 organizations across five counties. Eligibility: Annual budgets between $150,000-$2,000,000, affected by COVID-19 infrastructure aftermath. Success rate: 38% (48 of 125+ applications).

Equity & Excellence Cohort Program: Seven-month Grant Readiness Cohort providing $120,000 through Equity & Excellence Fund, combining technical assistance with general operating grants. Selects up to 10 grassroots, community-led organizations. Application deadline: April 15 at 11:59 PM; decisions by May 31. Eligibility: Larimer County organizations with budgets under $500,000, 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor, led by people from communities they serve.

Innovation Grants: Launched to encourage nonprofits to explore pilot projects, seek leveraged funds, fill pressing community needs, and consider innovative partnerships. Past recipients include Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County and Big Green for school garden projects.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP): Federal pass-through program supporting food, shelter, and utility assistance. Applications through grant portal with specific deadlines.

Priority Areas

United Way of Larimer County focuses on five interconnected priority areas:

  1. School Readiness/Early Childhood: Supporting children's preparation for kindergarten through free monthly books, early learning programs, parent support, and childcare scholarships. In 2021, agencies received $150,000 collectively.

  2. High School Graduation: Supporting students to complete high school through research-based strategies, mentoring, academic enrichment, and tutoring programs. 2021 funding: $58,050.

  3. Financial Security: Programs supporting debt reduction, increased tax refunds, financial planning and management, and case management for career advancement. Four agencies received $58,050 cumulatively in 2021.

  4. Housing Stability: Eviction prevention, case management, and housing support. Five agencies received $95,700 in 2021.

  5. Food Security: Supporting food access and emergency food assistance programs.

Cross-cutting priorities include:

  • Youth Education: Invested $2.79 million in program services supporting literacy, academic success, and child care availability, benefiting 17,000+ children
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building: Invested $1.8 million to strengthen nonprofit infrastructure and organizational capacity
  • Racial Equity: The 14-member Community Impact Committee prioritizes agencies addressing root causes and committed to advancing racial equity
  • Community Collaboration: Supporting collaborative efforts and community hubs

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions are not publicly documented. However, based on program descriptions:

  • Infrastructure Grant Program explicitly does not fund programming (only organizational infrastructure)
  • Focus is on organizations serving Larimer County residents (and specific adjacent counties for certain programs)
  • Organizations must align with one or more of the five priority areas

For detailed eligibility requirements, contact UWLC directly or consult specific grant guidelines through their portal.

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Joy D. Sullivan leads the organization with a focus on community belonging and collaborative impact.

Board of Directors: 19-20 committed volunteer board members. Recent board leadership has included:

  • Justin G. Davis, Board Chair – Founder/CEO & Managing Director, Impact Financial Strategies
  • Tracy Oldemeyer, Immediate Past Board Chair – Litigation Attorney & Partner, Cline Williams Wright
  • Yolanda Bevill – Vice President for University Communications, Colorado State University
  • María Gabriel – Director of Language, Culture & Equity, Thompson School District

Staff: 25 staff members including:

  • Lauren M. Leary, Vice President of Impact
  • Morgan Vanek, Director of Nonprofit Excellence
  • Olivia, Community Impact Manager

Community Impact Committee: 12-14 community volunteers who conduct careful review and prioritization of grant applications, scoring based on alignment with priorities and commitment to advancing racial equity.

Leadership Quotes

Joy Sullivan on partnerships: "We are honored to partner with Dola to bring this significant funding to support community led organizations in our area."

On philanthropic collaboration: "Collaborations like this, where Woodward Charitable Trust and United Way of Larimer County work together, truly make anything possible."

On evolving community impact approach: "Excited for the joy that comes with working so closely alongside organizations leading high-impact work and the communities they support" and "honored to have all of you as part of this important and evolving approach to community impact."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of Larimer County accepts grant applications through their online portal at uwaylc.smapply.io. Application processes vary by grant program:

Standard Community Impact Grants: Applications accepted through online portal. All funding decisions are made locally based on the best interests of the community.

Equity & Excellence Cohort Program:

  • Deadline: April 15 at 11:59 PM
  • Online application through grant portal
  • If concerns about meeting requirements, contact Morgan Vanek before submission

Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program:

  • Applications open during specific cycles (most recent July 2023)
  • Online submission required
  • Rigorous review process with DOLA partnership

Emergency Food and Shelter Program: Applications open periodically with specific deadlines (past cycle: April 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024).

Decision Timeline

Equity & Excellence Cohort: Applicants notified by May 31 (approximately 6 weeks from April 15 deadline).

Community Impact Grants: After careful review by the 12-member Community Impact Committee, decisions typically made within several weeks to months depending on application volume.

Infrastructure Grants: Rigorous multi-month review process. 2023 applications received July-December with awards announced January 2024.

Success Rates

Infrastructure Grant Program (2023-24): 38% success rate (48 organizations funded from 125+ applications).

The competitive nature of grants reflects high community demand and thorough vetting process. Community Impact Committee volunteers carefully screen and select programs, prioritizing those addressing root causes and committed to advancing racial equity.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. For information about reapplying after an unsuccessful application, contact United Way of Larimer County directly at 970-407-7000 or office@uwaylc.org.

Application Success Factors

Based on UWLC's documented priorities and recent funding patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

Alignment with Priority Areas: Programs must clearly align with one or more of the five priority areas (school readiness, high school graduation, financial security, housing stability, food security). The Community Impact Committee specifically evaluates alignment with these strategic priorities.

Addressing Root Causes: The Community Impact Committee's review process prioritizes "agencies that are addressing root causes" rather than just treating symptoms. Applications should demonstrate how programs tackle underlying issues contributing to poverty and inequity.

Commitment to Racial Equity: Explicitly emphasized in committee review criteria. Applications should demonstrate commitment to advancing racial equity in program design, implementation, and outcomes.

Community-Led Approach: Particularly for Equity & Excellence Cohort, preference for organizations "led by people from the communities they serve." Demonstrate lived experience and community connection.

Collaborative Spirit: As Joy Sullivan noted, UWLC values working "closely alongside organizations leading high-impact work." Show willingness to collaborate, participate in quarterly convenings, and coordinate with other UWLC partners to reduce duplication.

Data-Driven Approach: UWLC uses "a data-driven approach" to grant decisions. Include measurable outcomes, clear metrics, and evidence-based strategies.

Leveraged Funds and Innovation: Innovation Grants specifically "encourage nonprofits to look for leveraged funds, explore pilot projects, fill pressing community needs and consider innovative partnerships to solve complex social issues."

Organizational Capacity: For Infrastructure Grants, demonstrate need for capacity building support. For Equity & Excellence Cohort, show you "require support to develop knowledge, skills, and organizational infrastructure needed to successfully secure and manage grant funding."

Geographic Focus: Priority for organizations providing programs or services that benefit Larimer County residents (or designated counties for specific programs).

Appropriate Budget Size: Different programs target different organizational sizes (e.g., Equity & Excellence for budgets under $500,000; Infrastructure for $150,000-$2,000,000).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know Your Priority Area: Clearly articulate how your program aligns with one of UWLC's five priority areas (school readiness, high school graduation, financial security, housing stability, food security). Alignment is essential for funding consideration.

  • Emphasize Root Causes and Equity: The Community Impact Committee specifically prioritizes organizations addressing root causes and advancing racial equity. These themes should be woven throughout your application, not treated as add-ons.

  • Choose the Right Program: UWLC offers multiple grant streams for different organizational stages. Smaller grassroots organizations (budgets under $500,000) should consider the Equity & Excellence Cohort; mid-sized organizations ($150,000-$2,000,000) may be suited for Infrastructure grants; established programs align with standard Community Impact Grants.

  • Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit: UWLC convenes partner agencies quarterly and operates community hubs co-locating 22 organizations. Show willingness to collaborate, share outcomes, and reduce duplication of services in the community.

  • Be Competitive but Realistic: With a 38% success rate in recent Infrastructure grant cycle, competition is significant. Ensure your application is thorough, data-driven, and clearly demonstrates impact.

  • Consider Technical Assistance: If your organization needs help with grant readiness, policies, or processes, the Equity & Excellence Cohort pairs funding with seven months of technical assistance—valuable for building long-term capacity.

  • Use Data to Tell Your Story: UWLC takes a "data-driven approach" to funding decisions. Include measurable outcomes, baseline data, evidence-based strategies, and clear metrics for success.

References

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