← Back to US Funders Directory

United Way of Southern Nevada Inc

Annual Giving
$6.2M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.3M
Decision Time
5mo
Success Rate
38%

United Way of Southern Nevada Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,198,637 (2023)
  • Success Rate: ~35-40% (35-43 grants awarded from over 100 applications annually)
  • Decision Time: 5-6 months from application to notification
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Southern Nevada (Clark, Nye, Esmeralda, and Lincoln Counties)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 94% (Four-Star rating)

Contact Details

Address: 5830 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone: (702) 892-2300
Email: info@uwsn.org
Grant Inquiries: RFP@uwsn.org
Website: https://uwsn.org
Application Portal: https://uwsn.smapply.org
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-5:00pm, Friday: 8:30am-1:00pm

Overview

United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) was incorporated in 1957 and has grown into one of Nevada's most influential community-based philanthropic organizations, with EIN 88-0071328. The organization works with private companies, government agencies, and community-based organizations to advance three core pathways to impact: Student Success, Workforce Development, and Community Support. Operating primarily in Clark County and surrounding areas, UWSN raised approximately $7.5M in revenue as of 2024 and distributed $6,198,637 in grants in 2023. Over the past three years, UWSN has facilitated educational assistance for more than 27,000 students, career training for over 8,000 individuals, and housing, food, and utility support for more than 500,000 people during crises. The organization maintains a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 94% score, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants: $25,000 - $250,000 (rolling annual cycle)

  • Primary grant program supporting nonprofit organizations providing evidence-based programs
  • Applications submitted via online portal
  • Annual funding cycle with fixed deadlines
  • Recent years: $1.6M distributed in FY2024 to 43 organizations; 35 organizations funded in FY2025
  • No limits on first-time applicants
  • No cap on administrative costs

Language Access Grants (when active)

  • Focused on improving language accessibility in Southern Nevada
  • Application details available through main application portal when program is active

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (Clark County agencies only)

  • Federal program administered by UWSN
  • Recent allocation: $1,220,268 available in funding

Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund

  • Crisis response funding
  • Application details available through online portal when active

Priority Areas

Proposals must align with one of three core pathways to impact:

Student Success

  • Early education programs
  • K-12 academic support
  • College and early career readiness
  • After-school and mentoring programs

Workforce Development

  • Job training programs
  • Workforce credentials and certifications
  • Skills development
  • Career readiness and placement services

Community Support

  • Crisis support services (housing, food, utilities)
  • Access and inclusion initiatives
  • Emergency assistance programs
  • Support for vulnerable populations

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly stated, organizations must:

  • Provide services in Southern Nevada (Clark, Nye, Esmeralda, Lincoln Counties)
  • Have evidence-based programs with measurable outcomes
  • Demonstrate clear impact on UWSN funding priorities
  • Be licensed and in good standing with Nevada

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Samuel L. Rudd - President & CEO

  • Defines leadership as "serving, serving those who are on your team and together serving the community"
  • On community impact: "Our Community Impact Grants fuel the important work of local nonprofits driving lasting change in Southern Nevada. United is the way we create opportunity and strengthen lives across our region."
  • Uses data-driven approach: "At UWSN, they use performance metrics to guide their efforts, ensuring that resources are aligned with the most pressing needs in the community."

Karen Alonso - Chief Advancement and Communications Officer (joined April 2023)

Board of Directors

Don Snyder - Board Chairman (elected 2024)

Board Officers:

  • John B. Page - Vice Chair (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
  • Denette Suddeth - Treasurer, Finance & Audit Committee Chair (PNC Financial)
  • Monte Smith - Secretary, Community Impact Committee Chair (Brown & Brown Insurance Nevada)

Board Members include:

  • April Augustine (Gaming Laboratories International, LLC)
  • Irene Bustamante Adams - Public Policy Chair (Workforce Connections)
  • Morris Jackson II - Community Leadership & Volunteerism Committee Chair & Fund Development Committee
  • Cathy Jones - Finance Committee (Logic Commercial Real Estate)
  • Jilian Lopez - Fund Development Committee (HCA Healthcare)

Trustees:

  • Tom Wszalek - Marketing Committee Chair (SW14 Group LLC)
  • Dr. Bob Ackerman (Retired, UNLV)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online submission through SurveyMonkey Apply platform at https://uwsn.smapply.org

Application Components Required:

  • Organization contact form
  • Program narrative describing the program requesting funding
  • Program logic model (template provided)
  • Program budget (template provided)
  • Financial statements from organization (audited preferred if available within past 3 years, but not required)

Important Requirements:

  • Organizations may only submit one application per funding cycle
  • Proposed program must align with one of three funding categories (cannot span multiple categories)
  • Questions must be submitted in writing to RFP@uwsn.org by specified deadline
  • Video reviewing submission requirements available on website
  • PDF version of application available for review before submission

Decision Timeline

Typical Annual Cycle:

  • January: Grant opportunity announcement and application opens
  • Early February: Application deadline (typically mid-February)
  • February-April: Volunteer committee review and interviews
  • May: Board of Directors review
  • June: Applicants notified of results
  • July: Public announcement of grant recipients
  • July 1: Grant period begins (runs through June 30 of following year)

Total Timeline: Approximately 5-6 months from application opening to final notification

Grant Payment: Quarterly installments throughout the year

  • Subsequent payments contingent on receipt of completed quarterly program reports
  • Reports due approximately 10 days after end of each quarter

Success Rates

UWSN receives over 100 applications annually for Community Impact Grants and currently maintains approximately 39 active community impact grants in Southern Nevada.

Recent Success Rates:

  • FY 2024 (2023-2024): 43 organizations funded from 100+ applications (~43% success rate)
  • FY 2025 (2024-2025): 35 organizations funded from 100+ applications (~35% success rate)
  • FY 2026 (2025-2026): 16 organizations funded

Estimated Success Rate: 35-40%

Review Process: Each application is evaluated by 40-55 community volunteers on UWSN's Funding Review Committee using a standard rubric. Applications are scored, discussed by the committee, which makes formal recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.

Reapplication Policy

Open and Encouraging Policy:

  • There is no limit to the number of times an organization can apply in consecutive years
  • UWSN welcomes all eligible applications during each funding cycle
  • Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to request feedback after the funding process is complete and grants have been awarded
  • No waiting period between applications
  • Organizations can reapply immediately in the next funding cycle

Application Success Factors

Key Success Elements Based on UWSN's Stated Priorities

Evidence-Based Programming UWSN specifically seeks agencies offering evidence-based programs. Applications should demonstrate:

  • Clear program theory and logic model
  • Documented effectiveness of approach
  • For programs lacking robust metrics: share plans to develop them through the grant period

Strong Alignment with Core Pathways Applications must clearly demonstrate how the program advances one of UWSN's three focus areas:

  • Student Success initiatives in early education, K-12 support, or college/career readiness
  • Workforce Development programs providing job training and workforce credentials
  • Community Support programs offering crisis support, access, and inclusion

Data-Driven Approach UWSN values organizations that use performance metrics to demonstrate impact:

  • Include specific, measurable outcomes in application
  • Be prepared to participate in client-level impact, feedback, and outcome surveys
  • Demonstrate ability to complete quarterly reports with program outputs, outcomes, client stories, and data

Quality of Application Materials Multiple determining factors result in funding recommendations:

  • Rubric scores from volunteer review committee
  • Committee deliberations and discussions
  • Overall application quality and clarity
  • Financial statements demonstrating organizational stability
  • Past program performance (for current/previous grantees)

Comprehensive Budget Approach

  • No cap on administrative costs
  • Organizations encouraged to request funds for all aspects of program including:
    • Direct assistance to clients
    • Staff required to operate the program
    • Administrative costs necessary to support program operations

Geographic Coverage Programs serving underserved areas across Southern Nevada may have advantage:

  • Clark County (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Unincorporated areas)
  • Rural counties: Nye, Esmeralda, Lincoln

Recent Funded Programs

Organizations funded in recent cycles include Iron Sharpens Iron Mentoring, Inc. and St. Jude's Ranch for Children, demonstrating UWSN's support for youth development and comprehensive family services.

Process Insights

Community Engagement: With 40-55 volunteers on the Funding Review Committee, applications are read by multiple community stakeholders. Clear, compelling narratives that communicate impact to diverse audiences are essential.

Board Final Approval: While the committee makes recommendations, the Board of Directors provides final approval, indicating importance of organizational credibility and strategic fit with UWSN mission.

Relationship Building: UWSN offers information sessions for prospective applicants, providing opportunity to understand priorities and ask questions before applying.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Align clearly with one pathway: Choose Student Success, Workforce Development, OR Community Support—applications must fit one category, not multiple. Ensure alignment is explicit throughout the application.

  2. Competitive but accessible: With 35-40% success rate and no penalties for first-time applicants or reapplications, UWSN is more accessible than many funders. Organizations should not hesitate to apply or reapply.

  3. Evidence matters: Emphasize evidence-based approaches and demonstrate your program's effectiveness through data. If metrics are still developing, present clear plans for measurement and evaluation.

  4. Budget comprehensively: Include all program costs including administrative expenses—UWSN explicitly encourages this. Don't underestimate true program costs.

  5. Use feedback strategically: Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback and should use it to strengthen future applications. There's no limit on reapplications.

  6. Plan for reporting: Be prepared to submit detailed quarterly reports with outputs, outcomes, client stories, photos, and impact data. Demonstrate capacity for ongoing reporting from the application stage.

  7. Engage early: Attend information sessions, submit questions to RFP@uwsn.org by deadline, and use available resources (templates, videos, PDF application) to strengthen your submission.

  8. Five-month timeline: Plan ahead—from application to notification takes approximately 5-6 months, with funding beginning July 1. Start preparation early in the calendar year.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory