Community Impact Grants

The Community Impact Grant application for the 2025-26 funding cycle.

For a complete list of current program investments, CLICK HERE.

Statement of Purpose:

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota invests local donations back into our communities primarily through Community Impact Grants. Our funding focuses on four key areas: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Communities, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. Funded programs are selected for their strong impact on residents in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine, and parts of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles, and Redwood counties.

Community volunteer panels carefully review each grant proposal. They score applications, interview applicants, evaluate program goals and expected outcomes, and then make funding recommendations to the United Way of Southwest Minnesota Board of Directors for final approval.

To apply for a Community Impact Grant, programs must meet all guidelines, eligibility criteria, and operating requirements. Please review these materials thoroughly before submitting an application, as incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Grant workshops for 2026–27 funding are now open for registration. First-time applicants must attend one of the workshops to be eligible to submit a grant. Sessions will be held at 800 E Main Street, Marshall, MN.
To pre‑register, email unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org.

The grant workshops will cover the following:

Year-to-Date/Final Report Deadline.
Eligibility Criteria
Application Guidelines
Review process
Partnership Agreement
Q&A

Spring 2026 Grant Workshop Dates Are:

Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Friday, March 20, 2026, at 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Pre-register at: unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org

SAMPLE FORMAT FOR UPLOADS:

Funding will generally not be awarded for:

Marketing efforts
Event or fundraising promotions
Capital campaigns or expenditures (i.e., land, building, real estate, vehicles, equipment, building upkeep or repair)
Funding for organizations that intend to distribute funds at their own discretion
Debt reduction or program shortfall from earlier years
Endowment funding
Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
Activities that support a specific religious purpose
Professional development or training
Programs that operate in a discriminatory manner
Program work outside the UWSWMN service area
Programs not demonstrating a strong local need
Direct individual support
Volunteer recruitment and recognition
Staff positions.

Additionally, UWSWMN funding will typically not be awarded if UWSWMN is the sole funding source for a program.

Login instructions

Watch a short instructional video on creating an account and saving drafts.

All applicants are required to have or create an account to complete and submit their applications. Keep your username and password handy to "save a draft" and return to complete your submission. This username and password will continue to be used for agency reporting and future applications.

LOGIN HERE (If you already have a username and password)
CREATE AN ACCOUNT (New users only - Recommend using your Agency Name as your User Name - watch for an email to set your password, check spam)
RESET YOUR PASSWORD (if your email has been used previously, you can reset your password)
LOGOUT (Be sure to log out once you have saved your draft or submitted your application)

Incomplete applications will not be accepted d. Don't leave any blanks; enter N/A if not applicable.

Be sure to click "SAVE DRAFT" frequently. Return and work on the application as time permits. When you are finished, be sure to click "SUBMIT." You will not be able to access the completed submission, but you will be sent a copy.