Nonprofit Investment Opportunities

UNITED WAY’S CORE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS

United Way of the Plains invests in the community through three nonprofit grant opportunities: Opportunity on the Plains, Promise on the Plains and Impact on the Plains. Each supports our work to advance the common good in our focus areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs.

Promise on the Plains

Apply in the Spring

Helps nonprofits close gaps and disparities in our focus areas in the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community.

• Open to health and human service nonprofits in our eight-county service area* who are led by and serve the BIPOC community.
• Recipients announced at a Juneteenth community celebration.
• Investments, up to $10,000, awarded for immediate use.
• Recipients will submit semiannual success stories.

Impact on the Plains

Apply in the Summer

A “Shark Tank”-style social innovation competition in pursuit of bold solutions to community issues.

• Open to health and human service nonprofits in our eight-county service area* with bold, innovative solutions to make an impact in one of our focus areas.
• Community judges review and narrow applications down to the top two in each focus area. Finalists make their pitch to a panel of judges at a live, “Shark-Tank” style event in September.
• The winner in each category is awarded up to $25,000.
• Semiannual reporting required.

Opportunity on the Plains

Apply in the Fall

The largest, annual investment program from United Way of the Plains to help meet the most pressing needs in our community.

• Open to health and human service nonprofits in our eight-county service area* who are making an impact in one of our focus areas.
• Community volunteers review applications and make funding recommendations to our board of directors for final approval.
• Recipients announced in the late spring. Funding cycle is July to June.
• Quarterly reports required.