Impact Investing and Funding Opportunities
United Way offers three tiers of funding opportunities to support local nonprofits with a proven ability to meet the community’s needs and make a lasting, important impact in our region. If you would like to be notified of new funding opportunities, please sign up here.
United Way of Greater St. Louis will offer two open funding cycles for funding consideration this year:
- 2027-2029 Safety Net Funding Cycle, with application available March 13th and due April 17th. See below for details.
- 2027 Targeted Fund Cycle will be released early September 2026 for programming to occur for one year beginning in 2027.
Safety Net
United Way’s Safety Net is a collaborative network of agencies that deliver an array of essential direct services to address the region’s most pressing needs, helping families and individuals remain and work toward stability. Safety Net agencies provide direct services that address basic, urgent needs – such as access to food and housing— as well as supports that help move individuals and families toward stability, including education, health and well-being, workforce access, and financial mobility.
2027-2029 Safety Net Funding Application is Now Open!
United Way of Greater St. Louis is now accepting applications for its 2027-2029 Safety Net Funding cycle and invites all eligible agencies across its 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois, including those not currently receiving United Way funding, to apply. United Way equips 160 local nonprofits with vital funding and training resources to support measurable impact across its five impact areas. Organizations selected for the 2027-2029 cycle will receive a three-year contract and become part of the UWGSL member agency network. Applications must be submitted via the online grant portal by April 17, 2026.
Agencies that do not currently receive safety net funding are invited to attend an informational webinar to learn about the requirements and expectations of safety net funding prior to submitting an application. Interested agencies have the option of attending one of two webinars via TEAMS on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 2-4pm or Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 10am-12pm. Register on the preferred date by clicking here.
Additionally, potential applicants are invited to participate in virtual office hours on March 27th to ask questions about the cycle in preparation for their submission. Click here to sign up for an available 15-minute slot. Virtual office hours are offered as a courtesy to applicants as they develop their applications; UWGSL does not vet applicant eligibility or alignment in advance of application review process.
PLEASE NOTE: Currently funded 2024-2026 Safety Net Agencies will have a separate date for an Informational Meeting; a calendar invite will be sent directly from United Way’s Community Investment team accordingly. Currently funded 2024-2026 Safety Net Agencies can reach out with questions about application submission to their Portfolio Manager.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for United Way funding, organizations must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Must provide direct services to individuals living in at least one of the 16 counties within United Way’s geographic footprint.
- The organization and specified program(s) must be operational for at least two years prior to submission on April 17, 2026.
- Must be a nonprofit operating with a current federal 501(c)(3) tax determination.
- Must be in good standing with the state of Missouri and Illinois, and provide a certificate of good standing dated on or after October 17, 2025
- Must have required financial documentation listed on the application.
Systems
We use a systems change approach where we seek to understand and raise awareness of the most needed services and resources, and mobilize the community to address identified needs on three levels; individual, agency, and community.
Almost Home ($100,000)
Catholic Charities of the Archodiocese STl ($100,000)
Catholic Urban Programs ($100,000)
Community Life Line ($100,000)
Employment Connection ($100,000)
Foster and Adoption Care Coalition ($100,000)
Guardian Angel Settlement Assn ($100,000)
Kingdom House d/b/a Lifewise STL ($100,000)
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri ($100,000)
Puentes de Esperanza ($100,000)
St. Patrick Center ($100,000)
The Salvation Army ($100,000)
Targeted
As emergent, emergency or crisis support is needed in our community, United Way supports programs and organizations to help meet those needs through targeted fundraising and one-time grantmaking efforts.
Better Family Life ($26,461)
Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Charles County ($26,461)
Casa de Salud ($36,461)
Christian Activity Center ($26,461)
Criminal Justice Ministry ($36,461)
Freedom Community Center ($36,461)
Kerengende Foundation ($26,461)
Safe Surrounding Refuge ($26,461)
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (Power4STL) ($46,464)
The Haven of Grace ($36,461)
The Oxygen Project Yoga for Youth ($36,461)
United Congregations of Metro East ($36,461)
The Veterans Community Project ($46,464)
Other United Way Programs
Information on 100 Neediest Cases
If you have additional questions about 100 Neediest Cases, please contact the program manager, Becky White.