37 survey respondents
Location: 2305 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, 48104 MI
EIN: 38-1951024
94%
6%
8 hours
Median
92%
8%
89%
11%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2021
They are good to work with. Definitely take advantage of the opportunity to talk with UWWC staff before applying to make sure they are supportive of your idea. Expect a heavy emphasis on leaders of color.
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2021
Good
Average
Think more about the actual people whose lives your funding will impact and how that will be over how the decisions will look for the United Way.
The staff at UWWC are great. But their decisions are perhaps more political than even they know.
Answer questions
12
Reviewer 1667 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2022
This application took longer than anticipated, but it was one of the most positive experiences I have had in 19 years of grant writing and nonprofit administration. United Way of Washtenaw County appears to be making every attempt to be inclusive. When my colleague and I read this RFP for measures to alleviate poverty, racism, and trauma, we independently said to each other, "This is a beautifully written and conceptualized RFP. They have done so much to make the application easier and more inclusive for applicants."
Michigan
Grant currently pending
2022
Average
We got all the information we needed in the pre-explanatory session, so this time we did not need to contact anyone for further details.
Good
For so long, funders in Washtenaw County have danced around the real issue, which is poverty. They created a much-touted group of coordinated funders (with the goal of making applications easier.) One of the unintended consequences was to divide poverty-alleviation into "silos" and if a funder didn't fit one of those categories, they did not qualify. This RFP opens up those silos! Good job.
We are exhausted. We are proud of ourselves for just making it through the past 2 years of the pandemic. Thank you for considering that we need a boost, and for taking the time to craft a really well-thought out, inclusive application!
Here are the things they did well with this RFP: Willing to fund existing operations!!! Made it multi-year, which saves us time and money. Did not require a program budget. Did not ask, "How will you sustain this after grant period has ended?" Gave an option to explain the drop-downs Did not have character limits; made it so much easier for us to say what we need to say; accepted the burden of reading through a [potentially] long application Open to anyone doing good work, not just 501(c)3's Encouraging to groups who are inexperienced in grant-writing and can't afford to pay someone to do it. Did not ask about other potential sources of funding or about diversified funding
20
Grant Applicant - applied in 2021
Easy application; need to take some time to put in thoughtful responses. Appreciated there was no budget requested; and not alot of attachments.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2021
Good
Good
6
Grant Applicant - applied in 2022
This may take longer than you think!
Positive leader in the field, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Other
2022
Good
Good
I do miss the RFQ process from the past (long time ago), as that actually helped us become a better org and strive for better governance. I liked that they shared DEI assessments and we tried a new that reinforced current assessment.
Haven't been notified yet
15
Reviewer 3036 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
United Way is very responsive and helpful. Always welcoming to questions.
Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
I think they do a pretty good job.
Very welcoming and interested in the community.
12
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Talk with the staff. They are wonderfully helpful. If a message is left, THEY will get back to you.
Risk taker, Friendly, Builds relationships, Openminded, Responsive
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
The United Way is improving. They are working to fund all nonprofits. Traditionally, the "best known" nonprofits were the ones which were fully funded.
Continue to reach out to the smaller organizations who are committed to making a positive change in the communities who have not traditionally been funded.
ASK. Get your nonprofit known by the staff of United Way. The staff is receptive.
Listening.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
I found it a bit tough to get concrete answers from them about how to improve the strength of our application and have a better chance of being funded. However, I appreciate their commitment to equity in the County and think they do a good job of selecting a variety of projects to fund. Recently, they've started to require a DEI assessment, which can be a bit time-consuming, but every organization should have one at this point.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
They have transparent and easily accessible application information and due dates. Expectations are well-listed on the RFP.
For at least 1 of the grants, we had to meet with a program staff person via Zoom before being able to apply, but the conversation was pretty brief (>20 minutes). The application itself is fairly short (at least for Opportunity Fund and Emergency COVID funding) and not too many additional documents required, except basic (BOD, Budget). I appreciate the requirements for audit are based on revenue size, as that helps smaller/new organizations get access.
Good
They're committed to promoting equity in the county, and think they do a good job of funding a variety of projects.
10
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Schedule a meeting as early as you can in the process, so that you can follow up. Allow plenty of time for the online application, as it can take awhile to complete.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
United way is very clear about their focus on racial equity, and is leading the way in this effort in our area.
I think some of the questions on the online application could be combined. Also, the section on goals/outcomes /measures is not so clear. It would be easier not to have to separate outcomes and measures.
as mentioned above, focus on equity.
12
Reviewer 3288 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
That they are a trusted and dedicated to assisting people of color.
Responsive
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for greater amount
2020
Good
Good
Keep up the good work. Thank you
They are very resourceful
They are here to help and assist with the process to make it less stressful.
6
Reviewer 6058 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
United Way of Washtenaw County staff were very helpful about RFP guidelines and reporting requirements.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Excellent staff from frontline worker to the CEO.
Good
Excellent organization that promotes racial and economic equity.
N/A... Great job overall.
This organization helps everyone and is a leader in our community in regards to equity. This is important as a non-profit that assists returning citizens, sentenced as youth who are often overlooked as an underserved population who are often discriminated against in society.
Returns calls and emails promptly with necessary information.
5 to 10 hours
