Apply for funding
United Way Waterloo Region Communities has revised the Community Impact Fund application process for fiscal year April 1st 2025 to March 31st 2026.
Below is a brief summary of the key changes to the Community Impact Fund process. For additional details, please refer to the Community Impact Fund Guide.
Key Changes to the community impact process
- Each quarter will focus on one or two specific Issue Areas, and applications must align with the designated Issue Area(s).
- Organizations may submit one application per quarter and receive a maximum of one funded application per year.
- Funding Ranges & Timing: Minimum request of $20,000 and a maximum of $160,000 per application. Successful applicants receive funding at the start of term
A note about reporting
- There will be ONE more Annual Report under the previous funding model that will be due for any organizations that received funding during the fiscal year April 1st 2024 – March 31st 2025.
- Reporting will open for a three week period, April 2025.
Q1 (Apr – Jun 2025)
Focus: Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Application Window: February 3 – 21, 2025
Q2 (Jul – Sep 2025)
Focus: Children & Youth; Hate, Gender-Based, and Family Violence
Application Window: April 14 – May 2, 2025
Q3 (Oct – Dec 2025)
Focus: Community & Social Supports; Literacy, Employment Skills & Assistive Devices
Application Window: July 14 – August 1, 2025
Q4 (Jan – Mar 2026)
Focus: Mental Health & Addictions; Food Insecurity
Application Window: October 14 – 31, 2025
General Operating Support (GOS)
These grants are intended to support an organization’s ability to achieve its mission overall. This type of grant is flexible and allows grantees to allocate funds towards self-identified organizational priorities in order to develop and strengthen their internal systems.
Program/Project Grants
These grants support specific programs or projects of an organization. This type of grant allows grantees to focus on specific aspects of their work. Programs/projects can be new or existing.
A group of local funders in Waterloo Region, including The Astley Family Foundation, Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region, United Way Waterloo Region Communities and Waterloo Region Community Foundation have been working together over the past few years on several initiatives. Collectively we focus on building a strong and healthy community. Organizations applying for grants have shared the need for one common place that lists upcoming funding opportunities. We listened and have created Waterloo Region APPLY. Check out the website at https://www.wrapply.ca.
For more information or questions, please reach out to us!
Brian Kamm
Senior Manager, Community Investment
519-888-6100 EXT. 209 | bkamm@uwaywrc.ca
Funded Agencies
At United Way we fund a network of Agencies helping people meet their basic needs, access mental health supports, and reduce social isolation.