Apply for funding
HOW TO APPLY
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
Quarterly Issue Areas & Application Dates
Here is the final list of quarterly Issue Areas and application windows:
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
Orientation Sessions
To help your team prepare, we are hosting two orientation sessions:
- Online: Tuesday, January 21st, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM | REGISTER NOW
- In-Person: Wednesday, January 22nd, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the United Way WRC Office | REGISTER NOW
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.
For more information or questions, please reach out to us!

Funded Partners
At United Way we fund a network of community partners helping people meet their basic needs, access mental health supports, and reduce social isolation.