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New Applicant Investment Process

The Letter of Intent process for new applicants is open and will close on January 21, 2025. The full timeline is listed below. To submit a letter of intent (LOI), login to our grantmaking system, Foundant, click "Apply" and enter the access code: NEWFY26.

The new applicant training session took place on January 6, 2025. If you were unable to attend, you can view the session by watching the video to the left.

If your organization is an independent 501(c)3 or government agency, you serve the Polk, Dallas, or Warren county areas, and your work aligns with one of elements of UNITED to THRIVE, your program may qualify to receive funding.

Please review the information below and contact John Soener, Community Investments Manager, at john.soener@unitedwaydm.org with questions.

Funding Timeline for Fiscal Year 2026

(July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026):

  • 1/3/2025 - Letter of Intent (LOI) open for new applicants
  • 1/6/2025 - New applicant virtual information session
  • 1/21/2025 - LOI submission deadline
  • 1/29/2025 - LOI approval/denial notification 
  • 2/3/2025 - Approved LOIs receive access to the full form application
  • 3/2/2025 - Full form application submission deadline
  • 7/1/2025 - Funding decisions announced

Funding Process

STEP 1: Letter of Intent

The first step in applying for United Way funding is to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI is a short series of questions within Foundant, United Way's grantmaking system, that helps United Way staff determine if your program might qualify for funding. If they feel you might be eligible, your LOI will be approved, and your program will be invited to complete a full-form application.

By clicking the button below you will see what information will be required on the LOI. This sample is not the official LOI and is subject to change. All LOIs must be completed within Foundant, United Way's grantmaking system. 

Sample Letter of Intent

STEP 2: Funding Application

If your LOI is approved, your organization will be invited to submit a full-form application for funding. You will receive an overview of what is needed to apply, including financial documentation, equity commitments, a program budget, etc. After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by one of the volunteer cabinets (a team of community volunteers who specialize in one of the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community).

STEP 3: Funding Decisions

After reviewing all applications, each volunteer cabinet will make recommendations for funding and submit them to the United Way of Central Iowa Board of Directors, who will review and amend or approve those decisions. The final funding decisions will be disclosed to the applicants on July 1 (the first day of the fiscal year.)