Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Why are we conducting this effort?
These are unprecedented times. The recent economic downturn has affected many of our neighbors throughout the region; unemployment is on the rise, people are losing their homes through foreclosure, and families face significant uncertainty about their financial future. The need for basic services – housing, food, and healthcare– is growing, as more and more people find themselves in difficult financial situations. As we work together as a community, as a state, and as a nation to develop long-term solutions to this crisis, United Way of Greater Waterbury and Connecticut Community Foundation wanted to make sure that our neighbors have their emergency basic needs met during the stressful months ahead.

Why are United Way of Greater Waterbury and the CT Community Foundation undertaking this effort together?
We are collaborating on Helping Neighbors Now because of our shared values and because we believe that by working together, we can help more individuals and families in crisis. Both organizations provide leadership around social services and community needs. We are both committed to helping others, particularly those who are less fortunate. Both organizations have a shared desire to promote the common good and to make this community a better place for all of us. By working together, we believe we can be more successful in raising funds to meet urgent and basic needs in our region.

The UWGW will provide basic needs assistance through area non-profits serving the ten-town area, while Connecticut Community Foundation will provide assistance through municipalities in their twenty-one town area. The goal of the partnership is to speak with one voice as we jointly ask for support for the emerging critical needs in our community.

Who will benefit from the money raised?
The funds will benefit individuals and families through local services that can provide immediate assistance with housing, food, and healthcare.

How will the money be distributed?
Funds will be distributed in two ways. United Way will give grants through local nonprofits providing services in the UWGW ten-town area. CT Community Foundation will give grants to towns or community needy funds administered by the twenty-one towns served by the Foundation. United Way of Greater Waterbury (UWGW) Emergency Fund will distribute funds through an application process open to non-profits that meet the eligibility criteria (to access the application and see the eligibility criteria, please go to "Agencies: Apply Online"). A committee comprised of community members with expertise about the needs in our region will review United Way grant applications and make decisions about how to distribute the funds. Funds will be distributed as dollars are raised so that agencies can use these additional resources to help more people now.
For information on the Connecticut Community Foundation Emergency Fund go to http://www.conncf.org.

Are we going to be giving money directly to people?
Funds will be distributed to programs and agencies, and municipalities which in turn will provide basic need direct services to individuals and families.
The application asks what needs the grant money will address. The objective is to provide assistance for basic needs related to food, housing (including shelter, foreclosure, security deposit, emergency rental assistance, and utility assistance), and healthcare.

Is my organization eligible to apply?
Criteria for receiving a UWGW Emergency Fund grant award includes:
· Applicants must meet UWGW Emergency Fund Eligibility Criteria
· Applications must address one of the specified emergency needs
· Applicants must submit a complete, compelling and accurate electronic application during the timeframe provided that clearly describes the services to be provided through UWGW Emergency Fund funds and how the funds will enable the program to expand/improve its services.
· Applicants must be able to provide the number of people to be impacted by the grant.
· Grant recipients must agree to provide documentation on how grant funds were utilized.
As referenced above, applicants must certify that they meet the following eligibility criteria:
· Serve individuals and families in the greater Waterbury region, including the towns of Southbury, Woodbury, Middlebury, Watertown, Thomaston, Wolcott, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Prospect, and Waterbury.
· Be a nonprofit 501(c)(3).
· Have a voluntary Board of Directors.
· Have demonstrated the capacity to deliver food, housing, and/or healthcare programs.
· Will use funds to supplement and extend existing resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services.
· Organizations must provide supplemental financial documents. Please note: Organizations currently receiving United Way of Greater Waterbury program funding do not need to submit supplemental financial documents.

Can I collaborate with another agency for this funding opportunity?
Yes, agencies can collaborate for UWGW Emergency Fund funding. Please list the organizations' names in Section 1 of the UWGW Emergency Fund application - letters are not needed. In the narrative of the application, please describe how you anticipate the dollars being distributed among the applying organizations and detail the specific roles each partner will take on and the services they will provide.

How do I submit an application to the UWGW Emergency Fund?
The grant application form is electronic and should be submitted to renee.young@ctunitedway.org. Please save your application using the following naming format: yourorganization_helpingneighborsNOW.pdf. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted. Supplemental financial documents are preferred through electronic submission, but hardcopy will be accepted.

What if items are not saving properly?
If you are unable to properly save information in the application, please notify Rebecca Williams at United Way of Greater Waterbury via email at rebecca.williams@ctunitedway.org or by calling (203) 757-9855, x21.

Does my organization need to be a Member Agency to apply?
No. Any organization that is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and has a proven track record of providing basic needs services that meets the criteria stated above is eligible to apply.

What are some other ways we can help to provide support to our community?
There are many ways to help your neighbor. If your agency is not eligible to apply or looking to provide additional support to our community during this difficult time, we invite you to lend a helping hand to one and influence the condition of all.
One way to make a difference is to utilize United Way’s 2-1-1 information line, which collects comprehensive health and human services information and makes it accessible in several formats; including 24/7 phone access (by calling 2-1-1) as well as free internet access (http://211ct.org/) to the online databases. 2-1-1 also lists volunteer opportunities in the community.

How much funding should I ask for?
Grant requests can be up to $10,000. Organizations may submit more than one application, however, a maximum amount an individual agency can receive from this pool will be determined based on the total amount raised.
Successful applicants for UWGW Emergency Fund grants will clearly demonstrate how the requested funding will help your organization serve more people in crisis, or provide more enhanced or additional services to those whom you are already serving. No portion of the grant may be used for overhead expenses.

Who is reviewing UWGW Emergency Fund applications?
A volunteer committee comprised of local community members and staff from United Way will be reviewing the UWGW Emergency Fund applications.

When is the application due and when will I know if the grant is awarded?
Deadline for grant request submissions is bi-weekly during the six-week period between March 20 and May 1, 2009. Submission deadlines are April 3rd, April 17th, and April 30th by 12:00 noon. Notice will be provided biweekly and checks will be mailed the next business day. Applications that are incomplete or unclear may require additional information in order to be reviewed and will be delayed to a review date later in the cycle. United Way Emergency Fund will make grants based on the dollars that are available at the time applications are received.

My organization is not currently receiving funding from United Way or the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. What financial documents are required?
Organizations that receive funding through United Way or the current Emergency Food and Shelter Program are not required to submit any additional financial documentation. Applicants, however, who do not receive such funding must certify that they demonstrate sound financial practices and status by submitting the following documents for the applicant or lead agency (if a collaborative):
· Organizations with revenues of $250,000 or less, IRS Form 990 may be submitted in lieu of the independently-prepared financial statement.
· Organizations with revenues up to $500,000 may submit an independent accountant’s review report along with IRS form 990.
· Organizations with revenue over $500,000 must submit an audited financial statement along with IRS form 990.
· Anti-terrorism & Agency Compliance Certification (download at Grant Materials)

If I receive a grant, what are the reporting expectations?
Grantees will be required to submit a report that includes:
- the number of people served by the grant
- demographic information (age, residence, income, race/ethnicity, gender)
- type of assistance provided
- determination on the resolution of the crisis.

A final report will be required four months after the grant is awarded or before entertaining additional requests, detailing all the services provided, client profile, and resolution. United Way staff may contact the grantee periodically during the funding period to gather program statistics and stories. Failure to comply with the reporting requirements may jeopardize future funding.