The Valley of the Sun United Way is seeking applicants to build capacity and fund in community-based solutions through the impactful direction and measurement of resources.
Donor Name: Valley of the Sun United Way
Deadline: 02/14/2023
Size of the Grant: $70,000
Details:
Beginning in early 2020, Valley of the Sun United Way engaged in an extensive process to develop a new Five-Year Impact Agenda. A new Impact Agenda was a priority of the Valley of the Sun United Way Board of Directors and staff was charged to “Launch a deliberate outward-facing stakeholder/community engagement process to hear and understand: Todays most pressing regional issues facing Maricopa County residents; Aspirations for change with new, bold time-bound goals (5 years); and United Way’s best role in helping to achieve those aspirations.”
The focus is on aligning United Way and community resources to achieve a set of existing bold community goals in the areas of health, homelessness/housing, education and workforce development. The grants program provides funding that is competitive, open to nonprofits and schools operating in Maricopa County. It allows United Way to partner with community, organizations and schools for overall impact that moves forward their strategic priorities.
Focus Areas
Education
Aspiration
- Close opportunity gaps to ensure children read at grade level by 3rd grade and youth are prepared for educational success and employment.
Community Metrics to be Measured over Five Years:
- Increase 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency by 25%1
- Increase Youth Aged 16-24 Engaged in Education and Employment Opportunities by 38%2
Strategies
To achieve these goals and sub-goals, they will focus our funding in three areas:
- Early Education and Reading to Build and Strengthen Literacy Capacity of Practitioners in Early Learning Environments
- Parent and Family Support to Increase Online Learning and Socio-Emotional Supportive Services for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers.
- Youth Workforce Development Efforts Within P-12 Education will Increase Knowledge and Access to Basic Family Needs and Supportive Services.
Health
Aspiration
- Remove barriers to ensure everyone in their community is healthy, with a focus on access to food and health care.
Community Metrics to be Measured Over Five Years:
- Decrease Food Insecurity by 50%
- Increase Access to Affordable Healthcare by 100,000
Strategies
To achieve these goals and sub-goals, they will focus our funding in two areas:
- Food Access to Strengthen and Support the Emergency Food System and Home-Delivered Meals that Reduces Hunger in Families and Seniors.
- Comprehensive Healthcare Access (Physical, Mental, Behavioral) to Reduce Access Barriers (ex: Transportation, Social Determinants, Cost, Lack of Trust) through Culturally Appropriate Outreach and Services to Increase Participation in Comprehensive Healthcare Services.
Housing and Homelessness
Aspiration
- Ensure all can have a safe home to call their own.
Community Metric to be Measured Over Five Years:
- Reduce Homelessness by 50%
Strategies:
To achieve this goal and sub-goals they will focus their funding in three areas:
- Housing to Increase Investments in Services and Programs that Prioritize Social Determinants and Wraparound Services that Prevent and Assist those Experiencing Homelessness.
- Services / Programs to Decrease Individuals and Families Rate of Housing Insecurity through Targeted Investments of Rent/Utility Assistance, Housing Navigators, and Eviction Prevention and a long-term strategy to Improve Systems within Housing and Homeless Services to Reduce Barrier to Entry for Low-income, Hispanic/Latino, African American, Native American and Other Targeted Vulnerable Communities.
- Shelter to Support the Emergency Shelter System through Targeted Investment in Individual and Family Shelters that Move Households Out of Crisis.
Workforce Development
Aspiration:
- Ensure all have a living wage job
Community Metric to be Measured Over Five Years:
- Increase preparation of individuals for a living wage job by 33%
- Increase achievement of higher paying employment by 20% Strategies: To achieve this goal and sub-goals they will focus on their funding in:
Strategies:
To achieve this goal and sub-goals they will focus on their funding in:
- Access to Jobs to increase resources to help individuals obtain job opportunities that will raise their income and create sustainable careers by 2023. Work with partner employers, Valley businesses associations, education institutions, and other partners to develop long-term strategies and metrics that will increase the number of workers with high paying in-demand jobs.
Criteria
The grants program provides funding that is competitive, open to nonprofits and schools operating in Maricopa County. It allows United Way to partner with community, organizations and schools for overall impact that moves forward their strategic priorities. Grant funding is distributed on a quarterly basis.
For more information, visit Valley of the Sun United Way.
