TRANSACTIONAL → TRANSFORMATIONAL

At Metro United Way, we have transitioned from a historical community chest model to a new impact model where MUW strategically and proactively seeks to change the social determinants of education, economic mobility, and health in the Greater Louisville region. This is being done through bringing together powerful solutions to address root causes of systemic issues to ensure positive, sustainable change – moving from transactional to transformational and from investing in nonprofits to investing in solutions.

For part of our work to achieve gains in educational success, we have shifted to a flexible RFP process using trust-based philanthropy principles that enable us to invest in breakthrough innovations and effective interventions to meet today’s challenges. This has allowed us to engage a wider variety of organizations with transformative ideas while continuing to work with legacy partners on new ventures.

STRATEGIES

Youth Empowerment– Build, share, and wield power with young people. Create meaningful opportunities and structures for youth to develop and exercise their voices.
For example:

• Community and organizational youth council advisory boards
• Empowering young people to address structural and systemic barriers for youth success
• Partnering with young people to research, plan and implement social action projects
• Mentoring Relationships

Academic Success– Provide academic supports to students.
For example:

• Homework help – safe and supportive environment for students to excel academically and learn study skills
• Tutoring – long-term commitment to support student academic success through tutoring relationships
• Academic coaching- long-term commitment to guide and empower young people to succeed academically

Family Engagement– Support practices and policies that engage families of young people served and connects them to community supports.
For example:

• Involving and empowering parents of young people served: Regular communication, parent/family activities, community conversations, serving as a resource and referral source for the families served.
• Involving parents as volunteers, mentors or in leadership roles within the organization.

Youth Wellness– Prioritize the mental, physical, and emotional health of young people.
For example:

• Provide a safe physical and emotional environment that fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance.
• Promotion of youth mental and physical wellness.
• Promotion of youth social emotional skills development.

Transferrable Skills – Develop skills in young people that will prepare them to be successful in school, at home, and for career and life.
For example:

• Programs/activities that have specific learning goals for youth participants.
• Activities that provide quality experiential learning experiences for young people.
• Focus on engaging young people in meaningful activities that provide opportunities for learning skills that will prepare them for success.
• Project-based learning experiences where young people work collaboratively.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Internal Revenue Service has ruled the applicant to be a federally recognized tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization or the organization has an application in process and a fiduciary agent.
• The applicant provides services to young people within the ages 6 to 24 years of age.
• The applicant is requesting funds for programming proven to be effective and aligned with at least one of the five strategies outlined above to create healthier systems and educational success.
• The applicant is seeking funds for programs, services, or strategies that serve young people in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana.
• The applicant must be able to comply with MUW’s Grant Agreement.
• Organizations may only submit one application per agency for this particular Metro United Way investment opportunity. Applicants may include a cumulative funding request for more than one program/service provided by their agency in their single application.