Changemaker Grants
Trident United Way Changemaker Grants mobilize resources and empower nonprofits dedicated to making a positive impact in the Tri-County community. Grants are awarded in cycles, each with a cycle-specific focus on investing in the areas of greatest impact while aligning with TUW priorities.
2024-2025 Grants
Cycle 1: Capacity Building
Capacity-building Funding is an investment in the effectiveness, efficacy and future sustainability of a nonprofit or agency by providing resources to improve and/or expand an organization's mission. It can enhance the strategic planning and implementation of operational and organizational structures and long-term goals. Capacity-building grants, therefore, focus not on the outward-facing work but the inner workings, means and systems of the organization.
Timeline
Changemaker Grant Information Sessions
A representative from any nonprofit organization or agency interested in applying for a Changemaker Grant must attend one session. In-person attendance is recommended for all.
In-person information sessions with be held at the Trident United Way offices at 6296 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston.
Changemaker Grant Application Open
September 18, 2024
Changemaker Grant Application Deadline
October 7, 2024
Application Review & Decision Making
October 8, 2024 - October 25, 2024
Grant Notifications
November 11, 2024
- Organization is currently providing one or more of the services covered by the grant funds and has been for at least one year
- Organization must be able to provide 990 or 990EZ
- Other standard documentation required (501c3, Sec. of State Registration, BOD, Non-Discrimination Policy, etc.)
- Organization must be registered with SC Secretary of State
- Organization has been established for at least a year
- At least 60% of the agency service population is at the ALICE Threshold or Below
- Not classified as a private foundation and does not engage in political activities as defined by the IRS
- Agencies provide services to clients and/or beneficiaries without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran and/or disability service, based on client population
- Board of Directors structure with at least three non-compensated members who are also not related by blood or marriage
- Align with TUW’s priority areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health and Basic Needs
- Does not require religious worship, instruction or proselytization to receive services
- Eligibility Checklist and documentation validation by TUW staff
- The Changemaker Grant Review Council, consisting of trained community volunteers, has experience and understanding of Trident United Way mission, investment strategy and grant process, will review the applications, score, rank and discuss the applications recommendations on funding allocations
- A rubric will be used for scoring applications based on
- Completeness & Clarity of application
- Alignment with TUW’s focus areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health and Basic Needs
- Feasibility of the described activity or project
- Impact of the described activity or project on the organization
- A final decision making meeting will be held with all review council members providing feedback and input on funding awards
Questions? Please email funding@tuw.org.
2023-2024 Quarterly Grants
Q1: Capacity Building Click here to learn more and view grant recipients
Q2: ALICE® - Barriers to Financial Security Click here to learn more and view grant recipients
Q3: ALICE® - Persons of Color Led or Serving Click here to learn more and view grant recipients
Q4: Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention in 29405 and 29406 Click here to learn more and view grant recipients
Volunteer to serve on the Changemaker Grants Review Council
Trident United Way is seeking individuals who are interested in serving on the Changemaker Grants Review Council. The main function of this review council is to help review applications and recommend funding for the grants, and to ensure the funding provided helps achieve the greatest impact/need. TUW is honored to enlist, engage and train community volunteers to review grant applications and inform funding recommendations on behalf of the community we all call home.
Please contact Katherine with any questions at ktorbush@tuw.org.