Eligibility Criteria
Note: As of the 2025 Call for Proposals, non-profit organizations who are not registered charities may apply for funding directly from UWEO and do not require a sponsor if they meet the other criteria outlined below. Non-profits which are not a registered charity may only receive a maximum of $50,000 annually. If a non-profit's funding from UWEO is larger than $50,000 annually, a charitable sponsor will be required.
All applicants must meet all of following criteria:
- Applicant must be a registered charity (with its own RR number) or be a First Nations Band designated as a qualified donee by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a registered nonprofit organization
- Applicant must maintain a volunteer board that meets regularly.
- Applicant must host an Annual General Meeting.
- The applicant must carry sufficient liability insurance (at least $2 million) to cover the program/project seeking United Way funding.
- Applicant must provide financial statements that have been audited by a licensed public accountant.*
* Agencies with revenues under $250,000 may submit reviewed statements in lieu of audited statements. Reviewed statements should also come from a licensed public accountant.
If any of the above criteria are not met, applicants must enter into a formal partner sponsorship agreement with a charitable organization that meets all of the above criteria.
Other Criteria
- The activities proposed by the applicant must benefit residents in one of United Way East Ontario’s catchment areas (Ottawa, Lanark County, Renfrew County, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell).
- The applicant’s primary focus and mandate must be within the social services sector.
- The program, project or initiative applied for must be aligned with UWEO’s Mission.
- The request submitted by the applicant must clearly support stated strategic priority/focus area.
- The applicant (or partnering sponsor organization, in the case of sponsored applicants) must be financially solvent.
- Non-profit organizations only: Applicants must provide details of how the agency has worked with United Way East Ontario (e.g. funded through other funding streams, participated on network tables, etc.).
- Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants Ineligible For Funding
- Charities or non-profits sponsoring for-profit organizations or for-profit ventures, with the exception of social enterprise or non-profit community economic development activities.
- Hospitals or medical treatment programs.
- Educational institutions and organizations, including school boards, schools, universities, colleges and parent-teacher associations.
- Faith-based organizations that require an adherence to or promotion of a religious faith as a condition of receiving supports or services.
- Political parties.
- Fundraising events or organizations, service clubs and foundations that act primarily to raise funds for distribution to other organizations, with the exception of foundations that are raising funds for a directly related organization.
- Organizations whose policies or practices contravene the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Costs Ineligible For Funding
- Retirement of debts or budget deficits.
- Costs for large capital equipment or expenses related to construction, or the development of facilities.
- Wage subsidies for program participants.
General Advice
The following guidelines were created to help you develop your proposal. They are drawn from the comments and feedback of our volunteer assessors and staff. Please keep the following points in mind when completing your proposal.
•Use of Acronyms. In order to save space, agency resort to using acronyms which becomes difficult to follow at times. If you must use acronyms, spell it out fully at least once in each section of the proposal. Other information or statements do not need to be repeated in multiple sections.
•Who, where. Be extremely clear who your program is serving, where the program is operating (especially if multiple locations).
•Pay very close attention to the guidelines.
•Get Feedback. Have someone outside your agency, who is experienced in the field review your proposal. Get as much feedback as you can.
•Be concise and specific. Given the word count limit on the fields, use the available space wisely by being concise, concrete and specific in your answer. When answering a question, make sure you are directly answering the question and all parts of the question. Avoid trying to fill in space with extraneous information and avoid trying to fit every criteria perfectly. Please ensure that your proposed activities clearly outline the program/project.
•Budget your time. Give yourself enough time to have all documents required for the document checklist and the signature page prepared well in advance of the deadline.
•Beware of assumptions. While our Assessors are knowledgeable of the sector within which they are assessing, do not assume that they know your program/project in great detail. Please ensure that your request clearly explains why and how United Way funding would be used.
•Know your audience. Tailor your proposal to a broad but educated audience; keep in mind that your readers may not have the same familiarity with terminology and acronyms of your field.
•Consistency is key. Please ensure that your proposal depicts a consistent and complete story of what you are proposing to do. Make sure the information presented in one question response does not contradict the information in another. This is especially important when multiple authors are writing a request.
•Support statements with data. For instance, when discussing agency capacity, it is not enough to state that the program was a success, provide examples of key results that demonstrate success.
•United Way funding is for programs, rather than core agency funding. Agencies submitting proposals that do not define a clear program, reduce their chances of being funded as it is unlikely that ALL agency activities are tightly aligned to the strategic priority.
NOTE:
Only one proposal per target population per strategic priority may be submitted. If a client or beneficiary could feasibly attend both of your programs, then they should be submitted as one application.
FAQs
For FAQs about using SurveyMonkey Apply and technical troubleshooting, please click here.
Q: What are the main changes between this years’ Call for Proposal (CFP) 2025 and the last CFP 2024?
A: As of the 2025 Call for Proposals, non-profit organizations who are not registered charities may apply for funding directly from UWEO and do not require a sponsor if they meet the other criteria. Non-profits which are not a registered charity may only receive a maximum of $50,000 annually. If a non-profit's funding from UWEO is larger than $50,000 annually, a charitable sponsor will be required.
Additionally, the strategic priorities in Lanark County have been expanded and now include Crisis Supports, Mental Health and Addictions, and School Readiness in addition to the priorities available in previous calls for proposals.
Finally, based on feedback from applicants and reviewers, the application form has been updated to better capture program details and eliminate repetition of information across sections. The scoring rubric has been updated accordingly.
Q: What if my organization serves residents in multiple counties and/or cities?
A: Any programs operating within UWEO’s catchment area (e.g. a program in Lanark and Renfrew counties) may submit one application for the entire program. If a program operates both within and outside of UWEO boundaries (e.g. Ottawa and Cornwall), please indicate how funds will be used to ensure that UWEO dollars are spent within our designated catchment area.
Q: Will the Assessors have access to other documentation or information, such as our program reports?
A: Assessors will have access to the most recent program reports for currently funded programs who are reapplying. Strategic Priority Directors (United Way staff) will provide assessors with an overview of agency reporting and results prior to discussion of applications for that agency. However, proposals should be written as stand-alone documents, there should be no assumption that the assessors know the applicant agencies or program.
Q: What is the Assessment process after we submit?
A: The assessors will score and rank each proposal based on evidence provided that supports that the proposed program or project will deliver measurable results, its mechanisms for tracking and evaluating the program’s effectiveness, its collaboration with other community organizations, the full budget, etc. For more details, see the “Investment Guiding Principals” page.
Based on the careful evaluation and discussion of the merits of each proposal, Investment Committee (IC) will then make funding recommendations. These recommendations are subsequently reviewed and approved by United Way’s Corporate Oversight Committee.
Links to More Information
Indicators and Data Collection
Focus Area and Strategic Priority Descriptions
Community Fund Call for Proposals
Eligibility Criteria
Note: As of the 2025 Call for Proposals, non-profit organizations who are not registered charities may apply for funding directly from UWEO and do not require a sponsor if they meet the other criteria outlined below. Non-profits which are not a registered charity may only receive a maximum of $50,000 annually. If a non-profit's funding from UWEO is larger than $50,000 annually, a charitable sponsor will be required.
All applicants must meet all of following criteria:
- Applicant must be a registered charity (with its own RR number) or be a First Nations Band designated as a qualified donee by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a registered nonprofit organization
- Applicant must maintain a volunteer board that meets regularly.
- Applicant must host an Annual General Meeting.
- The applicant must carry sufficient liability insurance (at least $2 million) to cover the program/project seeking United Way funding.
- Applicant must provide financial statements that have been audited by a licensed public accountant.*
* Agencies with revenues under $250,000 may submit reviewed statements in lieu of audited statements. Reviewed statements should also come from a licensed public accountant.
If any of the above criteria are not met, applicants must enter into a formal partner sponsorship agreement with a charitable organization that meets all of the above criteria.
Other Criteria
- The activities proposed by the applicant must benefit residents in one of United Way East Ontario’s catchment areas (Ottawa, Lanark County, Renfrew County, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell).
- The applicant’s primary focus and mandate must be within the social services sector.
- The program, project or initiative applied for must be aligned with UWEO’s Mission.
- The request submitted by the applicant must clearly support stated strategic priority/focus area.
- The applicant (or partnering sponsor organization, in the case of sponsored applicants) must be financially solvent.
- Non-profit organizations only: Applicants must provide details of how the agency has worked with United Way East Ontario (e.g. funded through other funding streams, participated on network tables, etc.).
- Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants Ineligible For Funding
- Charities or non-profits sponsoring for-profit organizations or for-profit ventures, with the exception of social enterprise or non-profit community economic development activities.
- Hospitals or medical treatment programs.
- Educational institutions and organizations, including school boards, schools, universities, colleges and parent-teacher associations.
- Faith-based organizations that require an adherence to or promotion of a religious faith as a condition of receiving supports or services.
- Political parties.
- Fundraising events or organizations, service clubs and foundations that act primarily to raise funds for distribution to other organizations, with the exception of foundations that are raising funds for a directly related organization.
- Organizations whose policies or practices contravene the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Costs Ineligible For Funding
- Retirement of debts or budget deficits.
- Costs for large capital equipment or expenses related to construction, or the development of facilities.
- Wage subsidies for program participants.
General Advice
The following guidelines were created to help you develop your proposal. They are drawn from the comments and feedback of our volunteer assessors and staff. Please keep the following points in mind when completing your proposal.
•Use of Acronyms. In order to save space, agency resort to using acronyms which becomes difficult to follow at times. If you must use acronyms, spell it out fully at least once in each section of the proposal. Other information or statements do not need to be repeated in multiple sections.
•Who, where. Be extremely clear who your program is serving, where the program is operating (especially if multiple locations).
•Pay very close attention to the guidelines.
•Get Feedback. Have someone outside your agency, who is experienced in the field review your proposal. Get as much feedback as you can.
•Be concise and specific. Given the word count limit on the fields, use the available space wisely by being concise, concrete and specific in your answer. When answering a question, make sure you are directly answering the question and all parts of the question. Avoid trying to fill in space with extraneous information and avoid trying to fit every criteria perfectly. Please ensure that your proposed activities clearly outline the program/project.
•Budget your time. Give yourself enough time to have all documents required for the document checklist and the signature page prepared well in advance of the deadline.
•Beware of assumptions. While our Assessors are knowledgeable of the sector within which they are assessing, do not assume that they know your program/project in great detail. Please ensure that your request clearly explains why and how United Way funding would be used.
•Know your audience. Tailor your proposal to a broad but educated audience; keep in mind that your readers may not have the same familiarity with terminology and acronyms of your field.
•Consistency is key. Please ensure that your proposal depicts a consistent and complete story of what you are proposing to do. Make sure the information presented in one question response does not contradict the information in another. This is especially important when multiple authors are writing a request.
•Support statements with data. For instance, when discussing agency capacity, it is not enough to state that the program was a success, provide examples of key results that demonstrate success.
•United Way funding is for programs, rather than core agency funding. Agencies submitting proposals that do not define a clear program, reduce their chances of being funded as it is unlikely that ALL agency activities are tightly aligned to the strategic priority.
NOTE:
Only one proposal per target population per strategic priority may be submitted. If a client or beneficiary could feasibly attend both of your programs, then they should be submitted as one application.
FAQs
For FAQs about using SurveyMonkey Apply and technical troubleshooting, please click here.
Q: What are the main changes between this years’ Call for Proposal (CFP) 2025 and the last CFP 2024?
A: As of the 2025 Call for Proposals, non-profit organizations who are not registered charities may apply for funding directly from UWEO and do not require a sponsor if they meet the other criteria. Non-profits which are not a registered charity may only receive a maximum of $50,000 annually. If a non-profit's funding from UWEO is larger than $50,000 annually, a charitable sponsor will be required.
Additionally, the strategic priorities in Lanark County have been expanded and now include Crisis Supports, Mental Health and Addictions, and School Readiness in addition to the priorities available in previous calls for proposals.
Finally, based on feedback from applicants and reviewers, the application form has been updated to better capture program details and eliminate repetition of information across sections. The scoring rubric has been updated accordingly.
Q: What if my organization serves residents in multiple counties and/or cities?
A: Any programs operating within UWEO’s catchment area (e.g. a program in Lanark and Renfrew counties) may submit one application for the entire program. If a program operates both within and outside of UWEO boundaries (e.g. Ottawa and Cornwall), please indicate how funds will be used to ensure that UWEO dollars are spent within our designated catchment area.
Q: Will the Assessors have access to other documentation or information, such as our program reports?
A: Assessors will have access to the most recent program reports for currently funded programs who are reapplying. Strategic Priority Directors (United Way staff) will provide assessors with an overview of agency reporting and results prior to discussion of applications for that agency. However, proposals should be written as stand-alone documents, there should be no assumption that the assessors know the applicant agencies or program.
Q: What is the Assessment process after we submit?
A: The assessors will score and rank each proposal based on evidence provided that supports that the proposed program or project will deliver measurable results, its mechanisms for tracking and evaluating the program’s effectiveness, its collaboration with other community organizations, the full budget, etc. For more details, see the “Investment Guiding Principals” page.
Based on the careful evaluation and discussion of the merits of each proposal, Investment Committee (IC) will then make funding recommendations. These recommendations are subsequently reviewed and approved by United Way’s Corporate Oversight Committee.
Links to More Information
Indicators and Data Collection
Focus Area and Strategic Priority Descriptions