United Way of Colquitt County Special Grants

The United Way of Colquitt County (UWCC) offers Special Grants as part of its ongoing mission to organize, coordinate, and maximize community resources to improve the quality of life in Colquitt County. UWCC has a longstanding history of raising and distributing funds from both individuals and the business sector through annual allocations and two primary grant types: Community Impact Grants and Special Grants. The Special Grant program targets unique, one-time projects that align with UWCC’s mission and are proposed by local non-profit or government agencies. Special Grants are offered annually with a defined timeline that begins with the application period in April and May. Submitted proposals go through a review by a committee from May to June, with final funding decisions made by the UWCC Board of Directors in June or July. Grants are then awarded in August during the Annual Campaign Kick-Off Event. Recipients must expend their awarded funds within 90 days of receipt, typically between September and November. Emergency requests outside this annual timeline may be considered with direct consultation with the Executive Director. These grants are specifically designed for one-time, non-recurring expenses that fall outside of typical annual operating or capital campaign costs. Acceptable projects must show demonstrable community benefit, be specific to Colquitt County, and align with UWCC’s mission. Special Grants are also a strategic tool for UWCC to respond to unforeseen community challenges like natural disasters or pandemics. Funding amounts under $2,500 are decided by the Grant Committee, while requests exceeding that threshold must be approved by the Board. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and other government or charitable entities that are incorporated in Georgia for at least one year. Applicants do not need to be current UWCC members. Each proposal must demonstrate community need and include metrics for success, plans for community visibility, and supporting documentation such as quotes, IRS status confirmation, and financial reviews or audits. Submissions can be made via email, postal mail, or in person by the May 12, 2025 deadline. Applications are reviewed by a committee consisting of UWCC board members and up to three non-board community field members. In some cases, applicants may be asked to meet with the committee. Approved projects must provide documentation showing project completion. All submissions must be on official forms provided by UWCC, and the final application must include dual signatures from executive leadership affirming the truthfulness and accuracy of the application.