2026 GRANT APPLICATION WINDOW OPENS FEB. 11
United Way of Cascade County invites local nonprofits that are working to help youth succeed by focusing on education outcomes, help working families/individuals become more financially stable and make Cascade County healthier to apply for funding.
Any Cascade County nonprofit is eligible to apply for funds. The application for funding asks groups to explain their goals, activities planned to accomplish their goals, metrics they will use to determine their success and a detailed budget for the activities for which they are requesting funding.
United Way recruits community volunteers to review the applications, listen to presentations and determine which nonprofits' proposals will get the best results and best align with our organizational goals. United Way of Cascade County is working to build a stronger community, creating opportunities for everyone by focusing on the following community-level outcomes:
- Youth Opportunity - Helping young people realize their full potential.
- Financial Security - Creating a stronger financial future for every generation.
- Healthy Community - Improving health and well-being for all.
The volunteers also will review reports from the nonprofits on their progress. All nonprofits that receive funds must submit reports documenting their outcomes.
To receive funds, agencies must qualify as tax exempt under federal law, be licensed by the state of Montana, meet certain financial reporting requirements and cannot discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or disability. Government agencies and faith-based organizations can apply for funds if they meet United Way's policy requirements.
For the current fiscal year, United Way of Cascade County partners with 24 local nonprofits to fund 30 programs.
2026 KEY DATES FOR NONPROFITS
(All in person meetings will be at Montana Credit Union, 15 14th St. S.)
Feb. 23, 10 a.m to noon - Mandatory training for grant applicants
March 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Optional online Q&A for applicants (this is being offered because we are switching to an all online process this year.)
April 2 - Applications due no later than 5 p.m.
April 14, noon-1 p.m. - Optional online coaching on next steps.
April 22 - Applicants will receive feedback and questions from grant volunteers.
April 29 - Applicants must submit answers to questions by the end of the day.
May 5 or 6 - Applicants will present to grant volunteers (United Way will contact to arrange times.)
May 29 - Grant applicants will learn funding decisions.
Jan. 29 & July 30, 2027 - Grant reports due.
This year all applications will be submitted and managed through an online portal. You will need to create a login using the above link.
To help with the transition to the new system, United Way staff will provide information on the new system during our mandatory training on Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at Montana Credit Union. We will also offer online "drop-in" tech coaching on March 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is optional and can be accessed using the Zoom Meeting ID: 880 3426 1464 and the passcode: 724826. A second optional drop-in online coaching session on next steps will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. on APril 14 to answer questions about next steps. To access the Zoom meeting use the meeting ID: 822 5202 0758 and passcode: 551949.
Click here to review our grant guidelines and application
Click here to see important dates in the grant process
Please direct questions to Lacey Hallett at 406-781-5405 or by email at lacey.hallett@uwccmt.org
United Way recruits 40-50 volunteers each year to review grant proposals and determine how to invest local donations. Because we are switching to a new online system, we ask that return volunteers AND new volunteer attend our volunteer training on March 24 or to watch a recorded training before reviewing proposals.
All in person meetings will be at Montana Credit Union, 15 14th St. S.
If you are interested, click the above link. Have questions? Contact Lacey Hallett at 406-781-5405 or by email at lacey.hallett@uwccmt.org
KEY DATES FOR VOLUNTEERS
March 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Volunteer training
April 7-17 - Volunteers review proposals and submit questions for feedback
May 5 OR 6 - Volunteers will hear presentations from the grant applicants. Volunteers need to be available on one of the two days.
May 11, 9 a.m. to noon - Volunteers from each subcommittee will meet to discuss and finalize all grant awards. This meeting typically doesn't take the entire three hours.
Feb. 23, 2027, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Volunteers are asked to review six-month progress reports and share their feedback using the online system between Jan. 30 and Feb. 22. We will meet to discuss any concerns and possible changes to the future grant process.
Aug. 24, 2027, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Volunteer are asked to review year-end progress reports and share their feedback using the online system between Aug. 1-23. We will meet to discuss any concerns and possible changes to the future grant process.