Community Impact Partner Grant Application
The grant application for this cycle is now CLOSED. The grant application for the 2025-2026 funding cycle opens on April 15 with a submission deadline of May 8.
Our Commitment to RBA
United Way of North Central Ohio is committed to using RBA (Results-Based Accountability) and collective impact to direct our organization’s focus and funding, and our applications rely heavily on RBA processes.
If you are a first-time applicant who has not undergone our RBA training and are unfamiliar with the process and terminology (or if you are a returning applicant who would like a refresher overview), PLEASE reach out to Erica at 740.383.3108 or erica@unitedwaynco.org.
We are excited about RBA and will be happy to help you understand the process.
Community Impact Partner Grant Classes
UWNCO Sustaining Grant
- Grants of $5001 or more are Community Impact Sustaining Grants. Application is made annually with award funds distributed at intervals in the funding cycle. Sustaining grant recipients are required to complete impact partner reporting twice during the funding cycle.
UWNCO Small Grant
- Grants of $5000 or less are Small Grants. RBA application is made annually with one distribution of funds. There is no partner reporting requirement.
The Five Conditions of Collective Impact
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What is RBA?
Basic RBA Principles
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RBA is Results-Based Accountability. RBA uses a data-driven, decision-making process to help communities and organizations get beyond talking about problems to taking action to solve problems. It is a simple, common sense framework that everyone can understand. RBA starts with ends and works backward, towards means. The “end” or difference you are trying to make looks slightly different if you are working on a broad community level or are focusing on your specific program or organization.
United Way of North Central Ohio is committed to using RBA and collective impact throughout our funding process. Please use the resources below as needed while completing the application.
RBA Definitions.
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RBA Glossary
RESULT. Results are conditions of well-being for entire populations – children, adults, families or communities – stated in plain language.
INDICATOR. Indicators are measures that help quantify the achievement of a population result. They answer the question “How would we recognize these results in measurable terms if we fell over them.” Indicators refer only to whole populations, not programs.
PROGRAM. A program, agency, or service system responsible for helping reach the stated RESULTS. Programs are not themselves STRATEGIES; they are expressions of strategies.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE. Performance Measures are measures of how well public and private programs and agencies are working. The most important performance measures tell us whether the clients or customers of the service are better off. Performance Measure can apply to entire agencies, service delivery systems, or individual programs.
CURRENT VALUE. The current level of achievement for an Indicator or Performance Measure at a point in time.
TARGET VALUE. A desired level of achievement for an Indicator or Performance Measure.
Selecting Performance Measures
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Accountability: The Whole vs. the Parts
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Turn the Curve Thinking
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United Way of NCO Results & Indicators
RESULT: All residents in north central Ohio live in vibrant neighborhoods.
INDICATORS:
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- % of residents with gross rent payments higher than 30% of household income
- % of residents with gross mortgage payments higher than 30% of household income
- % of occupied housing units
RESULT: All children in north central Ohio will achieve their full potential.
INDICATORS:
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- % of students reading at proficiency by 4th grade
- % of students who receive a high school diploma in 4 years
- % of students who demonstrate kindergarten readiness
- % of preschoolers with access to accredited early childhood programs
RESULT: All children and adults in north central Ohio are mentally and physically healthy.
INDICATORS:
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- % of people with access to mental health services
- Rate of abused and neglected children
- % of food insecure individuals
- Suicide rate
RESULT: All residents in north central Ohio are able to meet their financial needs.
INDICATORS:
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- % of households with incomes greater than 200% of the poverty rate
- Rate of unemployment
- % of 16 to 23 year olds not working or in school (disconnected youth)
Application Process Information
The online application is best viewed and completed in these browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge.
Please provide as much detail as possible about your organization and its community impact. Most fields require an answer, indicated by *. Detailed responses will provide more data on which your application can be scored.
When your application submission is complete, you’ll be redirected to a confirmation page which includes a short survey about the process. You will also receive an email at the email address you provided confirming the successful submission and including your responses to the application fields. You can print this email to have a record of your completed application. If you DO NOT receive a confirmation email (please check your spam folder) then your application may not be complete. PLEASE email laura@unitedwaynco.org or call us at 740-383-3108 to check.
If you have questions about the application, please call 740-383-3108.
