The United Way of Greater Chattanooga is seeking applications for its Community Investments Grant.
Donor Name: United Way of Greater Chattanooga
State: Georgia, Tennessee
County: Catoosa County (GA), Dade County (GA), Hamilton County (TN), Marion County (TN), Sequatchie County (TN), Walker County (GA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/30/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The purpose of UWGC’s Community Investments is to drive transformational change in the community by directing the limited resources towards data-driven efforts that deliver the highest return on investment as measured by Opportunities for All Children, Economic Mobility for Families, and A More Connected Community outcomes within the UWGC 2030 Impact Agenda framework. The grantmaking emphasizes the importance of collaboration across non-profit organizations and prioritizes 2-generational approaches that invest in Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households with children.
For the 2026-27 cycle they have two funding streams that are open to new investments. Each fund supports a distinct part of the commitment to ALICE families—advancing innovative 2-generation solutions and meeting urgent, immediate needs.
Funding Opportunities
- Catalyst Fund
- The Catalyst Fund invests in programs that advance innovative two-generation approaches for ALICE households with children. These grants support organizations pursuing new ideas, testing creative solutions, or expanding promising programs that drive outcomes within UWGC’s Impact Measurement Framework. Catalyst Fund applicants are encouraged to pursue collaborative models with one or more partner organizations to strengthen program design, implementation, and long-term sustainability.
Types of Innovation Considered
The Catalyst Fund supports proposals that demonstrate clear potential to accelerate impact, including:
- New programs or new components of existing programs
- Scaling or expansion of programs with demonstrated success
- Piloting solutions that address root causes or barriers to effectiveness
- Innovative approaches or emerging ideas that strengthen outcomes for families
- Collaborative initiatives that leverage shared expertise, resources, or service delivery.
Bridge Fund
The Bridge Fund supports programs that provide direct, immediate assistance to individuals and families experiencing urgent need—such as food, health services, transportation, disaster relief, housing, and childcare. These investments ensure that families can access stabilizing supports quickly and with dignity.
Priorities
Bridge Fund applications will prioritize:
- 211 closed-loop referral partners, ensuring strong alignment with the region’s coordinated navigation system
- Programs staffed by trained professionals (Case Managers, Social Workers, Family Advocates, Family Support Specialists, etc.) who can administer emergency assistance responsibly and effectively
- Organizations that demonstrate the ability to link clients to wraparound supports beyond the immediate emergency
- Programs prepared to support community-wide emergency response in coordination with UWGC’s disaster relief network
- Organizations that can demonstrate staff capacity to responsibly administer emergency assistance
- For Bridge Fund Only: Indirect/administrative costs up to 15% are allowed.
Funding Information
The maximum request amount for each fund is $50,000.
Grant Period
Length of Funding: 1 year (July 2026 – June 2027).
Geographical Areas
- Hamilton County (TN)
- North Georgia (Catoosa, Dade, Walker Counties)
- Marion & Sequatchie Counties (TN)
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations should review the Eligibility Checklist to ensure minimum requirements are met. The Eligibility Checklist includes the following:
- The organization must meet the IRS standards for nonprofit status 501(c)(3) or faith-based organization. All applicants will be asked to submit your organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
- The organization will be asked to supply the most recent IRS Form 990 or 990 EZ.
- The organization must be chartered prior to January 1, 2023.
- Has services within Hamilton, Walker, Dade and/or Catoosa County
- The organization is committed to serving ALICE households.
- The organization demonstrates a commitment towards collaboration with another local organization(s) (nonprofits, businesses, or government) to accelerate impact.
- The organization must provide services and have staff (full-time, part-time, and/or volunteers) in the geographical region served.
- The organization must be able to supply the organization’s EIN/Tax ID#.
- UWGC conducts business through the internet and its website. Applicants must be able to send and receive email.
- UWGC makes its investment payments through EFT and will request appropriate banking information from organizations receiving funds. Grant recipients must be able to provide banking information.
- The organization must be committed and able to make measurable improvements for clients in one of the three focus areas for which United Way will invest funds. Measurable improvements must align with published outcomes and indicators.
- The organization must be willing and able to enter into a provider Agreement with United Way of Greater Chattanooga regarding the provision of services in compliance with United Way requirements – including submission of beneficiary reports of client demographics, program reports detailing outcomes achieved, and any supporting information, as requested by UWGC.
For more information, visit UWGC.
