Valley of the Sun United Way is excited to announce the competitive grant.
Donor Name: Valley of the Sun United Way
State: Arizona
County: Maricopa County (AZ)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/05/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This year’s process invites nonprofit partners to submit proposals addressing current community needs, with funding contingent on dollars raised in FY26.
Grants will support impact priorities across Education, Health, Housing & Homelessness, and Workforce Development—focusing on strengthening early literacy and family supports, increasing food access for vulnerable populations, expanding housing stability through wraparound services, and connecting individuals to in-demand, sustainable career pathways. Together, they aim to invest in solutions that help every person in the community thrive.
The following are the impact priorities that will be funded:
- Education
- Prioritizing supportive services that help students perform academically
- Early Education and Reading to Build and Strengthen Literacy Capacity of Practitioners in Early Learning Environments
- Parent and Family Support – Increase socio-emotional supportive services to parents, caregivers, and teachers
- Youth Workforce Development – Efforts within P-12 education increasing access to basic family needs and supportive services
Target population:
- Economically disadvantaged children /youth
- Title I Schools serving income low communities in Maricopa County
- Schools that are 25% below the state average ELA score
- Schools that have a 10-15% or higher dropout rate than the state average
- Program serving children/families that qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch or fall
- within the following categories:
- Schools that have a FRL of 80% or higher
- Special education
- English language learners
- Living in foster care or experiencing homelessness.
- Title I Schools serving income low communities in Maricopa County
- Health
- Prioritizing food insecurity amongst vulnerable populations
- Food Access – Support the Emergency Food System and home-delivered meals that reduce hunger in families and seniors.
- Prioritizing food insecurity amongst vulnerable populations
Target population:
- Economically disadvantaged households facing food insecurity
- Head of household/Single parent households
- Home-bound older adults o Individuals/families at risk of losing SNAP/WIC benefits
- Individuals/families living in food deserts.
- Housing and Homelessness
- Housing and Wraparound Services- Services and programs that prioritize social determinants and wraparound services that prevent and assist those experiencing homelessness.
Target population:
- Economically disadvantaged individuals/families
- At-risk of, or, experiencing homelessness
- Seniors
- Youth
- Justice-involved individuals.
- Workforce Development
- Prioritizing job placement and supportive services that help individuals become employed and self-sufficient
- Access to Jobs- Increase resources to help individuals obtain job opportunities that will raise their income and create sustainable careers and increase the number of workers with high paying in-demand jobs.
Target population:
- Economically disadvantaged individuals
- At-risk of, or, experiencing homelessness
- Justice involved individuals
- Head of household/Single parent households.
Funding Information
Minimum request is $25,000 and maximum request is $200,000/program.
Grant Period
July 2026 – June 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
501c3 nonprofit or schools can apply.
For more information, visit VSUW.
