Applying for Funds

Only programs approved by the Board of Directors and administered by partner agencies can apply for United Way of Roanoke Valley funds distributed through the Community Investment Process. Agencies housing those programs undergo both program and administrative reviews conducted by trained volunteers, with United Way staff support.

The program review verifies that following standard criteria are met:

• Program is aligned with one or more United Way strategic directions.
• The need for the program is well substantiated and the program clearly addresses the need with its services.
• Services are well-designed to meet program’s goals and objectives. Program uses strategic planning to modify its goals and objectives as needed
• Program shows concrete evidence of meaningful partnership and/or collaboration with other organization or has justified why it does not collaborate.
• Program complies with current United Way expectations regarding outcome measurement and has a mechanism for using the data it collects to improve the program.
• Program clearly justifies the use of United Way funds to offer services that achieve the program’s goals and objectives.

The administrative review is conducted by volunteers with auditing or financial backgrounds. They measure partner agency performance by these standards:

• Demonstrated adequate board participation.
• Recent audit and other financial documents that reveal sound financial management.
• Agency’s operating reserves do not exceed a level equivalent to full operating costs for six months, unless there is an acceptable reason, given the nature and function of the organization.
• Personnel management practices use written job descriptions, regular performance reviews, and reasonable annual salary increases, unless an acceptable reason is provided, and excluding raises as a result of promotion and/or job responsibility changes.
• Overhead expenses including fundraising costs do not exceed 25% of total agency expenses, unless there is an acceptable reason, given the nature and function of the organization.

If an agency is not in compliance with all five standards, its program application will be reviewed and a funding recommendation made, yet actual funding may be withheld until the issue(s) in question is addressed by the agency in a manner that is acceptable to the Administrative Review panel.