SPRING ALLOCATIONS GRANT 2026

This grant is open to any area 501(c)(3) that has been in existence for three or more years and is currently serving Warren, Knox, Henderson, or Mercer counties. Please read the instructions below and submit your application, along with the information requested, together on one PDF file. 

Grant applications will be accepted for any of the following: programming, capacity building, or equipment/supplies. Applications for capital campaigns are not accepted. We strongly recommend that you prepare your application in advance on a Word document and paste it in online once it is complete (this site will not automatically save your application). 

All grant applications must include a detailed summary of your grant request, as well as a detailed budget for the program/project for which you are applying, including all other funding sources. You will be required to outline and quantitatively verify what percentage of service you are providing by county if you are applying for funds for more than one county. We encourage you to apply only for what you need. Partial grants are no longer extended.

This allocations grant becomes more competitive each year, due to the increased need in our region. Therefore, your application will be scored based on the priorities set forth and listed below:

-Any qualifying nonprofit who was not awarded a Fall, 2025 allocations grant.

-Any qualifying nonprofit whose government funding (Federal, State, or Local) is less than 70% of the organization's annual budget.

-Preference will be given for service to the marginalized and/or those organizations able to show the greatest need.

-Preference may be given to any innovative program/project that focuses on building strong community and strengthening understanding and belonging within our region.

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Any organization who applied for and secured an allocations grant for programming cannot be considered for programming two times in one year. 

ANY ORGANIZATION APPLYING FOR FUNDING FROM UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOR THE FIRST TIME MUST ALSO INCLUDE 501(c)(3) DOCUMENTATION AND A RECENT FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

GRANT DEADLINE IS NOON, FRIDAY, MARCH, 20, 2026.

Awards will be announced in early April, 2026.

Please contact our executive director (jeannie@wcunitedway.org) with any questions you may have regarding your application.