United Way has evolved from its roots as a fundraising organization to a critical community convener by mobilizing the community to identify underlying conditions while bringing people and organizations together to create collective impact. United Way continually seeks to facilitate a shared community vision and coordinate action across a diverse coalition which produces measured results by sustained efforts.
This grant cycle is for our fiscal year July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. Please read carefully below as United Way has made changes to the current grant program.
United Way of Onslow County will hold a Grant Informational Session on January 27th at 9AM. You can register here: 2026 Grant Information Session
Grant Applications Open February 2nd, 2026.
We have broken down our grants into two separate applications. This is to focus our monies on the most crucial needs of our community for the upcoming year while also customizing the application for the specific award amounts.
Our Focused Community Investment Grant allows applicants to apply for $10,000.00 - $25,000.00 but must meet the following three focus areas.
Affordable Housing: Stable housing is the foundation of a stable life. Our current grant cycle focuses on ending generational poverty through housing security. We are investing in agencies that meet people exactly where they are - whether that is providing emergency housing for those currently homeless, transitional programs that offer a path forward, or affordable housing and homeownership opportunities that build lasting wealth. We believe in serving all those in need by creating a clear, supported pathway from crisis to the front door of a home they own.
Food and Nutrition: United Way of Onslow County recognizes that hunger is both a crisis of today and a barrier to tomorrow. We are prioritizing funding for programs that address the full spectrum of nutritional security. This includes emergency food assistance for families in immediate crisis, sustainable nutrition programs that provide consistent access to fresh, whole foods, and educational initiatives that empower residents with the cooking and budgeting skills needed for long-term health.
Education: Education is the most powerful tool we have to change the future. We seek to fund programs that eliminate barriers to learning at every stage of development by creating a seamless pipeline of opportunity from early childhood to career entry. We are looking for partners who provide comprehensive educational support - from teaching a child to read, to helping a young adult earn a trade certification or college degree. We believe that by providing wraparound educational services today, we are fostering the homeowners and leaders of tomorrow.
The Community Investment Support Grant allows applicants to apply for $2,501.00 - $7,500.00. Grant funding is available to providers of health and human services that fall within three focus impact areas: Health, Education, and Financial Stability.
As always, funding remains extremely competitive, and applicants are encouraged to make requests for critical program service needs. Programs awarded a one-year community investment grant will receive awards over a ten-month funding period beginning mid-September through mid-June.
Annual investment program grants are based on program effectiveness, organizational capacity, collaboration, and the ability to meet United Way’s recommendations and reporting requirements. Ultimately, dollars available for investment grants are determined by contributions that donors make to the general, undesignated fund. Contributions designated for a specific agency will continue to be honored.
As an additional avenue for United Way of Onslow County to expand our ability to further assist our community, we are now accepting SPONSORSHIP REQUESTS each fiscal year up to $2,500.00. You may apply at any time as the sponsorship request form will remain open. This is a great opportunity for new organizations that are not yet eligible to apply for the Community Investment Grants or for organizations that only seek a limited amount of funding for specific programs, initiatives, or events. We encourage all non-profits, Civic, and Faith-based organizations to apply; however, each organization is allowed to apply only once per fiscal year. Funding is limited to the monies available. You can click the link above to view the request or by going through our main page.
View our Instructions Video
(the video is to assist with how to log in, please note that the form may look differently as the application process has changed)
Instructions
All applicants are required to have or create an account to complete and submit your application. Keep your user name and password handy so that you can "save a draft" and return to complete your submission. Also, this username and password will continue to be used for agency reporting and future applications.
- LOGIN HERE (If you already have a user name and password)
- CREATE AN ACCOUNT (New users only - Recommend using your Agency Name as your User Name - watch for an email to set your password, check spam)
- RESET YOUR PASSWORD (if your email has been used previously, you can reset your password)
- LOGOUT (Be sure to log out once you have saved your draft or submitted your application)
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Do not leave any blanks; enter N/A if not applicable.
Be sure to click "SAVE DRAFT" frequently, you will be able to return and work on the application as time permits. Be sure to click "SUBMIT" when completed, you will not be able to access completed submission, but you will be sent a copy of your submission.
Applications are due by Friday, March 13th by 5 pm. Any applications submitted after this date and time will not be considered.