Non-profit agencies and programs serving United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s service area will soon apply for funds through UWNEMN’s annual fund distribution process – the result of each year’s local fundraising drives.
Applications will open to agencies that received funding from UWNEMN last year on November 13.
Agencies that did not receive funding from UWNEMN last year will be asked to submit a Letter of Intent to apply for funding between November 1 and November 15. To qualify, agencies must serve individuals who live or work in Northern St. Louis County, Eastern Itasca County, Koochiching County, and/or in Lake of the Woods County, and funds must be used to address targeted issues within UWNEMN’s focus areas: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Communities, Community Resiliency, and Financial Security.
UWNEMN’s annual fund distribution process serves as an important reminder each year that donations to UWNEMN support a host of local agencies in addition to UWNEMN programs like Buddy Backpacks and United for Veterans as well as its local operation of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, according to UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay.
“One organization alone can’t address all the needs in our region, which is why we are proud to reinvest local donor dollars in local nonprofits while operating direct service programs ourselves,” she said. “United is the way we help people and communities thrive.”
UWNEMN’s Board of Directors will review letters of intent November 16, and new agencies moving on in the funding process will be notified shortly thereafter. Full applications are due January 7, and quarterly funding distributions will begin in April 2027.
This annual fund distribution is supported primarily through workplace giving campaigns which are currently taking place. Donors are invited to serve on Fund Distribution panels (in February on the Iron Range and March in Koochiching County) to review funding applications, interview applicants, and help determine where their donations are applied.
“Local people shape our organization’s impact and reach every step of the way,” said UWNEMN Resource Development & Events Director. “Our team – and our partners – are so appreciative of the support our communities show us each year.”
Arrange a workplace campaign to support UWNEMN's Fund Distribution and programming