ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The following eligibility criteria will continue to be required to receive HoMEUW funding:
- Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, educational institution, or municipality conducting a health and human service program in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, or Washington counties.
- Active board of directors that meets with a quorum at least quarterly
- Stated mission and bylaws.
- Files Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service annually
- Submission of appropriate Financial materials
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- Gross receipts of $500,000 or more = Annual Audit
- Gross receipts of $25,000-$500,000 = Independent Review of Financial Statements from an external accountant OR Audit
- Gross receipts of less than $25,000 = Compilation OR Independent Review OR Audit
- Note, some organizations may not currently have independent reviews or audits. This alone does not disqualify the organization. Our CFO & financial review panels will evaluate the financial materials you provide and request further information as needed. If you have any questions, please email grants@unitedwayem.org or call 941-2800.
- Funding requests cannot exceed 35% of the program budget.
- Funded partners are required to comply with HoMEUW’s agency agreement which includes stipulations on reporting, marketing and supporting the HoMEUW annual campaign etc. (see below for more details)
- The Heart of Maine United Way Board of Directors has previously decided that the following types of programs are not eligible to receive Strategic Investment Grants:
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- emergency disaster relief programs
- adult residential care
- programs that integrate structured religious activity in United Way funded services or condition receipt of United Way funded services on acceptance of, or participation in, inherently religious activities. Inherently religious activities include worship, prayer, or instruction.
All interested applicants will be required to review the eligibility requirements and complete an application for each program for which they are seeking funding.
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT GRANT PARTNERS
- Execute the objectives and program performance measures outlined in the submitted FY 23-25 Strategic Investment Grant application;
- Participate in HoMEUW lead workshops, work groups and annual retreats for funded partner agencies;
- Accept grant funds through EFT;
- Comply with all HoMEUW requirements for reporting program performance measures, progress, and related indicators of success; Six Month and End of Year Reports are due annually in July and January;
- A partner agency that does not submit mandatory information by the submission date will have its funds automatically withheld beginning with the first payment following the deadline of each mandatory item;
- Complete annual updates of agency services for 211 Maine in a timely manner;
- Utilize VolunteerME to promote agency volunteer opportunities;
- Actively participate in HoMEUW’s Opportunity 2028 Initiative (complete surveys, participate in focus groups and forums, share invitations with your network, etc.);
- Work as a partner in the HoMEUW Annual Campaign to generate resources to achieve shared community goals by conducting an agency employee campaign offering payroll deduction; promoting campaign participation to board and volunteers, and assist with campaign related activities such as speaking engagements and site tours; reporting agency campaign results to HoMEUW annually by December 31;
- Partner agencies shall not conduct payroll deduction fundraising campaigns outside their own organization, nor shall they solicit or encourage donor designations of United Way pledge dollars to benefit said agency;
- Keep accurate records of all expenditures and income on an accrual basis in conformance with Standards of Accounting and Financial Reporting for nonprofit Organizations;
- Upon request, provide United Way, a copy of the partner agency’s independent audit/financial statements and/or Internal Revenue Service Form 990;
- Refund United Way’s financial support if the service(s) supported by these funds is terminated or is substantially modified; alternatively, to request permission from United Way to transfer these funds to another program with proof that the service is necessary and appropriate;
- Identify its relationship with United Way in every practical manner, through the display of the United Way insignia on the Participating Organization’s property, offices, stationery, website, social media, publications, etc., and through any procedures that would be mutually beneficial;
- Acknowledge HoMEUW Partner Agency status by
a. displaying a HoMEUW supplied logo that meets current brand standards on locally prepared printed materials, websites, e-newsletters, social media pages, in local offices, etc.;
b. Acknowledging Partner Agency status when appropriate, in press releases, public service announcements, and other contacts with media; - Immediately notify HoMEUW regarding any legal, financial or governance matters and/or program changes which may impact the agency’s ability to operate and/or deliver services, including key staffing changes.
HoMEUW and the Strategic Investment Grant Partner Agency mutually agree to the following policies and best practices:
- Work in partnership with HoMEUW to promote collaboration, minimize unnecessary duplication of services and develop a coordinated, effective and cost-efficient service delivery system based on the priority needs agenda established by the community;
- To maintain a volunteer board which meets at least 4 times per year and includes representation from within the HoMEUW service area;
- To maintain status as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and comply with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding such status, including annual certification of compliance with IRS Form 990 requirements;
- To adopt, implement, and adhere to a policy of non-discrimination in regards to staff, volunteers, board and clients/customers that complies with all State and Federal laws and with the mission and values of HoMEUW;
- To maintain client confidentiality and to safeguard client information. In the event that any information pertaining to any individual is used or disclosed or is alleged to have been used or disclosed by the Agency, its employees, subcontractors or agents, in violation of this agreement, the Agency agrees to indemnify and hold HoMEUW from any and all liability, and agrees to bear all costs for the defense of any legal action incident thereto;
- To establish safeguards and to prohibit its employees, board members, advisors and agents from using their positions for any purposes that are, or give the appearance of being, motivated by a desire for private gain for themselves or others, particularly those with whom they have family, business or other ties. The Agency agrees to disclose in writing to HoMEUW any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest described above, immediately upon discovery.
