United Way of Southwest Minnesota announced that the 2021 community impact grants are now open and must address at least one of UWSWMN’s priority areas. Programs must be delivered in our service area which includes Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and portions of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles and Redwood counties. To see the detailed list of communities and zip codes covered by UWSWMN, determine eligibility and access the online grant platform; please visit www.unitedwayswmn.org (Our Impact tab-Community Impact Grants section).

The grant application deadline is Thursday, April 1 at 4 p.m. All applications must be submitted online and extensions will not be granted. Applications that do not align, are late and/or incomplete will not be considered for UWSWMN funding. All grant applications will be reviewed by a team of trained community volunteers compromised of board members who will make recommendations on funding to the UWSWMN board of directors. Grant funding comes from donations given to UWSWMN during its recent fundraising campaign.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota will hold free grant workshops designed for applicants to learn more about the UWSWMN grant process and helpful tips in grant writing. Applicants must attend a grant workshop in order to apply. Workshops will be held virtually via Zoom on the following dates/times: Tuesday, March 2nd from 9:30-10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, March 10, 1:30-3 p.m. (directed at new applicants); Thursday, March 18 3- 4 p.m. RSVPs are required for planning purposes to unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org or by calling 507-929-2273.