apply for
funding

Our IMPACT

United Way of Southwest Louisiana has helped people for more than seventy-nine years. Through hurricanes, economic downturns, unforeseen losses and more, Southwest Louisiana has trusted United Way to provide monetary and voluntary assistance in times of need. As a community united, we have done just that. We've created a safety net, but it’s not enough. For our community to move forward we must continue to move people and families to positions of lasting independence.

In order to meet the most critical needs in our community, only funding requests for programs that target the at-risk population will be considered.

What Do We Mean by "Community Impact” and How Will Community Impact Be Used in Funding?

Our mission is to unite Southwest Louisiana to address our human needs. In doing so, we will identify important issues while continuing to fund local organizations that improve community conditions. Creating lasting changes in community conditions is challenging and requires each community to work together to be successful. The Community Impact Business Model includes:

• VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
• United Against Child Hunger
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• WriteStart
• Summer of Service
• Literacy Kits
• 2-1-1
• 833.TXT.TEEN
• Crisis Chat Online
• The Path Home
• SWLA VOAD - Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster

The application process begins with an online Letter of Intent (LOI).

***The 2020-2021 funding cycle begins with Letter of Intent
submitted between November 1, 2019 and 4 pm on December 6, 2019.***

Before applying for funding, please make sure your organization meets the below requirements:

• Does your organization have a 501(C)(3)?
• Is your organization in good standing with the state of Louisiana?
• Do you serve clients in AT LEAST one of the following parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron or Jefferson Davis?
• Does your organization provide services in AT LEAST one of the following: Education, Economic Mobility, Health or Basic Needs?

Defining "At-Risk”

United Way of Southwest Louisiana is dedicated to improving community conditions by targeting and investing resources in at-risk populations. When considering the definition of at-risk, one must first understand that at-risk reflects a chance of or probability; it does not imply certainty. In addition, at-risk is a somewhat generic term, defined in different ways by different agencies and public bodies. Ultimately, United Way SWLA must decide how to define at-risk populations for planning and response; therefore the following factors are considered possible indicators of potential barriers:

Education:

• Economic disadvantage as defined according to the USDA Income Eligibility
• Guidelines for Free and Reduced Lunch
• Mental or physical disability
• Medical condition that substantially limits life activities
• Low parental education levels
• Single parenthood
• Living with someone other than immediate family members
• Grade level retention
• Absenteeism and suspension and/or expulsion

Income:

• Annual income below the poverty level
• Qualify for the earned income tax credit
• Lack of secure employment
• Dependency on public assistance programs
• Homeless
• Lack of appropriate job skills
• Lack of high school diploma or GED
• Adult illiteracy
• Parental deployment out of country

Health:

• Obesity
• Poor nutrition
• Substance abuse
• Lack of awareness of personal health baseline
• Unhealthy BMI (Body Mass Index)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco use
• Mental wellness

By targeting the needs and challenges of the at-risk population, United Way SWLA and its partner agencies can significantly impact our community and help ensure that all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives.