Q: What types of projects does the United Fund support?

A: United Way funds single, short-term projects that align with our impact areas (Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity) and accomplish one or more of the following:

• Respond to current Anchorage needs.
• Pilot or rapid-cycle test innovative solutions.
• Further cross-agency collaborations.
• Expand or enhance ongoing programs.

Q: Am I eligible to apply for a United Fund grant?

A: If you represent a 501c(3) nonprofit registered in the State of Alaska and classified as a public charity (not a private foundation), then you may be eligible to apply when the following conditions are true:

• Your nonprofit has an Alaska business license in good standing.
• Your nonprofit serves people who live in Anchorage.
• Your nonprofit has a completed audit if it has a budget over $750,000.

Q: What is the timeline for applications?

A: For the first funding cycle, applications are being accepted from Nov. 17, 2025, until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 9, 2026. Reviews will be completed by Feb. 6, 2026, with awards announced on Feb. 23, 2026. A second funding cycle will run from April 6 through May 8, 2026, with reviews concluding on May 29, 2026. Other United Fund funding cycles will be announced later.

Q: How much funding may I request from the United Fund?

A: You can request up to $15,000 for a single, short-term project.

Q: The United Fund grant announcement and application refer several times to “short-term projects,” but they do not state an expenditure deadline. By when should I expect to use all funds if I am named a recipient of a United Fund grant?

A: We have not set a concrete deadline for grant fund expenditures to maximize flexibility. However, we recommend that you define a timeline in the project description of your application and include a deadline for the use of grant funds in accordance with your timeline.

Q: Where can I get more information or ask questions?

A: For questions about the United Fund or its grants, application process, review, and requirements please email grants@ak.org. For questions about volunteering as a United Fund grant reviewer, please also email grants@ak.org.

Q: May I submit more than one application in an application period?

A: Yes, you can submit more one than one application if you have more than one single, short-term project. You must submit separate applications for each single, short-term project.

Q: Will the answers that I provide have character limits?

A: Yes, most of the questions you will be asked to answer will have character-count limits. In most cases, we have allowed for high character counts. This allows you the most flexibility to answer the questions. It is not intended to set expecations that you fill all the space provided.

Q: Can I edit the answers in my application?

A: Yes, you can edit your answers as many times as you'd like before you submit your application. Once you have submitted your application, you are unable to edit your answers.

Q: Can I save my answers and return at a later time to complete my application?

A: Yes, you can save and return to your application.

Q: How will I know if my application is successful?

A: You will be notified of your application status via emails from the grant portal. The first one will confirm that your application has been received. Successful recipients will receive a memorandum of understanding between Feb. 9 and Feb. 20 (for the first cycle). United Fund grant recipients will be publicly announced on Feb. 23, 2026.

Q: How are applications reviewed?

A: Applications go through a two-step review process. First, a financial and operational review determines the eligibility of the applying 501c(3) nonprofit. Second, if eligible, the application is reviewed by at least one United Way staff member and at least one trained volunteer, using evaluation criteria that has a point-based rubric. The reviewers’ scores are averaged. Our Community Impact team must approve all awards.

Q: What is the evaluation criteria?

A: The evaluation criteria have six factors that measure applications, assigning each with a point value. They include:

• Project Description
• Goals and Measures of Success 
• Alignment with United Way Impact Areas
• Affected Populations
• Community Engagement
• Sustainability

Q: Are there restrictions on the use of funds from a United Fund grant?

A: Yes, we have some restrictions. We do not generally intend our United Fund grants to be used for capital expenses or purchases of large durable goods, e.g., vehicles. You should outline your project’s costs in your application and spend your grant funding accordingly.

Q: What are my requirements if my project is funded?

A: 501c(3) nonprofits that United Way supports with our United Fund must agree to:

• Publicly acknowledge United Way's grant award using guidelines that United Way provides to you.
• Participate in United Way's Workplace Campaign through fundraising, volunteerism, or other mutually agreeable means.
• Complete a mid-project report or participate in a virtual meeting with United Way to review progress toward project goals.
• Submit a final summary report to United Way, including measures of success, impact stories, photos (if applicable), and lessons learned.
• Provide feedback on United Way's grantmaking process.
• Be listed in the Alaska 211 database, if applicable.