Eligibility Criteria For Funding

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to apply:

• The agency must provide proof of exemption from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

• Agency must have been in continuous operation for a minimum of two years with demonstrated success prior to the date of application.

• The agency must provide services and programs to residents of Galveston County Mainland that respond to demonstrated human care needs, a publicly identified office within Galveston County Mainland that is open with a staff member or volunteer available at least 20 hours a week during normal working hours.

• The agency must file a Form 990 with the IRS for the most recent fiscal year, as required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations.​

• The agency must operate with management, general, and fundraising costs below 25%.

• The agency must be governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors with representatives from Galveston County Mainland.

• If the agency is part of a regional or national organization, it must have at a minimum, a local advisory committee.

  • ​The local committee must provide United Way with their specific roles and responsibilities as it relates to the agency and the rest of the organization.

  • The local advisory committee must reflect the local community as it relates to the regional operations' areas. The agency must be able to demonstrate how local volunteers influence the use of local United Way dollars within the community.

  • The local advisory committee must identify how monies being provided by United Way Galveston County Mainland will be spent in Galveston County Mainland.

• ​The agency must utilize the resources of volunteers in the support of effective, meaningful, and safe services and to build community capacity, where appropriate.

• The agency must be able to demonstrate that it has the support of the community and has knowledge of relevant issues and needs in Galveston County Mainland.

• The agency must abide by United Way Galveston County Mainland policies, including Fundraising Policy, which restricts fundraising activities.

• All financial statements must be prepared on an accrual basis according to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants(AICPA) for non-profit organizations. Financial statement requirements are based on the agency total revenues as follows:

  • Agency/Organization Revenue of $500,000 and above must submit:

    • ​Board-approved independent Financial Audit (not more than 18 months old) by a certified public accounting firm or individual Certified Public Accountant.

      • An independent audit is an examination of the financial records, accounts, business transactions, accounting practices, and internal controls of a charitable nonprofit by an "independent" auditor. "Independent" refers to the fact that the auditor/CPA is not an employee of the nonprofits but instead is retained through a contract for services, and hence is "independent." 

    • Most recent Form 990 (not more than 18 months old).

  • ​Agency/Organization Revenue Less than $500,000 must submit: 

    • ​A Management Letter or Financial Review by a certified public accounting firm or individual CPA may be submitted in lieu of an independent Financial Audit.

    • Most recent Form 990 (not more than 18 months old)

• The agency must carry general/commercial and board liability insurance. The agency is required to submit proof of insurance with their annual Funding Request.

Access to the application portal is for registered users only. 

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