Every year volunteers help GGUW’s Board of Directors wisely invest community funds, the resources raised from the annual campaign through an open competitive community-based process. Community Investment/Impact is an effective grant process for allocating dollars into local programs and initiatives that address Education, Health and Income, the building blocks for opportunity and improving lives.

Volunteers act as the voice of donors, the community, and work together with a focus on "community impact," to improve the lives of people who live here and create lasting change in community conditions.  Volunteer input is important and helps guide GGUW’s Board of Directors in determining what organizations and programs receive funding.

Distribution of Community Impact Funds is a decision made by the Board of Directors, the important evaluation process helps determine an organization’s and/or program’s strength, capacity, effectiveness and sustainability.  Other volunteers, CPAs and persons familiar with nonprofit financial statements and IRS 990 forms, evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the program(s), whether they meet eligibility criteria, have good financial accountability and demonstrate financial need.

"It is a rigorous application process and those that receive funding demonstrate they have solid governance, effective leadership, and ability to measure the impact of their work," said Danica Jamison, Greater Gallatin United Way President and CEO. "The community investment volunteers along with United Way Board of Directors strategically invest funds in programs that have the most impact in our community.”

To volunteer to help determine where to invest donor’s dollars into our community, contact admin@greatergallatinunitedway.org or 406.587.2194.  Volunteers review grants and/or attend presentations on the evenings of April 1 and/or 7.

To apply for funding, please visit http://www.greatergallatinunitedway.org/2015_CI_Grants.