CEDAR VALLEY UNITED WAY INVESTMENT PRIORITIES
Creating Lasting Change in Our Community
Cedar Valley United Way is focused on creating lasting community impact. We fund local programs and work to address the root causes of pressing issues, aiming for long-term, systemic change.
Tackling the Root Cause: Poverty
Community assessments, research, and resident input show that systemic poverty drives many of our community’s challenges. That’s why we’re focusing on understanding poverty—its causes, what sustains it, and how it affects those living with it.
Collaboration for Greater Impact
Strong collaboration among human service agencies is key. Many challenges are interconnected and must be addressed holistically. By working together, we can understand the factors that create poverty and break the cycle.
Our Investment Approach
Organizations can apply for support through three investment categories:
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Strategic Investments – Targeting education, income, and health
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Emergency & Basic Needs Investments
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Social Innovation Investments
Learn more about each investment category below.
FY2026: ALL PROGRAM APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED USING e-CImpact NO LATER THAN 4:00 PM ON FEBRUARY 19, 2026.
The full funding process timeline is located below.
APPLICATION TIMELINE*
Application process opens. Access to the new applications in e-CImpact, our application management system, will open on December 12. Agencies must submit all application materials online through the platform. For currently funded partners, you may access the application from your home page in e-CImpact on this date.
We will offer three in-person informational sessions to review the application process. Sessions will take place on December 12, 16 and 19 in the Philanthropy Room (located on the 3rd floor of the US Bank building at 425 Cedar Street, Waterloo, IA 50701). Each session will cover the same content, so applicants will only need to attend one. A maximum of two representatives per agency may attend, and RSVPs are required.
Application process closes promptly at 4:00 pm. All applications and required materials must be submitted online by 4:00 pm, as late submissions will not be accepted.
Community Impact Teams (CITs) will thoroughly review all submitted funding requests and present their funding recommendations to Cedar Valley United Way's Board of Directors for approval on May 21, 2026. Award notifications and funding agreements will be sent to agencies the week of May 25 - 29, 2026.
Funding begins for FY 27 programming.
Six-month performance reports are due.
* for strategic and emergency and basic needs investments.
MORE INFORMATION
Our investment model maintains that our current Strategic Investments target our focus areas of education, health and financial stability. Priority is given to programs that strongly align with Cedar Valley United Way's strategies in these target areas, and programs that can show strong, measurable outcomes and impact. Strategic investments are intended for programs that have proven results in the community.
We further recognize that, while the community works to address the root causes of poverty, there are individuals and families in the Cedar Valley who need our support right now. An Emergency and Basic Needs funding category is available for programs that focus on these emergency and short-term outputs rather than outcomes, to provide services that assist those that have experienced a temporary setback or who face emergency situations.
Cedar Valley United Way also accommodates for a special allocation of funds reserved for breaking the cycle of systemic poverty through innovative research and community action through our Social Innovation Investments (previously referred to as Community Assessment Response and/or Research and Development Investments). We recognize that to break the cycle, we must also support new and innovative collaborative ventures. There is no deadline for Social Innovation Investment proposals, which may be submitted and reviewed according to the timeline and eligibility requirements here.
To determine which investment category is most appropriate for your program, please review the detailed information and eligibility requirements at the link for each category above. The following guidelines regarding the services being provided may also be helpful:
- Is the program established and effective, and is there an evaluation tool in place to measure client outcomes* that align with Cedar Valley United Way strategies in education, income and health?
The Strategic Investment category is most appropriate, dependent on whether the additional eligibility requirements listed are also met - Is the program a new venture or idea for learning, with the intent to impact the root causes of poverty in the Cedar Valley?
The Social Innovation category is most appropriate, dependent on whether the additional eligibility requirements listed are also met - Is the program established and effective in assisting low-income individuals to overcome immediate basic needs and/or short term crisis situations, and is there an evaluation tool in place to measure outputs**?
The Emergency and Basic Needs category is most appropriate, dependent on whether the additional eligibility requirements listed are also met.
For further guidance on determining the appropriate investment category, or for any further questions, please contact Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez at nilviarr@cvuw.org or (319) 235-6211 ext. 18.
**Outputs are defined as the product of the program, the direct numerical results of the program activities (i.e. number of clients who receive a service, number of meals served, etc.). Outputs are evidence of service delivery.
Outputs are “What we do”.
*Outcomes are defined as the direct, intended, beneficial effects on the target population. Must involve a measurable change in behavior, attitude, condition, knowledge and/or status.
Outcomes are “What difference is there because of what we do”.
RESOURCES FOR CURRENT FUNDED PARTNERS
Current funded partners, download a copy of Cedar Valley United Way's logo to use in your materials. If you need the file in a different format, please contact Samantha Gutknecht.
