United is the Way. Funding Stability, Fueling change.

In 2025, thousands of families gained access to food, housing, and healthcare because United Way NSV invested $535,000 in Community Impact Grants, endowed funds, and supplemental awards. These investments improve lives, strengthen nonprofits, and expand stability across our region.

Our Priorities: Impact for People

We fund programs and partnerships that create lasting change:

• Education → Children succeed in school and beyond.

• Financial stability → Families avoid eviction, debt, and crisis.

• Health access → Neighbors receive care regardless of income or ZIP code.

• Community resilience → Families gain stability through food, housing, and other basic needs support.

• Collaboration → Shared solutions emerge that no one sector could achieve alone.

United is the Way Community Giving Builds Stronger Futures.

Every dollar fuels trusted nonprofits, collaborative solutions, and volunteer energy — multiplying impact far beyond a single program.

• 35% invested in Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, and multi-regional nonprofits → 3,800 households served

• 25% invested in Shenandoah County → 2,700 households served

• 25% invested in Page County → 2,800 households served

• 15% invested in Warren County → 1,700 households served

 Impact: Together, these investments reached 11,000+ households and 27,628 individuals — nearly one in ten people in our region.

United is the way. Stability is the goal.

Your gift fuels food, shelter, education, health, financial stability, and resilience across Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Warren, and Page counties.

Instability has a cost for all of us. Your gift expands stability across our region. 

Our Grantmaking Values

At United Way NSV, every dollar entrusted to us is invested with care, transparency, and accountability. We ensure that community resources go where they will have the greatest impact by following a rigorous grantmaking process grounded in our values.

• Community-Led Review
  More than 40 local volunteers, representing diverse backgrounds and expertise, dedicate over 600 hours annually to reviewing proposals, outcomes, and budgets. This ensures that funding decisions are shaped by the very community they serve. These volunteers make allocation recommendations that go to our Board of Directors for approval.

• Fair and Objective Scoring
  Each application is assessed using a standardized rubric that measures program strength, alignment with community needs, and ability to deliver measurable outcomes. This objective process levels the playing field for nonprofits of all sizes.

• Inclusion and Access
  We prioritize investments that remove barriers and close gaps, ensuring funding reaches families and communities most affected by instability.

• Balancing Today’s Needs and Tomorrow’s Solutions
  Funding decisions weigh urgent basic needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, alongside long-term strategies that build education, financial stability, and resilience.

• Regional Impact
  We evaluate not only the strength of individual applications but also how the entire portfolio of funded programs works together to meet needs across Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Warren, and Page counties.

The result: funding decisions that are fair, community-driven, and designed to create measurable, lasting impact.

Lifting Up 2025 Awardees 

This July, United Way NSV awarded 2025 Community Impact Grants to organizations across our region. Before going public, we worked closely with each awardee to ensure MOUs were signed and first disbursements were received — setting the stage for a strong start.

Now, we are proud to share that awardees will be formally announced during Day of Caring on September 19, 2025. This public celebration not only lifts up your work, but also highlights the generosity of thousands of donors who make these investments possible.

Information for Current Grant Recipients

1. Use of Funds

Funds must be used only for the purposes described in your approved 2025 grant proposal. Any changes to program scope or expenditures require prior written approval from United Way NSV.

2. Grant Period

The grant period runs July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.

3. Disbursement Schedule

• Grants under $5,000 – Paid in full on or about July 1, 2025

• $5,000–$10,000 – Two equal payments (July 1 and January 15)

• Over $10,000 – Four quarterly payments (July 1, October 1, January 15, April 1)

4. Reporting Requirements

Mid-Year Report (due December 31, 2025):

• Program summary and impact to date

• Number served, demographics, and key outcomes

• At least one beneficiary testimonial

• Financial summary (awarded, spent, remaining funds)

• Supporting documentation (receipts, invoices, etc.)

• Expense spreadsheet

• Confirmation that at least 40% of funds have been spent or committed

Final Report (required if reapplying for 2026 funding):

• Follows the same format as the mid-year report

• Must confirm 90% of funds expended or allocated by May 15, 2026

• Submitted with the 2026 application

5. Participation & Recognition

• Attend at least two HUB meetings during the grant year

• Participation in Day of Caring and workplace giving campaigns is encouraged

• Acknowledge UWNSV in all relevant promotional or public materials

6. Recordkeeping & Review

Grantees must maintain all relevant financial and program records and provide them to UWNSV upon request.

2024

In March 2024, community volunteers from Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, and Warren Counties reviewed 45 applications and recommended funding priorities for programs in education, healthcare, and financial stability. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, 36 agencies received $400,000 in United Way funding. Agencies submit quarterly outcome reports to track results and impact. Nearly $40,000 in donor designations was distributed separately. 

2023

United Way NSV invested $525,000 in Community Impact Grants supporting 46 agencies. Twenty-six agencies in the northern region (Winchester, Frederick, Clarke) received $312,800, and 20 agencies in the southern region (Shenandoah, Page, Warren) received $212,200. Almost $40,000 in donor designations was distributed separately.

2022

United Way NSV awarded $540,000 to 36 programs across education, financial stability, and health. Northern region agencies received $379,050; southern region agencies received $160,950. Donor designations added nearly $150,000 in support.

2021

United Way NSV invested $505,047 in 36 programs, a 10% increase from the prior year. Northern region agencies received $346,422; southern region agencies received $158,625. Donor designations contributed nearly $174,000 in support. 

2020

United Way NSV supported 34 programs across the Valley, with requests totaling more than $780,000. Over 50 volunteers participated in the review process, ensuring funds focused on priority needs. More than $100,000 in donor designations was distributed separately.

Through the 2022-2023 Impact Grant Program, United Way will invest $540,000 in Impact Grants in thirty-six education, financial stability and health programs throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley (covering Winchester City, Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah and Page Counties). This amount totals $35,000 more than what was distributed to agencies last year, and is nearly a $100,000 increase over what was distributed to nonprofits in 2020. 

Twenty-seven agencies based in Winchester City, Frederick and Clarke Counties will receive $379,050 in grant funding, while nine agencies based in the Shenandoah and Page Counties will receive $160,950.

In addition, United Way NSV will distribute $147,475 in donor designated funds to various agencies across the service area. Agency designations are distributed separately from the grant program.

Funding for the Impact Grant program is specifically earmarked by donors, and is only a portion of the total money raised and given out by United Way NSV. 

The Fund Distribution Committee, which is made up of volunteers from area businesses, schools and community representatives focused on high need areas as identified in the United Way Needs Assessment and Virginia ALICE® Report in the areas of education, financial stability and health. Outcome reports will be submitted to United Way quarterly to measure the success of these program investments.

Click here to see the full list of Impact Grant recipients! 

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (NSV) reaffirmed its commitment to lift families and individuals to financial stability and create a healthier community when its board of directors approved funding recommendations made by community volunteers for the 2021-2022 Community Impact Grant Program.

Through the Impact Grant Program, United Way will invest $505,047 in 36 education, financial stability and health programs throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley (Winchester City, Frederick County, Clarke County, Shenandoah County and Page County). This amount is a 10% increase over what was distributed to nonprofits last year.

Twenty-five agencies based in the northern part of our region will receive $346,422 in grant funding, while 11 agencies based in the southern counties will receive $158,625.

In addition to the impact grants funds, United Way NSV will distribute $173,132 in donor designated funds to various agencies, with these funds distributed separately from the grant program. Funding for the Impact Grant program is specifically earmarked by donors, and is only a portion of the total money raised and given out by United Way NSV.
United Way NSV received $735,772 in requests from 39 organizations. The review process involved more than 60 community volunteers on nine panels, who reviewed funding applications, participated in online and in-person site visits, and panel presentations.

The Fund Distribution Committee, which is made up of volunteers from area businesses, schools and community representatives focused on high need areas as identified in the United Way Needs Assessment and Virginia ALICE® Report in the areas of education, financial stability and health. Outcome reports will be submitted to United Way quarterly to measure the success of these program investments.

Click here to see the full list

2020 Impact Grants:

Through the Impact Grant Program, United Way will invest in 34 education, financial stability and health programs throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley (Winchester City, Frederick County, Clarke County, Shenandoah County and Page County). In addition to the impact grants funds, United Way NSV will distribute more than $100,000 in donor designated funds to various agencies, with these funds distributed separately from the grant program. Funding for the Impact Grant program is specifically earmarked by donors, and is only a portion of the total money raised and given out by United Way NSV. 

$780,408.80 was requested for program grants from 36 organizations in Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Page, and Shenandoah Counties. The review process involved 53 diverse community volunteers on nine panels, who reviewed funding applications, participated in online panel presentations via Zoom and recommended grant funding to focus on priority human care needs. Volunteers read proposals, analyzed financial statements, and deliberated for about a dozen hours before coming to a group consensus. 

The Fund Distribution Committee, which is made up of volunteers from area businesses, schools and community representatives focused on high need areas as identified in the United Way Needs Assessment and Virginia ALICE® Report in the areas of education, financial stability and health. 

• To see the full press release click here. 
• Check out the agencies that received 2020 Impact Grants.
• Did you receive an Impact Grant? Fill out your reports here.

THIS IS UNDER REVIEW FOR FUTURE IMPACT GRANTS 

Grant requests are reviewed by a panel of United Way volunteers (typically 5-6 people including one high school student).

A scoring rubric will be provided to you in training and will break down how each review criteria is weighted. 

The following criteria will be used in reviewing Impact Grant requests:

1. Application including all accountability documents (see "Agency Eligibility" Tab) - Sample Application
2. Site Visit - These one-hour site visits allow Fund Distribution Volunteers to see the programs in action and ask questions about the agency. 
3. Panel Presentation - See more information here. 
4. Alignment with United Way NSV priority needs area based on the 2020 Community Needs Assessment and 2020 ALICE Report - to review these documents click here.
5. Collaboration with other organizations
6. Program Impact
7. Program Outcomes - Review the Program Outcome Logic Model here. 
8. Budget – Use of funds (specific to the program)

For a full description on the Grant Process, please see our Guidebook in the Documents section. 

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program was created in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations within the United States, both private and governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance. The program is governed by a national board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The program's objectives are to:

1. Allocate funds to the neediest areas. 
2. Ensure fast response. 
3. Foster public/private sector cooperation. 
4. Ensure local decision making. 
5. Maintain minimal, but accountable, reporting.

How is the Program Governed Locally?

The program is a model of public-private cooperation. Each civil jurisdiction (a county or city) funded by the program must constitute a local board. The board must be composed of representatives of the same organizations as those on the National Board, with a local government official replacing the FEMA representative. The Local Board members elect their chair. Local boards may also have additional members, and, since 1993, local boards have been required to include a homeless or formerly homeless person as a member. If a jurisdiction is located within or encompasses a federally recognized Indian reservation, a Native American representative must be invited to serve on the local board.

The National Board awards funds to jurisdictions based upon a formula; in addition, a small portion of the overall award is allocated by formula to state set-aside committees, who then allocate funds to jurisdictions based upon the criteria they feel is most appropriate.

Once an award is made by either the National Board or a state set-aside committee, local boards decide which agencies are to receive funds, and then those agencies are paid directly by the National Board. Within a jurisdiction, no more than 2% of the entire award may be used for administrative costs by the local board and agencies combined.

Current Awards:

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program has announced an award to the City of Winchester of $9,633 for Phase 41 to be used by local agencies to assist households living in the City of Winchester.  Applications are due by Thursday, April 11, 2024.  A copy of the application can be downloaded here and should be emailed to Kchildress@unitedwaynsv.org along with all required documentation.

Previous Awards:

Phase 40 Award City of Winchester

Winchester City was awarded $8,341 for Phase 40.  On March 10, 2023, the local board voted to provide the following funding amounts to local agencies:

• $4,500 – Faithworks for Motel/Housing Assistance
   
• $2,000 – Winchester Rescue Mission for Served Meals
   
• $1,841 – WATTS for Mass Shelter Operations

Previous Awards:

Phase 39 & APRAR Awards in Winchester City:

Winchester City was awarded $29,525 for Phase APRA-R.  On April 27, 2022, the local board voted to provide the following funding amounts to local agencies:

• $9,645 – Salvation Army for Mass Shelter and/or Served Meals
• $9,645 – Winchester Rescue Mission for Mass Shelter and/or Served Meals
• $9,645 – WATTS for Mass Shelter and/or Served Meals
• $590 - United Way NSV for administrative expenses

The Winchester City jurisdiction was also awarded $9,013 for Phase 39.

• $8,833 – Faithworks for Rent/Mortgage assistance
• $180 - United Way NSV for administrative expenses

Phase 38 Award Shenandoah County:

• $50,277 - Faithworks for rent/mortgage assistance ($24,000), motel vouchers ($17,500), and food ($8,777).

Phase 38 Award Clarke County:

• $6,000 - FISH of Clarke County for food vouchers
• $5,995 - Faithworks for rent/mortgage assistance. 

United Way NSV will receive $1,026 in administrative allowance (2%) in Shenandoah County and $245 in Clarke County. 

December 2020 - The Winchester jurisdiction has been selected to receive an award of $9,468 under Phase 38 of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Congress has appropriated $125,000,000 to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. The National Board has also included a reallocation of $15 million in the Phase 38 awards. The total available for allocation in Phase 38 is $140 million. The jurisdiction's award is based upon the jurisdiction's total number of unemployed as compared to the total number of unemployed in all qualifying jurisdictions.

Phase 38 Award Winchester City:

• $9,468 - Faithworks for motel vouchers ($4,000) and rent/mortgage assistance ($5,468)
• $5,000 - Blue Ridge Housing Network for rent and utility assistance
• $3,380 - The Laurel Center for shelter and meals
• $11,947 – Faithworks for motel vouchers ($2,220), utility assistance ($3,247), rent/mortgage assistance ($6,500)
• $7,784 was awarded to Faithworks to provide rental assistance.
• $7,621 was awarded to Faithworks to provide rental assistance. 
• $4,112 was awarded to Faithworks
• $2,500 was awarded to The Laurel Center
• $4,000 was awarded to Faithworks for rent/mortgage assistance.
• $3,332 was awarded to Highland Food Pantry for utility assistance.

May 2020 - The Winchester jurisdiction has been selected to receive an award of $8,380 under Phase 37 and $11,947 under Phase CARES of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Congress has appropriated $120 million under Phase 37 and $200 million under Phase CARES to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. Our jurisdiction's award is based upon total number of unemployed.

Phase 37 Awards:

• Phase CARES Award:

  July 2019 - The Winchester jurisdiction has been selected to receive an award of $7,784 under Phase 36 of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Congress has appropriated $120 million to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. Our jurisdiction's award is based upon total number of unemployed.

  July 2018- The Winchester jurisdiction has been selected to receive an award of $7,621 under Phase 35 of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Congress has appropriated $120 million to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. Our jurisdiction's award is based upon total number of unemployed.

  August 2017 - The Winchester jurisdiction has been selected to receive an award of $6,612.00 under Phase 34 of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Congress has appropriated $120 million to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. Our jurisdiction's award is based upon total number of unemployed. 

  August 2016 - The Winchester jurisdiction has been selected to receive an award of $7,332.00 under Phase 33 of the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Congress has appropriated $120 million to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. Our jurisdiction's award is based upon total number of unemployed.