March 2026
When I think about what it means to truly drive meaningful progress in our community, I keep coming back to one word: stability. Not just surviving the month, but having the breathing room to dream, plan, and build something lasting. That's the kind of future we're working toward and it's why we are making $100,000 available through the 2026 Financial Empowerment Major Grant.
The data we see every day tells a story that too many of our neighbors are living: nearly half of households in Story County are spending 30% or more of their income on rent; one in three households worry about making their next mortgage or rent payment; one in four households don't have $400 set aside for an emergency. These aren't abstract statistics — these are our coworkers, our neighbors, the children sitting next to our kids at school. Our goal is clear: equip 1,000 households annually with the tools they need for long-term financial security.
This grant is our invitation to the community to reimagine what financial empowerment really looks like and think boldly about how we help our neighbors achieve long-term financial stability. Whether it’s piloting something brand new, scaling something that's working, or connecting organizations in ways they haven't tried before, this grant is designed to fuel innovative solutions that will transform lives in Story County.
What excites me most is what I know is possible in this community when we resource the right people with the right ideas. This grant is about opening doors, removing barriers, and betting on the ingenuity of the organizations and leaders already doing this work on the ground. I can't wait to see what comes next.
If your organization is ready to take on that challenge, I encourage you to review the guidelines and submit your Letter of Intent by Monday, March 23 at 12:00 P.M. Full details are available at uwstory.org/2026-major-grant.