Investing in YOU
We provide grants to local nonprofits that are dedicated to serving Story County in our focus areas of health, education, and financial security. These grants aim to empower organizations that are making a difference in our community, helping them to enhance their programs and reach more individuals in need.
Annual Grant Opportunities
Community Impact Grants
These grants support unanticipated, emerging, or other distinct under-funded needs that further the mission of UWSC. Priority will be given to those programs that reach underserved populations and/or are focused on United Way of Story County 2025-2030 Community Impact Goals. Any non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 designation serving Story County is eligible to apply. Grants are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. More information about the 2025 Community Impacts grant cycle will be posted in October 2025.
- Community Impact Grant Application Form - Coming Soon
Golf Fore Kids Grants
These grants, up to $3,000, are funded by our annual Golf Fore Kids event, held each summer. They are designed to support human services programs and initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of children in Story County, going beyond existing funding opportunities.
We are now accepting eligibility applications for the 2025 Golf Fore Kids grants. For more information and to apply, visit this page.
ASSET Funding
The bulk of United Way’s annual funding for health and human service programs gets distributed through this process, with applications due at the end of September for the following fiscal year. To learn more, please visit the Story County ASSET (Analysis of Social Services Team) webpage.
LIVE UNITED Food Drive
Every spring, UWSC holds a food drive and raises dollars specifically to support food pantries and food distribution programs in Story County. The opportunity to receive resources is made to participants in the Story County Food Pantry Collaboration convened by United Way. If you are interested in joining this group, please email aselzer@uwstory.org.
Recent Grant Awards
Community Impact Grants
- Iowa State University & United Way of Story County -$850
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training
- YSS - $960
- Language translation device
- Huxley Public Library - $2,500
- Expand project space
- Prairie Flower Children's Center - $2,970
- Nature playscape
- ChildServe - $5,000
- Kitchen improvements
- The Salvation Army of Ames & Story County - $7,500
- Unhoused Community Members Initiative - Basic Needs and Employment Support
Golf Fore Kids Grants
- Team Neutrino (4-H) FLL Blastoff! Summer Camp - $650
- Program scholarships
- Ames Public Library Friends Foundation - $1,000
- After-School Deposit Collection
- Blast Back to School - $1,500
- Support to cover school supplies and backpacks for area youth
- The Salvation Army Angel Tree - $3,000
- Holiday gifts
- Nevada Community Cupboard - $3,000
- Holiday food distribution
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Story County - $3,000
- Meals for out-of-school programs
- ChildServe - $3,000
- Inclusive and adaptive equipment
- Raising Readers in Story County - $5,000
- Parent education program
- MICA - $3,500
- Child and adult food program
Community Impact Grants
- Friendship Ark -$2,500
- Walk-In Tub
- Primary Health Care - $3,000
- Farm to Clinic
- Colo Community Food Pantry - $500
- Kitchen Equipment/Meal Prep
Golf Fore Kids Grants
- Nevada Community School District -$2,500
- It Takes a Village: 2024-25 Nevada Community Series
- Colo Public Library - $2,800
- Royal Readers Program
- Campfire Heart of Iowa - $2,000
- Camp Canwita
Community Impact Grants
- Story County Extension & Outreach - $2,000
- Small Talk Program
- Maxwell Area Renewal Committee - $2,000
- Inclusive Swing
- Mainstream Living - $2,000
- Home & Community Based Services
- City of Collins - $4,700
- Wellness Center
Golf Fore Kids Grants
- School Food Pantries - $3,000
- Five Local Pantries
- Threshold Learning Center - $1,800
- TLC Kids Club
- Nevada Community Cupboard - $3,000
- Holiday Food Distribution
- Martha's House of Hope - $1,500
- Healthy Moms and Babies
- Iowa 4H - $300
- First Team Neutrino
- Campfire Heart of Iowa - $2,000
- Camp Canwita
- Blast Back to School - $1,000
- School Supplies