UWGK’s Community Investment Grants are designed to seed, scale, and/or support effective organizations delivering programs and initiatives working towards UWGK’s strategic impact priorities. These two-year operational grants award funds to organizations delivering quality programs and results contributing to UWGK’s intended outcomes in our Impact Pillars. Grants are awarded through an open application process and guided by community need, organizational mission alignment, and long-term impact.
Use the links below to begin the 2026-2028 grant cycle application. Application timelines vary by region. Please review the timelines by county before beginning your application.
Knox County Notice of Funding Opportunity [Start Here]
Knox County Volunteer Interest Form [Start Here]
1st Stage Office Hours:
Multi-County Notice of Funding Opportunity [Start Here]
Multi-County Volunteer Interest Form [Start Here]
In-Person Office Hours:
Virtual Office Hours:
Create a login and find the grant application through our grant portal.
If your organization has an existing profile but has experienced staffing changes, please email nonprofitsupport@unitedwayknox.org to update your user information.
Organizations interested in our funding opportunities must have their 501c3 designation (or have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor), provide services within our five-county footprint, and align with our Impact Pillars of Healthy Communities, Economic Mobility, and/or Early Care & Education. Community Investments is an open, competitive process. Applying for funding does not guarantee an award.
Our service areas include Knox, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, and Union Counties.
Award notifications will be sent to organizations by August 2026. The award agreement period and first disbursement of funds will occur in September 2026.
Applications are evaluated based on eligibility and alignment with our mission and Impact Priorities through a multi-step evaluation process. All applications are reviewed by volunteer review panels and their recommendations are presented to our Outcomes Based Investment Committee, a standing volunteer committee and part of our Governance structure. The Outcomes Based Investment Committee makes final recommendations to our Board of Directors. All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s Board of Directors.
All organizations with a presence in Knox County should apply through the Knox County-specific process, including additional counties (if any) they are serving. For organizations serving Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, or Union Counties without service in Knox County, apply through the Counties Process.
All applications are reviewed by volunteer review panels and our Outcomes Based Investment Committee, a standing committee and part of our Governance structure. For organizations serving outside of Knox County, these applications will be reviewed by a volunteer review panel comprised of residents and community members from Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, and Union counties who understand the needs of their communitiesfirsthand.
Community Investment Grants are operational grants and can be used for operational or programmatic support, as determined by your organization’s needs.
Yes, faith-based organizations are eligible if they meet the criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Use the links below to explore additional grant opportunities.
These resources provide helpful context and support as you prepare your application and plan for the 2026-2028 cycle.
