UNITED NEIGHBORHOODS
Community-led and community-based model to create sustained neighborhood change.
Our United Neighborhoods strategy works to change the odds for individuals and families living in our region’s most disinvested neighborhoods. From financial stability and affordable housing to school preparation and literacy skills, the needs of these communities are many and varied.
United Neighborhoods launched in 2017 in Charlotte’s Renaissance West and Grier Heights neighborhoods. Working with a lead partner agency—a “Community Quarterback”—in each community, United Way funds and guides the work toward achieving its collective goal of building a thriving neighborhood in which families want to live.
Transformation and revitalization efforts are driven through community-specific strategies backed by multi-year funding and staff resources from United Way. Needs are identified by residents and addressed by a coalition of community stakeholders that includes residents, schools, nonprofits, government officials, places of worship, hospitals and businesses.
Block Building Grants
United Neighborhoods expands with the addition of six “Block Building Grants”.
These grants support neighborhoods in the early stages of comprehensive revitalization.
Grants will build the capacity of “community quarterback” organizations, fund community engagement activities and complete resident-driven neighborhood planning to identify needs and solutions.
Neighborhood Organizations Include:
- Brookhill Community Resource Center
- Hidden Valley Community Development Corporation
- Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
- North End Community Coalition
- Smithville Community Coalition
- West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition
2022 UNITED NEIGHBORHOODS GRANTS
The 2022 United Neighborhoods funding cycle will be January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022. Total funding available to each neighborhood for the 2022 funding cycle is $250,000. Funding may go toward multiple agencies or a single, highly collaborative initiative.
Along with addressing priorities identified by residents and community stakeholders, funding through United Neighborhoods is prioritized for agencies offering evidence-based and research-informed services, or services rooted in the lived-expertise of those served, using a two-generational approach and advancing a racial equity framework.
Application Resources For Prospective Applicants
United Way strongly encouraged agencies interested in receiving a United Neighborhoods Community Grant for work in the Renaissance West and/or Grier Heights communities to attend virtual information sessions. Although the sessions have ended, you can watch the webinar here.
Access Passcode: 3l$Q6f%W
United Neighborhoods Information Session PowerPoint
The Letter of Interest submissions are now closed. United Way’s Community Impact team will notify each applicant agency if it has advanced to the next stage of the application process by the end of July.
For questions and inquires, email unitedneighborhoods@uwcentralcarolinas.org.
It Takes a Village
We are bringing together the people and resources needed to help achieve economic mobility at the neighborhood level.
View Our Neighborhood PartnersTake Action
Share and Advocate
Share our work through United Neighborhoods with your coworkers, friends and family members.