SUMMER GRANTS
Everything you need to know about the Summer Grant program.
The United Way of Indiana County Grant Program Committee and the United Way of Indiana County Board of Directors administers a small grants program designed to award grants to qualifying entities that meet the general guidelines and present a fully developed proposal geared toward meeting the priority needs of Indiana County.
A United Way of Indiana County grant project is defined as one that addresses: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency
Pictured is 2025 Summer Grant recipient, Evergreen After School Club (EASC) Kids Connect program. This program provides a safe, supportive space where children can build friendships, develop social skills, and engage in enriching activities after school.
FUNDING GUIDELINES
1. Only projects that relate to one of the priority needs listed above will be given consideration in the grant approval process.
2. Funding is awarded for one year. Projects that have received grant funding from UWIC for two (2) years in a row must wait out one year before reapplying for funding for the same project.
3. Eligible expenses include any personnel who will be delivering a component of the service, marketing materials, printing, program supplies, etc needed for the direct program staff to use in conducting or promoting an event.
4. Purchases of equipment necessary for the direct provision of services of a United Way funded program may be an allowable expenditure, however, all proposed equipment purchases must be listed specifically in the agency funding proposal. Transportation costs for clients, or for direct service staff to a service site may also be considered. However, the Panel responsible for reviewing the proposals will determine the legitimacy of any such requests. Recommendation by the committee does not guarantee allowance by the Board of Directors.
5. United Way funding may not be used for general operating expenses including but not limited to administrative salaries, mortgage or rent expenditures, capital building expenditures, general maintenance, utilities, insurance, national, state or local association dues, celebrations, endowments or operating deficits.
6. Funds may not be used for projects already funded by the United Way of Indiana County through another allocation process.
Pictured is 2025 Summer Grant recipient, IHS Green Bandana Project. It is a student-led mental health awareness initiative that trains participants to support peers in need and connect them with trusted resources.
WHO MAY APPLY
Grants will be awarded on a merit basis to those 501c3 entities and other organizations that demonstrate a solid programmatic plan for meeting an unmet human service need of the people of Indiana County and/or who qualify to receive charitable contributions as defined under Section 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Total amount awarded is subject to the amount designated by the United Way Board of Directors annually.
Pictured is 2025 Summer Grant recipient, The ARC of Indiana County’s Emergency Preparedness program. Which equips individuals—especially those with disabilities—with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to safely plan for and respond to emergencies.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Grants will be awarded by September 1. All grant funds must be spent within one year of allocation. The total amount and size of grants will be decided at the discretion of the United Way Grant Program Committee, but typically range from $500 to $ 2,500.
Only electronic applications will be accepted. Provide sufficient information to enable the Grant Program Committee to have a clear understanding of your project.
Limit one application per program.
A final report on the results of the project must be submitted to the United Way office within 30 days of the end of the program or project, demonstrating that the funds were utilized for their intended purpose. This report is to be submitted on the United Way Grant Project Final Report Form.
Any questions may be addressed to Joe Fishell, Executive Director, uwfishell@uwindianacounty.org
Pictured is the 2025 Summer Grant recipient, Pack the Sack-Hiking for a Cause program from Indiana Area High School. This experience served as an educational opportunity, with the weighted backpacks symbolizing unseen challenges their classmates face daily. Following the hike, students donated the collected food to the ICAAP program to support backpack food initiatives in the county and assist local families in need.
2026 SUMMER GRANT APPLICATIONS WILL BE OPEN STARTING TUESDAY, MAY 19TH.
Previous Summer Grant Recipients
The ARC of Indiana County | Emergency Preparedness
Evergreen After School Club (EASC) | Evergreen After School Club Kids Connect
Indiana Area High School | Green Banadana Project
Indiana Area High School | Pack the Sack - Hiking to Help
Penns Manor Area Elementary School | Penns Manor Elementary for Early Literacy
Penns Manor Foundation | Indiana County Fife and Drum Corps
ARIN IU 28 | Reunification Kit
Keystone Family Alliance | Growing Care Communities in Indiana County
Community Guidance Center | Harvest Home
IUP Research Institute | IUP Footlight Players
Gap Ministries | Gap Ministries, Celebrate Life Recovery & Renewal Program Support
Laurel Highlands Council, BSA | New Cub and Webelos Skills Weekend
Indiana Arts Council | Youth Arts Celebration
The ARC of Indiana County | Educational Advocacy Program
Chevy Chase Community Center | The Laundry Basket at Chevy Chase
Evergreen After School Club | Evergreen After School Club Steamin' Down the River
The Care Center | Group Connections
Indiana County Public Safety Academy | Flashover Recognition and Survival Training
Penns Manor Area Elementary | Penns Manor Elementary for Early Literacy
Indiana County Community Action Program | ICCAP Client Transportation Support
Indiana County Recovery Center | Recovery Capital Assessment Fund
The Downtown Theater Project | Indiana Theater Film Club
Word of Grace Fellowship | Community Health Project
Aging Services Inc. | Passport to Wellness
Alice Paul House | Support with Style
Chevy Chase Community Center | CPR and AED Training
Children's Advisory Commission of Indiana County | Family Nature Palooza
Concordia-IRMC VNA | Hopeful Hearts
Cummings Family Foundation | Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
F.A.V.O.R of Western PA | Kids Krew and Parents Cafe
Indiana County Farmers Market | Matching Market Money
The Care Center | Raising Healthy Children
Indiana County Public Safety Academy | Flashover Recognition and Survival Course
Alice Paul House | Healthy Kids Carnival
Burrell Township Library | Child and Caregiver Programming
Children's Advisory Commission of Indiana County | The 20th Annual Family Fun Fest: World Safari
County of Indiana | Critical Incident Stress Management Team Training
Indiana County 4-H Club | 4-H Discovery Day Camp
Indiana County Community Action Program | ICCAP Client Transportation Support
Indiana County Recovery Center | Recovery Capital Assessment and Fundamental Goals of Health, Education, and Financial Stability
The Care Center | Raising Healthy Kids
YMCA of Indiana County | Anti Hunger Food Program
Community Guidance Center | ALPHA Reusable Education Material Protection
Chevy Chase Community Center | Food Preservation 101
Concordia- IRMC VNA | Hopeful Hearts
The Arc of Indiana County | Community Educator/Parent Empowerment Colloquium 2021
Alice Paul House | Economic Justice and Financial Empowerment
YMCA of Indiana County | After School Tutoring
Children's Advisory Council | Family Nature Palooza - Bug and Forest Animal - OPOLY
Indiana Recovery Center | Recovery Capital Assessment and Fundamental Goals of Health, Education, and Financial
Indiana Area School District | Summer Catch Up Camp
Suicide Task Force | Question, Persuade and Refer Suicide Prevention Training
Penns Manor School District | Launching Literacy Program
ICCAP | Workshop Supplies
Special Olympics | Program Launch, Growth and Expansion
Children's Advisory Commission | Family Fun Fest
Family Promise | Beyond Shelter Store
Indiana County Farmers Market | Foodbucks Program
ICW Vocational Services | Steps to Success Program
Evergreen Boys & Girls Club | Anti-bullying/Life Skills Program: LaserTeam Assembly Program
ICCAP | Transportation for Pathways Program
Alice Paul House | Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Burrell Township Library | Storing Our Library Program
Children's Advisory Commission | 2019 Day of Play/Teen Day of Play
CARE Center | New Equipment
Kinsport Assembly of God | 2019 Back to School Clothes Giveaway