How to Become a Partner Agency

The process by which local organizations may obtain funding through Mesa United Way involves two significant steps, the first of which is to establish eligibility for funding. This eligibility is determined by demonstrating to United Way--through certification and/or by providing documentary evidence--that the organization meets or has addressed certain basic criteria.

Once an organization has been informed by United Way that the base eligibility criteria have been met to its satisfaction, an application for funding assistance may be submitted for consideration in United Way's annual Community Investment Process. While a determination that an organization may be "eligible" to apply for assistance is a prerequisite for submission of an actual application for funding, it is not a guarantee or assurance that funding will be forthcoming.

The actual funding of an organization's application is dependent upon a number of additional factors, not the least of which are the dollars available as a result of the prior year's fundraising campaign. Other factors may include the quality and responsiveness of the funding proposal, whether it addresses human services priorities established
by United Way, etc.

While an application to determine eligibility may be submitted at any time within the year, actual funding applications are received annually at a time and in a manner announced in advance by Mesa United Way, usually in the late fall of the year.