Healthy People, Strong Communities

Improving personal wellbeing and neighbourhood health

United Way Niagara invests in programs and services that address complex human and social issues faced by individuals and families in the community. Investments from United Way aim to serve people in the community who are experiencing marginalization and vulnerability and focus on creating an equitable future for all. United Way Niagara will address issues from both an immediate-needs perspective and a future-focused lens. 

2024 CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Healthy People, Strong Communities priority area will invest in programs and services that fall within one of the following two funding streams:

1. Traditional Three-Year Funding 
2. Neighbourhood Collaborative Three-Year Funding

FUND TIMELINES

1. The Eligibility Form and Letter of Intent opens in the United Way grant portal on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 and is due by January 23, 2024 by 11:59pm EST.
2. Applicants will receive notification by Wednesday, January 31, 2024 if eligible to proceed to the full application.
3. The Full Funding Application is due by Friday, March 1, 2024 by 11:59pm EST.
4. Applicants will receive notification of the funding decision in July 2024 with funding beginning on April 1, 2025.

THE ISSUE

The negative effects of social isolation are far reaching. Conversely, the restorative effects of social connectedness, sense of belonging and inclusion can lead to positive outcomes such as improved resiliency and overall wellbeing. The development of social capital is key to addressing issues that arise from isolation and lack of connectedness. 

'Social capital' can be defined as “the networks and relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.” Strong social capital can build resilience in people and in neighbourhoods, leading to stronger, healthier communities.

HEALTHY PEOPLE, STRONG COMMUNITIES PRIORITY AREA FUNDING OUTCOMES

Through this funding stream programs will be supported that contribute to:

• Improved personal wellbeing and neighbourhood health
• A stronger community with equitable opportunities for everyone to participate

Programs that align with this category, will address one or more, of the following outcomes:

• Build and strengthen social capital and resiliency
• Equitable access to programs and services
• Overall health and wellbeing
• Wraparound and/or participant centred approaches
• Social inclusion and belonging
• Sense of connection(s) to community

Traditional Three-Year Funding

Interested applicants will complete the Eligibility Quiz and Letter of Intent. Upon completion and a review of these forms, the applicant will be notified of the invitation to complete the Healthy People, Strong Communities full funding application. For additional information or assistance with the application process, please contact Chandra Hardeen, Director of Community Investment at chandra@unitedwayniagara.org or at 905-688-5050, Ext. 2104. 

FUNDING OVERVIEW

As part of the Healthy People, Strong Communities priority area, United Way Niagara will provide three-year funding for programs and services that improve the health, wellbeing and strength of the community, through equitable access to supports, for people in need in Niagara. Programs and services funded within this priority area will ultimately build the social capital within the community and contribute to the health of Niagara’s people.

FUNDING GOAL

The goal of this priority area is to build social capital, both at an individual and community level, to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, while also creating stronger and healthier neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood Collaborative Three-Year Funding

Interested collaboratives are required to contact Chandra Hardeen, Director of Community Investment at chandra@unitedwayniagara.org or at 905-688-5050, Ext. 2104. The date of this contact is required to be provided within the collaborative's Letter of Intent.

FUNDING OVERVIEW

As part of the Healthy People, Strong Communities priority area, United Way Niagara will fund one or more collaborative(s), for up to three years, between two or more agencies, to develop social capital in an at-risk neighbourhood(s) in Niagara. The program should be/will have been developed with input from community members/neighbours through an outreach and/or consultation process, and may be a pilot that can be replicated in other neighbourhoods in the future.The Program should address systemic issues at the neighbourhood level, build social capital, connectedness and belonging, and remove barriers to participation.

FUNDING GOAL

The goal of the Neighbourhood Collaborative funding is to invest in a collaborative focused on building social capital within a priority neighbourhood(s), at both at an individual and community level, [by working collaboratively and creatively], to improve the health & wellbeing of individuals, while also creating stronger and healthier neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhood Collaborative funding opportunity will provide up to three years of funding. The amount of funding granted will be dependent upon the scope of the project.

NEIGHBOURHOOD COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM DESIGN

The collaborative program plan should include, but may not be limited to, the following components:

• Overall framework and vision for the program
• Anticipated outcome(s)

                 Phase one: consultations with identified community, determine needs and program design

                 Phase two: program planning and implementation, continuous improvement based on

                 feedback from the community being served

• Partner agencies
• Roles of partner agencies
• Identification of at-risk neighbourhood(s)
• Utilize NPI mapping to demonstrate neighbourhood need
• Consultation process with community
• Development of program implementation plan
• Implementation of program
• Budget

All programs applying for United Way funding, must also be able to identify which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the program is addressing. A minimum of one (1) SDG must be selected and reported on annually to United Way Niagara. 

For more information on the Healthy People, Strong Communities 2024 Call for Proposals, contact Chandra Hardeen, Director of Community Investment at chandra@unitedwayniagara.org or at 905-688-5050, Ext. 2104.