Funding Grants Bolster Weld County's Non-Profit Organizations to the Tune of $650,000
United Way of Weld County Awards $650,000 in Grants for Community Programs
The United Way of Weld County has announced the recipients of its 2025-2026 Collective Impact Fund, granting a total of $650,000 to various nonprofits and programs focused on key issues in Weld County, Colorado. The funded initiatives align with the organization’s four strategic focus areas: Weld's Way Home, Thrive by 25, Aging Well, and Reading Great by 8.
The competitive grant cycle underscores the power of Collective Impact in leveraging funding to support outstanding work in the community. The quality and depth of the applications received were inspiring, as stated by Melanie Woolman, president and CEO of United Way of Weld County.
The grants were awarded to programs addressing the following areas:
- Homelessness and basic needs programs supporting Weld's Way Home, which may include meal services at shelters or housing support initiatives.
- Youth-focused nonprofits that work toward educational success and life skills development under Thrive by 25.
- Senior care and resources organizations aligned with Aging Well to improve quality of life for older adults.
- Early literacy and education programs falling under Reading Great by 8, helping children develop strong reading skills before grade 3.
The funding distribution specifically targets critical community needs aligned with the four priorities. For instance, 38% of the total funds were allocated to programs ending homelessness through shelter, housing, and support, while 25% went to youth social, educational, and workforce readiness programs. Similarly, 21% of the funds were used to enhance senior health, safety, and independence, and 16% were dedicated to early childhood literacy interventions and education support.
The grantmaking approach reflects a collective impact model, partnering with local nonprofits tackling interconnected challenges in Weld County to produce measurable outcomes in these domains. A volunteer review panel, consisting of leaders from education, human services, libraries, and local government, scored applications for alignment with community needs and measurable impact.
These programs have a daily impact on the lives of local residents and support long-term, collaborative problem-solving efforts in Weld County. The grants are part of United Way's commitment to community-driven solutions for cradle-to-career support and household stability.
For more detailed information about the exact list of grantees and program descriptions, you may want to follow releases or updates directly from United Way of Weld County’s official communications or their website. A total of 51 applications were received from 46 nonprofits, requesting over $1.37 million.
The awarded initiatives strengthen Northern Colorado's resilience through education, housing, and care-focused programs, ultimately enhancing cradle-to-career support and household stability throughout the county.
- The United Way of Weld County, having allocated $650,000 in grants, supports various nonprofits addressing issues in northern Colorado, such as housing and homelessness initiatives (Weld's Way Home), youth educational programs (Thrive by 25), senior care resources (Aging Well), and early literacy education (Reading Great by 8).
- A significant portion of the grants, amounting to 38%, goes towards programs ending homelessness, offering shelter, housing, and essential support services, while 25% is dedicated to youth social, educational, and workforce readiness programs.
- The community of Weld County benefits from these grants daily, as they empower local nonprofits to collaborate on solving interconnected challenges, ranging from housing stability to education and self-development.
- Successful programs such as these, awarded through a competitive grant cycle, contribute to strengthening the resilience of northern Colorado with an emphasis on cradle-to-career support and household stability, demonstrating the power of collective impact within the government, education, finance, business, and community sectors.
