Application Information

2023 Watertown Area United Way Allocation Application

Welcome! This is webpage is dedicated to help returning and new applicants navigate the Allocation Application and Allocations Interview process. Please read below for eligibility requirements, instructions to apply, what to expect in the Allocations Interview, and other related topics. If you have any questions or concerns, then please reach out to the Watertown Area United Way office. 

OUR OFFICE

Watertown Area United Way

Physical Address: 818 South Broadway, Suite 100, Watertown, SD 57201

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 283, Watertown, SD 57201

Office Phone: (605) 886 - 5815

Office Email: director@watertownunitedway.org

Website: www.watertownunitedway.org 

 

Application Deadline: Friday, April 21, 2022

 

To preview the 2023 Allocation Application questions please click here. 

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be an incorporated nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, a county or city program partnered with an incorporated nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, or be a county or city program. 
    •  To prove your organization is an incorporated nonprofit/charitable 501(c)(3) organization to which contributed income is fully exempt under Federal and State law, A COPY OF THE LETTER CERTIFYING YOUR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(C)(3) MUST ACCOMPANY THIS ONLINE APPLICATION. You will be asked to submit this within your online application. 
    • If you are a county or city program partnered with a 501(c)(3) organization, then please provide a Memorandum of Understanding, a letter signed by both parties, or another form of documentation stating that both parties agree to the partnership.
    • If you are a county or city program, then you must provide an explanation of governance in a letter or a governmental information letter if applicable, provide a tax EIN number if applicable and provide an organizational chart. To learn more about Governmental Information Letters click here. To learn what an EIN number is click here. To learn what an organizational chart is click here. 
  • Applicants must be governed by a responsible and active volunteer Board of Directors that serve without pay, meets regularly, and exercises effective administrative control.
  • Requests funding should be for an ongoing program or expense. UNITED WAY DOES NOT FUND ONE-TIME PROJECTS OR INDIVIDUALS. We look to support programs that serve the most people in the Watertown Area either by providing education, bettering health, or supporting financial stability.
  • Must have operated in the Watertown community or in the state of South Dakota for at least one full year or more before applying for Watertown Area United Way funding.

Our application is only open once a year and will not accept any applications outside the March through April window. If you miss the allocation application window, please reach out to Watertown Area United Way throughout the year for information on the next application period. 

Please be aware that all funds awarded in 2023 will be allocated during the year 2024 and are dependent upon the United Way reaching its set annual campaign goal in the Fall/Winter. Should the goal not be met by the campaign Wrap-Up, the Allocations Committee has the right to adjust the allocated amounts accordingly.

For more information on nonprofits, the different kinds, how to become one, and more please visit the following link 501c4, 501c5, 501c6, 501c7 Other Nonprofits (501c3.org) 

 

Instructions:

All applicants are required to have or create an account to complete and submit your online application.  All applicants will also need to prepare and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) within the online application. You will be asked for a list of Board Members, program photos, financial documents and more. To prepare use the 2023 Allocation Checklist to help you gather all necessary documents beforehand.

 

Account Information:

Keep your username and password generic. Use an email that remains the same even if there is a staff change. record your username and password so that you can "save a draft" and return later to complete your online application. Use your agency name as the username and NOT personal information. For example, "UnitedWayWtn" not "JDoe17" or "SoccerMomJane." If you are applying for many programs under the same agency, then use this useful format: "ICAP Dining" or "HSA Serenity." It will prevent any confusion surrounding accounts for both the applicant and United Way. This can also help prevent the duplication of usernames.  This username and password will be the same username and password you will use for any FUTURE agency applications. If needed, you can request a copy of past applications from the Watertown Area United Way office at (605) 886-5815 or email director@watertownunitedway.org. 

  • CREATE AN ACCOUNT (New users only - an email will be sent to you)

  • LOGIN HERE (If you already have a username and password)

  • LOGOUT (Be sure to log out once you have saved your draft or submitted your application)

  • RESET YOUR PASSWORD (if your email has been used previously to create an account, then you can reset your password by clicking on the link)

  • RECOVER AN OLD ACCOUNT (If you are having any trouble accessing your account, resetting a password, need to recover an old account, anything, then please contact United Way's Website Account Manager Christina Godfrey at christina@oneeach.com)

Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted. Late applications will NOT be accepted. Do not leave any blanks; enter N/A if not applicable. Specific required fields will be marked with a red asterisk. With any questions please do not hesitate to ask for help. Watertown Area United Way funds education, health, and financial stability. Our mission is to meet the most basic human care needs. Allocations go to those who can serve the most people, are good stewards, and haven proven capacity to handle funding.

 

Letter of Intent:

The Letter of Intent may be uploaded within the online application. The purpose of  L.O.I. is described below. 

  • To communicate interest in becoming or remaining a partner agency with Watertown Area United Way.
  • Submission of a LOI does not guarantee funding but it is an application requirement. Without the LOI your application will be viewed as INCOMPLETE and will NOT be accepted.
  • You may address the LOI to Watertown Area United Way, Watertown Area United Way Board of Directors. 
  • Tip: Put your LOI on letter head, include your mission statement, statistics, share a brief explanation of why funding is needed, thank United Way for previous years of funding (if applicable), and include both the agency name and program name somewhere in the LOI. Don't be afraid to include quotes from those served or explain how your agency falls underneath a primary focus area(s): education, health, and financial stability. 

To view a sample LOI click here. 

 

The Allocation Interview:

You are not expected to bring a PowerPoint presentation, poster, or any other related materials for your interview but can if you would like. If you would like to utilize one of these resources or expect to bring additional materials for your presentation, then please notify United Way beforehand. Interviews will last about 15 minutes. Allocation interviews are typically held the morning of Wednesday and the afternoon of Thursday. Depending on how many more potential agencies apply we may have to extend interviews into a full two-day schedule. Once all agency interviews are scheduled the United Way Executive Director will disperse that schedule to all applying agencies. If you have a conflict with your interview time, then please reach out to the United Way office by email at director@watertownunitedway.org or phone at (605) 886-5815. United Way will do its best to accommodate for everyone's schedule but may not be able to meet every schedule request.  

 

2023 Allocations Timeline for 2024 Funding: 

March 1, 2023 - Online Application will go live on www.watertownunitedway.org.

April 21, 2023 - Online applications and Letters of Intent are due by 5:00pm Friday, April 21. The online application portal will close at 5:00pm on Friday, April 21.

May 10 & 11,2023 - Allocation Interviews will be held at Lake Area Technical College upstairs on the fourth floor. Applying agencies will be able to wait cafeteria space by the bookstore as well the lobby on the third floor before your interview. Please arrive 15 minutes early.

May 11,2023 - Allocations Committee will meet with the full Board of Directors to discuss 2024 allocation amounts.

June 2023 - If needed the Board of Directors will discuss further at the June meeting about allocation amounts.

June 2023 - Award Letters will be sent out to the accepted 2023-2024 partner agencies. Agencies who do not receive 2024 funding will be reached by email or phone for an update on their funding request. 

September 2023 - Watertown Area United Way Kick-off will be held at Montgomery's Furniture. 

September 1st - October 31st, 2023 - BLACK OUT PERIOD. Please be mindful of the Black Out Period and do NOT fundraise during this time but help promote the annual 2023-2024 Campaign. if your program is selected as the recipient for a fundraiser or needs to reschedule a fundraiser, please contact the United Way office before planning on participating.

Late August 2023 - January/February 2024 - Watertown Area United Way 2023-2024 Campaign

January 2024 - First 2024 allocation will be sent to partner agencies unless you are a reimbursement allocation. For reimbursement the invoices accrued the month prior must be sent to United Way and our accountant by the end of the following month. 

February 2024 - Watertown Area United Way Wrap-up will be held at Montgomery's Furniture. 

 

2023 Allocations More Information:

To view a 2023 Allocations checklist for 2024 funding click here.

To view a pdf of the 2023 Allocation Application click here. 

What Can I Expect for the Allocations Process and What is Required of a Partner Agency Program?

The Watertown Area United Way is a local independent non-profit funded by thousands of individuals and businesses who generously contribute to the annual United Way Campaign. United Way looks to support organizations and programs in Watertown but will accept applications from the surrounding areas in neighboring counties. In reviewing applications for United Way funding, the Watertown Area United Way Allocations Committee is most interested in programs that provide services in the areas listed below.

  • Health
  • Education
  • Financial Stability
  • Safety
  • Human and Social Services
  • Wholesome Recreation for Children
  • Address Other Major Community Needs

Preference is given to programs that impact a broad constituency in the Watertown Area relative to the funding requested, and to requests for funding operational expenses rather than capital expenditures. A group requesting funding may be expected to demonstrate that the need it addresses are not otherwise being met adequately in the Watertown Area. The Watertown Area United Way encourages cooperation among all United Way agencies. At least ONE representative of the applying agency is REQUIRED to appear before the Allocations Committee to give a brief presentation about the agency program, answer any questions about application, or address any concerns brought up by the Allocations Committee. You will be notified by Watertown Area United Way once your agency program's interview has been scheduled. The Watertown Area United Way Board of Directors will make the final decision concerning the allocation of United Way funds and reserves the right to approve or deny any application for funding, whether based on the above criteria and requirements or for any other reason. 

Awarded agency programs will be expected to publicly recognize as a partner agency. This may be done through banners, t-shirts, stickers, plaques, social media shout outs, or another form of recognition to let the public know that your program is supported by Watertown Area United Way. Partner agencies are expected to cover the cost(s) associated with recognition and should NOT request funding outside of the allocation application window for supplies or funds.

Partner agency programs will be REQUIRED to have one or more representatives attend the Kick-off Event, Wrap-up Event, Recognition Celebration, and any other additional Agency Meetings. Watertown Area United Way does greatly appreciate and truly value the agency volunteers who help support the United Way Campaign by being a Loaned Executive or Business Division volunteer. Although partner agency programs are not required to volunteer as LE or BD volunteers it is greatly appreciated by United Way board and staff. Partner agencies are also required to be mindful of the United Way Black Out traditionally held in September and October in the beginning of campaign season.

During a United Way Black Out partner agencies are asked to refrain from conducting any fundraising drives (solicitation). ATTENTION: For the year of 2023 the BLACK OUT WILL start September 1, 2023, and go through October 31, 2023. REMEMBER, that all funds allocated during 2024 are dependent upon the United Way reaching its campaign goal in the Fall and Winter of 2023. Should the goal not be met by the Wrap-up event in 2024 the Allocations Committee will adjust the allocated amounts accordingly. 

It is required to complete and submit the online application to be considered for 2024 funding. Submission of the application constitutes confirmation by the applicant that it meets and agrees to comply with the requirements set by United Way. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a reduction or loss of funding. Applicants will be asked for financial forms, audits, and other related documentation. Click here to view Watertown Area United Way's Financial Accountability requirements. You must submit an online application by Friday, April 21, 2023. Within the online application you will be asked to submit your most recent new success story that will be used by United Way for publicity and during campaign season. Any photos related to the success story may be uploaded within the online application. If you are having trouble uploading photos whether it is size of file or number of photos, please reach out to director@watertownunitedway.org. 

The Watertown Area United Way is a non-profit community based volunteer organization whose purpose is to assist in meeting human care needs of Watertown Area residents. Watertown Area United Way is proud to have served and continues to serve the Watertown Area since June 1970.