HUNTINGTON — While funding for non-profit organizations can be limited, a possible funding opportunity for local groups has recently become available.

An organization known as the United Way of the River Cities (UWRC) has announced it will be accepting Letters of Intent for its upcoming 2013-14 funding cycle, and any 501(c)(3) non-profit health and human service organization in UWRC’s service area, which includes Mason County, is eligible to apply.

Letters of Intent applications are available at www.unitedwayrivercities.org. Letters of Intent are due Feb. 11, 2013. Applicants that meet the required criteria will be invited to submit a full application, which will be submitted online and will be due April 19, 2013.

According to UWRC, some of the requirements non-profit organizations have to meet to be eligible for funding including the following. The organization:

• Is an incorporated nonprofit organization and has tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code, unless faith-based (i.e. church).
• Has a Board of Directors that is an active, representative voluntary governing body, with regular meetings and is responsible for developing its mission, determining its strategic direction and providing oversight.
• Has up-to-date, current bylaws, or guidelines, by which the organization operates.
• Files an IRS form 990, including schedule A or 990 EZ, or can document the circumstances under which the 990 filing is waived.
• Can provide a current budget for the entire organization.
• Can submit, when requested, a current annual audit (or financial review if funding request is less than $25,000), prepared by an independent CPA in compliance with generally accepted accounting standards as applied to non-profit organizations.
• The project or program for which funding is requested falls within one or more of UWRC’s Focus Areas or Critical Issues. If the Letter of Intent is for Safety Net services, must be able to provide the number of people served and basic demographic information, such as county of residence.
• Has the mechanisms and capacity for regularly reporting measurable, qualitative and quantitative outcomes (or outputs/persons served if this is a Safety Net program).
• Demonstrates reasonable efficiency in program management and adequacy of resources, both in materials and in personnel (voluntary and paid) to sustain a quality level of service.
• If this is a collaborative effort, will submit a statement from each identified partner listing their roles and responsibilities in the effort.

Reportedly, UWRC’s goal is to better the human condition in local communities and does this by providing funding for safety net services, as well as programs and projects that create long-term solutions in the focus areas of Health and Wellness, Learning and Earning, Families and Children, and Basic Needs/Unforeseen Hardships.

Other organizations in Cabell, Wayne, and Lincoln counties in West Virginia, as well as Lawrence County in Ohio, are also eligible to apply for funding through UWRC.

For questions about the application process or for more information on the eligibility requirements, contact Laura Gilliam at 304-523-8929, ext. 1, email laura.gilliam@unitedwayrivercities.org or visit www.unitedwayrivercities.org.