United Way of Lee County is now accepting Letters of Intent to Apply for Funding from Lee and Harnett County nonprofit agencies. 

United Way uses a two-step application process. Submission of the Letter of Intent is the first step. After reviewing all submissions, the United Way Board of Directors plan to invite qualified organizations to submit a full application for funding. The intention of this two-step process is to make the application process easier for agencies, since the LOI is less detailed than the full application.

Human-service agencies with 501(c)(3) status and public schools, colleges, and universities serving Lee and/or Harnett County communities are eligible to complete a Letter of Intent. Detailed eligibility criteria may be found on the LOI. 

Eligible agencies may apply for traditional United Way program funding and/or for Barrier Busters funding. Barrier Busters is a United Way program that helps people living in poverty overcome obstacles that are keeping them from achieving their goals. More information is available at www.leecountyunitedway.org/barrier-busters; detailed program guidelines may be downloaded from the LOI.

United Way of Lee County works to alleviate poverty and help people build pathways to self-sufficiency. In 2023, funding priority will be given to programs addressing housing, food, and physical and mental health. Community volunteers will evaluate funding requests, taking into consideration such things as the community’s need for the program, the impact that the program is making, and how the program advances equity. These volunteers make

recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors, which makes final funding determinations.

Executive Director Kendra Martin shared that the funding application process ensures that donors’ dollars are invested where they can truly make a difference. “Agencies applying for funding go through a rigorous process, designed to make sure that United Way is responding to critical community needs,” Martin said in a press release. “What you give here stays here to help address challenges that our most vulnerable citizens are facing. We are so grateful to everyone who contributes to United Way, and we highly value the trust that is placed in us.”

The Letter of Intent can be found at www.leecountyunitedway.org and is due Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.