To make the process more convenient for organizations vying for funds, the United Way of Greater Williamsburg is moving its grant application online.
The service agency will switch to an online-only format for the next round of grant applications, which are due by 1 p.m. Jan. 8.
“We’re hoping to make it more streamlined and easier for applicants to submit requests for funding,” said Liz Vestal, the United Way’s initiatives manager.
Previously, grants could be submitted electronically through email. Vestal said applications often included multiple email attachments – as many as eight – which became complicated.
The change will require applicants to use the online system, through technology company CommunityForce, allowing them to upload documents to a central location and save their work periodically.
Vestal said the CommunityForce platform was chosen in part for its ease of use. She did a test run with the system and found it to be straight-forward.
To learn about the system, the United Way requires applicants to attend one of two training sessions in December. Attendees will have the chance to walk through the process and ask questions, and Vestal will also be available until the due date to assist applicants through the transition.
“I’m hoping it will go very smoothly,” she said.
Sessions will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 at the Williamsburg Health Foundation, and are scheduled to last 90 minutes.
If there are more people interested than can fit in the two workshops, Vestal said the organization will add more.
To learn more or to sign up for training, call 253-2264 or email [email protected].
Last month, the United Way announced a new grant for $500,000 for an innovative, collaborative strategy to fight homelessness. Read more about the grant, which will have official details revealed in the spring, and the issue of local homelessness here.
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