About the fund

United Way of Racine County's Equity Innovation Fund supports projects, programs and solutions that use innovative strategies to reduce disparities, improve outcomes and empower members of historically marginalized populations. The fund is made possible through the generosity of novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, and through support from Racine County.

This is a competitive fund, and requests that meet requirements are not guaranteed funding. United Way of Racine County reserves the right to adjust the fund structure at any time.

Apply for funding

Next deadline is March 15, 2024

Begin by fully and carefully reviewing all information on this page and downloading the fund application information as a Word doc or PDF. Please note these documents were updated in February 2024. You are encouraged to download the documents now to ensure you are using the most current information available.

Proposed projects/programs must address one or more of the following areas:

Early childhood and kindergarten readiness
K-12 academic and/or social emotional success
Individual independence
Individual and/or family stability

Once you've determined that your project/program idea is a good fit for the Equity Innovation Fund, spend time developing your timeline, budget (using the downloadable template below) and narrative that clearly defines:

The population served
The disparity or disparities addressed
What makes the project/program innovative
The definition of success for the project/program
The impact created through the funding

From there, you're ready to request access to the application! Meeting requests must be made at least seven days before the application deadline.

To request access to the application, please first schedule a meeting with Special Projects Manager Katie Tuttle through the button below. Be prepared to discuss your program/project idea, your project/program timeline, and your budget.

Once you have access to the application, please be aware of the following: The application must be completed in one sitting. Progress cannot be saved. If you navigate away from the application while in progress, you will need to begin again. You are strongly encouraged to download the fund information (linked above) to prepare your responses in advance and then copy and paste into the application webform. Paper and/or emailed applications will not be considered.

Note: The fund information (linked above) was updated in February 2024 and the budget template (linked below) was updated in August 2022. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they use current guidelines and templates. Revisions will be posted on this site with the date of update clearly noted.

Submitting Your Budget and Proof of Entity Status

After submitting your application, you will need to separately provide a complete and detailed equity innovation budget including sources, quantities, unit costs and calculations, as well as your organization or fiscal agent's proof of IRS determination of 501(c)3 status or 170 status.

Click the button above to download the budget template. Other budget forms will not be considered for review.

When you receive your automated confirmation email after submitting your application, please immediately attach your budget and 501(c)3 or 170 determination letter as a response.

Click the button below to submit quarterly and end-of-project reports and to learn more about reporting requirements.

Click here to learn more about our grantees!

View Equity Innovation Fund Impact Reports

Cohort 1

Cohort 2-3

Email Special Projects Manager Katie Tuttle with any questions.

Key terms

Equity, innovation and historically marginalized population are key terms related to this funding opportunity. The definitions used for these terms for the purpose of this fund are as follows:

Equity creates conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. It is just and fair inclusion. Equity is not equality.

Innovation makes changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas and products. Innovation requires knowledge, ingenuity and focus. It is newness—or renewal—and improvement. Innovation is not invention.

Historically marginalized populations are individuals, groups, and communities that have historically and systematically been—and continue to be—denied access to services, resources and power relationships across economic, political, and cultural dimensions as a result of systemic, durable, and persistent racism, discrimination and other forms of oppression. Historically marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by inequities.

Historically marginalized populations are often identified based on their race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, geography, religion, language, sexual identity, and disability status, and include members of the following groups/communities:

African American/Black
Indigenous
Immigrant or refugee
Latinx/Hispanic
LGBTQIA+
People of color
Veterans
Women
Seniors
Individuals with cognitive or physical differences