United Way of Racine County’s Equity Through Technology Fund invests in projects and programs that aim to
increase equitable outcomes and reduce disparities for historically marginalized populations in Racine County through the use of technology. The fund is made possible through the generosity of Microsoft Corporation.
The fund supports efforts that:
- Create equitable access to technology, information and/or opportunities
- Use technology to mitigate barriers to success
While achieving at least one of the following:
- Increase in job-readiness skills
- Increase in earning potential through increased knowledge/skills that facilitate access to jobs with higher wages
- Increase in educational attainment (pre-Kindergarten and K-12)
- Increase in access to and utilization of physical and/or mental health services
Through the Equity Through Technology Fund, at least ten organizations will receive funding to serve a combined total of at least 500 Racine County residents. We anticipate the majority of requests will propose enhancements to existing programs, rather than the creation of new efforts.
Watch info session
A virtual information session was held on Feb. 15 about the Equity Through Technology Fund. You can view the recording of that session here.
Fund Eligibility and Information
The fund is available to Racine County-serving nonprofits. To be eligible to apply for funds, organization must meet all of the following criteria:
- Serves residents of Racine County, WI.
- Able to provide (upon request) detailed board-approved budgets and financial reports, including an audit or audited financial statements as required by State of Wisconsin Statute 202.12 (1)(b).
- Has been legally incorporated for at least six months.
- Is tax exempt as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Is governed by a local voluntary board of directors.
- Maintains a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Is in compliance with all funding agreements, policies and procedures if currently receiving funds from United Way.
Application Guidelines and Timeline
The minimum amount for Equity Through Technology Fund requests is $1,000. The maximum request amount is $15,000. Organizations may be granted a maximum of one Equity Through Technology grant.
This is a competitive fund and requests that meet requirements are not guaranteed funding. Equity Through Technology funding is available until the available dollars are exhausted. United Way of Racine County reserves the right to adjust the fund structure at any time. We anticipate disbursing all funds before October 31, 2024. Regardless of disbursement date, all projects must be completed by December 31, 2024.
Requests submitted on or before the last day of the month will be reviewed monthly by United Way’s Community Investment Committee (CIC) the following month. Applications must be submitted online using the form at www.unitedwayracine.org/ETTapplication. Incomplete applications, applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements, and applications with misalignment between the request narrative and request budget will not be considered for funding.
Notification of funding will be issued by the end of the month of review. Grantees are required to submit an end-of-funding report within 60 days of the completion of the project/program or by December 31, 2024, whichever comes first. Unused funds and funds that are not used according to the approved project/program plan must be returned to United Way of Racine County.
Non-allowable Expenses
- Funds cannot be used to cover expenses incurred prior to funding notification.
- Funds cannot be used to supplant existing budgeted items (e.g. existing organization dollars already allocated for the project/program/event cannot be displaced by United Way of Racine County Equity Through Technology dollars and reallocated for other organizational expenses).
Budget Requirements
- All fund applicants are required to submit a complete and detailed budget and budget narrative using the budget template available at www.unitedwayracine.org/ETTapplication. Budget details should include product sources, quantities, unit costs and calculations.
- Allowable budget items include, but are not limited to, hardware, software, accessories, installation fees, warranties and training.
- If the total budget for the project exceeds the amount requested from UWRC, there must be clear documentation of already-secured additional funding sources to cover the difference.
- Requests should demonstrate thorough planning that will result in successful implementation.
Questions
Questions can be directed to Katie Tuttle, special projects manager, via email at ktuttle@unitedwayracine.org or by calling (262) 664-4722
Key Terms
Equity 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.
Marginalized populations: 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 because of systemic, durable, and Fund 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
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