United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) Healthy Community Initiative seeks to contract with organizations to deliver services that advance the goals outlined in this Request for Bids (RFB).

Areas of Interest

The Charter for Healthy Community is that every individual has access to the supports, services, and resources needed for optimal mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. We aim to create a community where barriers to health are minimized, care is equitable, and everyone can thrive in safe, supportive, and inclusive environments. This Healthy Community Initiative seeks to build a connected, resilient system that addresses mental health and wellness across the community. A core strategy is the co-located services model, which brings providers directly to spaces where people live, learn, work, and gather. By embedding services in familiar environments, the initiative reduces barriers to care, strengthens provider connections, streamlines referrals, and improves coordination. Through collaboration, shared resources, and early intervention, the initiative advances integrated support, equitable access, and a holistic approach to wellbeing, helping every individual reach their full potential.

Goal

To increase access to mental health care by bringing providers and services directly to the spaces where people live, learn, work, and gather, reducing barriers to care, streamlining referrals, improving coordination between providers, and promoting timely, collaborative, and holistic support for overall wellness.

Impact Data to Be Collected

Outcome:

The percentage of individuals who, after being referred or introduced to the co-located mental health provider, successfully connect and engage in at least one mental health session.

Output:
The total number of people served through the contracted programming.

Characteristics of Contract Agreements

Proposals for a variety of contract types within the priority area will be accepted, including:

1. General operating
2. Program/project
3. Start-up
4. Capacity building
   
   

UWCM will make a one-year contractual commitment with selected organizations. Opportunities for renewal or future contracts will depend on available UWCM funds, the demonstrated impact of the current initiative, and other relevant factors.

Contract amounts will be awarded up to $50,000.

Organizations selected through this competitive bid process will be expected to deliver on the following contractual obligations:

• Shared Data and Metrics
• Orientation
• Acknowledgment of Contracted Partnership
• Attendance at Quarterly Convenings
• “Know Your Number” Commitment
• Support of Initiative Communications and Engagement
• Annual Comprehensive Report
  
  Learn more about full contractual expectations
  
  

Eligibility and Limitations

UWCM contracts primarily with charitable, nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities. In limited cases, contracts may also be awarded to units of government or foundations.

UWCM generally will not enter into contracts for:

• Marketing or promotional efforts
• Event or fundraising activities
• Capital campaigns or expenditures (e.g., land, buildings, vehicles, or facility maintenance)
• Organizations that intend to re-grant or redistribute funds
• Debt reduction or program shortfalls from previous years
• Endowment funding
• Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
• Activities that serve a specific religious purpose
• Program work conducted outside the UWCM service area

United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) Financial Security Initiative seeks to contract with organizations to deliver services that advance the goals outlined in this Request for Bids (RFB).

Areas of Interest

Our vision for a Financially Secure Community is that every individual and family has access to the supports, services, and resources needed to achieve economic stability and mobility. The Financial Security Initiative builds a connected, resilient system addressing financial literacy and access to resources, partnering with agencies across our service area to bring education and support directly to where people live, learn, work, and gather. By embedding programs in familiar environments, the initiative reduces barriers, strengthens provider connections, and improves coordination of services. The goal is to increase access to financial literacy education and resources for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) community members, empowering them to build economic mobility, achieve lasting stability, and strengthen long-term skills and resilience.

Goal

Increase access to financial literacy education and resources to empower ALICE community members to build economic mobility and achieve lasting financial stability through education, assistance, and targeted programming. By partnering with established agencies across our service area, we will expand our reach and combine resources to strengthen the financial skills and resilience of individuals and families in our community.

Impact Data to Be Collected

Outcome:

The percentage of participants who report increased confidence in managing their finances after participating in financial literacy education or assistance programs.

Output:
The total number of people served through the contracted programming.

Characteristics of Contract Agreements

Proposals for a variety of contract types within the priority area will be accepted, including:

1. General operating
2. Program/project
3. Start-up
4. Capacity building

UWCM will make a one-year contractual commitment with selected organizations. Opportunities for renewal or future contracts will depend on available UWCM funds, the demonstrated impact of the current initiative, and other relevant factors.

Contract amounts will be awarded up to $35,000.

Organizations selected through this competitive bid process will be expected to deliver on the following contractual obligations:

• Shared Data and Metrics
• Orientation
• Acknowledgment of Contracted Partnership
• Attendance at Quarterly Convenings
• “Know Your Number” Commitment
• Support of Initiative Communications and Engagement
• Annual Comprehensive Report
  
  Learn more about full contractual expectations
  
  

Eligibility and Limitations

UWCM contracts primarily with charitable, nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities. In limited cases, contracts may also be awarded to units of government or foundations.

UWCM generally will not enter into contracts for:

• Marketing or promotional efforts
• Event or fundraising activities
• Capital campaigns or expenditures (e.g., land, buildings, vehicles, or facility maintenance)
• Organizations that intend to re-grant or redistribute funds
• Debt reduction or program shortfalls from previous years
• Endowment funding
• Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
• Activities that serve a specific religious purpose
• Program work conducted outside the UWCM service area

United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) Youth Opportunity Initiative seeks to contract with organizations to deliver services that advance the goals outlined in this Request for Bids (RFB).

Areas of Interest

Our vision is that every child in our community has the opportunities and support to thrive and succeed from cradle to career. We believe that essential to this vision is recognizing that historical and ongoing inequities embedded in systems, structures, and policies prevent equitable access, accomplishments, and outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and youth of color, as well as youth living in low socio-economic conditions and in ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. The wellbeing of our entire community is diminished by these inequities, and we strive to unite our community to create equitable environments, opportunities, and supports so that every child has what they need to thrive and succeed in school and in life.

UWCM Youth Opportunity will contract with organizations that can deliver services advancing a shared initiative focused on Post-Graduation Pathways.

Goal

Increase student success by ensuring all young people graduate academically prepared, socially and emotionally skilled, with a strong sense of belonging and a clear awareness of their post-graduation pathways. Expand equitable access to essential resources, supportive services, and meaningful education and career opportunities that reinforce the lifelong value of learning.

Impact Data to Be Collected

Outcome:
The percentage of participating students who can identify a clear post-graduation pathway (education, training, military, or workforce) and report feeling prepared to pursue it.

Output:
The total number of young people served through the contracted programming.

Characteristics of Contract Agreements

Proposals for a variety of contract types within the priority area will be accepted, including:

1. General operating

2. Program/project

3. Start-up

4. Capacity building
   
   

UWCM will make a one-year contractual commitment with selected organizations. Opportunities for renewal or future contracts will depend on available UWCM funds, the demonstrated impact of the current initiative, and other relevant factors.

Contract amounts will be awarded up to $35,000.

Organizations selected through this competitive bid process will be expected to deliver on the following contractual expectations:

• Shared Data and Metrics

• Orientation

• Acknowledgment of Contracted Partnership

• Attendance at Quarterly Convenings

• “Know Your Number” Commitment

• Support of Initiative Communications and Engagement

• Annual Comprehensive Report
  

  Learn more about full contractual expectations

Eligibility and Limitations

UWCM contracts primarily with charitable, nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities. In limited cases, contracts may also be awarded to units of government or foundations.

UWCM generally will not enter into contracts for:

• Marketing or promotional efforts

• Event or fundraising activities

• Capital campaigns or expenditures (e.g., land, buildings, vehicles, or facility maintenance)

• Organizations that intend to re-grant or redistribute funds

• Debt reduction or program shortfalls from previous years

• Endowment funding

• Political campaigns or lobbying efforts

• Activities that serve a specific religious purpose

• Program work conducted outside the UWCM service area

United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) Community Resiliency focus seeks to contract with organizations to deliver services that advance the goals outlined in this Request for Bids (RFB).

Areas of Interest

The goal of Community Resiliency is to ensure that no one in Central Minnesota is left without access to life’s essentials.Community Resiliency is the foundation of United Way of Central Minnesota’s mission to meet immediate, essential human needs and promote long-term stability. This area of investment ensures that individuals and families facing crisis have timely access to food, shelter, and safety — the most basic necessities for survival and dignity.

Goal

To strengthen the community’s capacity to support essential, basic needs programs that provide food, shelter and safety to residents in crisis to foster stability, security, and long-term independence.

Impact Data to Be Collected

Outcome:
The percentage of those served that feel their basic needs were met through access to food, shelter and safety programming.

Output:
The total numbers served

Characteristics of Contract Agreements

Proposals will be considered for program/project funding only. Organizations must be able to provide information on numbers served and cost per unit of service.

UWCM will make a one-year contractual commitment with selected organizations. Opportunities for renewal or future contracts will depend on available UWCM funds, the demonstrated impact of the current initiative, and other relevant factors.

Contract amounts will be awarded up to $35,000.

Organizations selected through this competitive bid process will be expected to deliver on the following contractual obligations:

• Orientation
• Acknowledgment of Contracted Partnership
• Attendance at Quarterly Convenings
• Support of Initiative Communications and Engagement
• Annual Comprehensive Report

Learn more about full contractual expectations

Eligibility and Limitations

UWCM contracts primarily with charitable, nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities. In limited cases, contracts may also be awarded to units of government or foundations.

UWCM generally will not enter into contracts for:

• Marketing or promotional efforts
• Event or fundraising activities
• Capital campaigns or expenditures (e.g., land, buildings, vehicles, or facility maintenance)
• Organizations that intend to re-grant or redistribute funds
• Debt reduction or program shortfalls from previous years
• Endowment funding
• Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
• Activities that serve a specific religious purpose
• Program work conducted outside the UWCM service area