Announcement: Inclusive Performance Strategies (IPS) to review United Way's RFP Community Grant Fund process.

As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Heart of West Michigan United Way is excited to announce it has engaged Inclusive Performance Strategies (IPS) to conduct an independent equity-focused review and analysis of our RFP Community Grant Fund Application and review process.    

The objective of this review is to identify and affirm factors that may contribute to inequities or be discriminatory within the grant application and review process, that may limit consideration of certain applicants based on organizational attributes and/or identity markers (i.e. race/ethnicity, cultural background, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc.). In addition to the review of documents and materials related to the grant application and review process, key interviews and focus groups will be conducted to capture the perceptions and perspectives of previous grantees and applicants regarding the grant application process. All data will be collected and reported in a manner that ensures confidentiality. 

In an effort to ensure that United Way’s grant-making process continues to provide equitable opportunity to leverage community resources, a final report by IPS will provide a summary of the review process, outline significant findings and present recommendations regarding process improvement for consideration. United Way is committed to pursuing a vision of a thriving community for all, and this is one crucial step towards realizing this vision.