The program examples listed within each priority area are intended to provide general guidance and inspiration for applicants. These examples are not exhaustive and are not intended to limit eligible program models or approaches.

United Way of the Lakeshore welcomes innovative, collaborative, and community-informed strategies that align with the goals and outcomes of each focus area.

Programs that demonstrate strong alignment with community need, measurable impact, and the identified priority areas are encouraged to apply, even if their specific model is not explicitly listed.

All funded programs will be required to report measurable outcomes throughout the funding cycle.

Each funded program must commit to tracking and reporting on at least ONE required outcome measurement tied to their selected impact area. Programs may choose to report additional outcomes if applicable.

Organizations should be prepared to explain:

• How data will be collected

• How outcomes will be measured

• What tools or assessments will be used

• How the program will track participant progress over time

United Way of the Lakeshore understands that meaningful community change takes time and that community impact work is complex. Outcome measurements are intended to support learning, accountability, and shared impact — not create unnecessary barriers for organizations doing important work in our communities.

Our goal is to partner with agencies throughout the funding cycle to strengthen data collection, improve community outcomes, and better understand the collective impact we are creating together.

United Way seeks to support programs that help children ages 0–8 build strong literacy and developmental foundations that contribute to long-term educational success.

Programs may include, but are not limited to:

• Early childhood literacy initiatives

• Reading readiness programs

• Parent engagement programs

• Tutoring or mentoring

• Book access initiatives

• Family literacy programming

• Developmental learning supports

Required Outcome Measurements

Programs must track at least one of the following:

• XX% of children ages 0–8 demonstrate significant improvement in developmental or early literacy skills, including age-appropriate developmental milestones, letter identification, phonemic awareness, or reading fluency between baseline and follow-up assessments.

• XX% of parents/caregivers report reading with their child at least 15 minutes per day by the end of the program.

• XX% of families engage in three or more literacy-building activities per week, including reading, storytelling, letter games, or library visits.

Examples of Potential Measurement Tools

Examples of potential measurement tools may include, but are not limited to:

• Pre/post literacy assessments

• Kindergarten readiness screenings

• Parent surveys

• Attendance and engagement tracking

• Reading fluency benchmarks

• Developmental milestone tools

Organizations may propose alternative tools, assessments, surveys, or tracking systems that appropriately demonstrate program impact and outcome achievement.

United Way seeks to support programs that help individuals and families obtain, maintain, or stabilize safe and sustainable housing.

Programs may include, but are not limited to:

• Homelessness prevention

• Housing navigation

• Rapid rehousing

• Financial literacy

• Eviction prevention

• Tenant advocacy

• Housing stabilization services

• Supportive housing services

Required Outcome Measurements

Programs must track at least one of the following:

• XX% of individuals participating in housing and financial literacy programs increase disposable income by accessing benefits, tax credits, or reducing household costs.

• XX% of individuals participating in housing programs secure or maintain stable housing for more than six months following program support.

• XX% reduction in evictions through legal representation, mediation, and other innovative eviction prevention or housing stabilization strategies.

Examples of Potential Measurement Tools

Examples of potential measurement tools may include, but are not limited to:

• HMIS data

• Follow-up housing status checks

• Financial coaching assessments

• Income and benefit tracking

• Eviction filing data

• Participant self-reporting surveys

Organizations may propose alternative tools, assessments, surveys, or tracking systems that appropriately demonstrate program impact and outcome achievement.

United Way seeks to support programs that improve access to affordable, high-quality childcare that meets the needs of working families and supports healthy early childhood development.

Programs may include, but are not limited to:

• Licensed childcare expansion

• Infant and toddler care

• Non-traditional hour childcare

• Childcare workforce development

• Family childcare supports

• Subsidy navigation

• Quality improvement initiatives

Required Outcome Measurements

Programs must track at least one of the following:

• XX% increase in the availability of licensed childcare slots, including expanded infant and toddler capacity, convenient locations, or non-traditional operating hours.

• XX% increase in the number of families accessing affordable childcare through subsidies or financial assistance.

• XX% of participating childcare programs demonstrate strengthened early learning environments through improved staff credentials and strong performance on recognized quality rating tools.

Examples of Potential Measurement Tools

Examples of potential measurement tools may include, but are not limited to:

• Licensing and enrollment data

• Provider capacity tracking

• QRIS/quality rating assessments

• Staff credential records

• Parent affordability surveys

• Subsidy enrollment data

Organizations may propose alternative tools, assessments, surveys, or tracking systems that appropriately demonstrate program impact and outcome achievement.