Designated Funding
As a service to our donors, Greater Twin Cities United Way allows all or a portion of a donation to be designated to any 501(c)3 nonprofit. Organizations that receive this designated funding can find tools on this page to access designation payout information, as well as policies regarding these funds.
United Way Donor Choice Contact Information:
E-mail: DonorChoice@gtcuw.org
Phone: 612-340-7696
Designation Portal
The designation portal is currently in transition. Current users will receive a communication when there is an update available.
Designation Portal Access
The designation portal is currently in transition. Access requests will be completed when available.
Important Designation Policies
- Donor designations are subject to a cost recovery rate of approximately 5 percent.
- United Way issues the required tax receipts to donors. Donors who asked that their names be provided to your organization are identified by name and address. All other donors are listed as anonymous in accordance with their wishes.
- These donors are already supporting United Way and your organization please do not make additional requests for funding. Thank your donors or acknowledge the gift to your organization.
- Unless you receive additional funding through United Way’s Program Review process, your organization may not represent itself in promotional materials, advertisements, correspondence, publications, etc. as being endorsed, supported by, or in any way related to Greater Twin Cities United Way. If you wish to credit this support, please identify it as “donor designated funds.”
About United Way Funding

General Information
We offer grants focused on making an impact in our Education Success, Household Stability, and Economic Opportunity areas, in addition to numerous other opportunities to fill a gap or impact a critical issue. United Way funded organizations are chosen from a competitive application process, in order to direct grant funding to the most effective programs in the Twin Cities.
When reviewing proposals from registered 501(c)(3) agencies, volunteers and United Way staff use the following selection criteria:
- Location: Funding is restricted to the 9-county greater Twin Cities area (Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and western Washington counties).
- Alignment: Programs must be aligned with our organizational priorities of education, housing, food and economic opportunity.
- Impact: Programming must be effective as reflected by evaluation efforts and outcomes.
- Clients: Populations served must be at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines and should encompass people of all backgrounds and abilities.