We mobilize the caring power of our community to improve lives through partnerships, strategic investment, and advocacy.
United Way of Waco-mclennan County channels community investment into a tightly local portfolio of grants, with all recent recipients located in Texas and many in Waco itself. The largest award in the recent grants list went to Community Doulas of Waco for birth and postpartum doula support, a clear signal that maternal and infant support is part of the foundation’s core work. Other sizable grants show the same pattern of direct service funding: La Puerta received support for affordable counseling services, and Greater Waco Legal Services was funded for legal services and a school-legal partnership. The foundation’s grantmaking aligns with its stated impact areas of Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. That shows up in programs serving pregnant and postpartum women, immigrant families, children, survivors of violence, and underserved adults needing health, dental, and financial support. Recent awards also include work in early literacy through its management of Imagination Library of Waco, where the foundation serves as the local affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Across the portfolio, the emphasis is on direct service delivery, case management, prevention, and capacity building for local nonprofits.
Maternal and postpartum support is a visible priority. In 2024, the foundation gave $85,540 to Community Doulas of Waco for a birth and postpartum doula support program, and it also funded Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas for emergency baby and maternity assistance. Family safety and survivor services appear in multiple awards. Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children received funding for prevention and education and for its victims center, while Family Abuse Center was supported for HOPES and for safety shelter operations. Legal and immigration-related assistance also appears in the recent grants list. Greater Waco Legal Services received support for legal services and a school-legal partnership, and American Gateways was funded for immigration legal services for families in McLennan County. Education and child well-being show up through direct program support, including The Arc of McLennan County for school-aged childcare for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and The Cove Heart of Texas for its nurture center.
$1M
$1.3M
$973K
$683K
Most grants fall between $20K and $40K, with a median of $29K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$29K
75th Percentile
$40K
WENDY ELLIS
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
The recent grant sizes cluster around a modest local range rather than a few very large awards. Typical grant size sits at a p25 of $20,025, a median of $28,687, and a p75 of $40,378. The foundation gives through vetted local nonprofit partners and also accepts unsolicited applications in its Community Investment process. The grant structure includes annual investments and a competitive two-year cycle, so recipients can be supported through both one-year and multi-year arrangements. The organization is a community foundation-style operating funder rather than a family foundation or DAF, and it also manages local program funding for Imagination Library of Waco.
Giving is concentrated in McLennan County and Waco. In the recent grants list, Waco recipients include Community Doulas of Waco, La Puerta, Greater Waco Legal Services, and Mission Waco Mission World. A smaller share goes beyond Waco but still within Texas, including Austin-based Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Round Rock-based Starry Inc, and Temple-based Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation. All recent grants went to U.S. organizations, and 100% of grants were to recipients in Texas.
It funds local nonprofit programs serving Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. Recent awards include community doulas, counseling services, legal services, victim services, case management, financial education, and school-aged childcare for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Yes. Its Community Investment grants and Community Investment process both accept unsolicited proposals, and the grants are reviewed through volunteer Community Investment Councils and vetted partner-agency processes.
The grant-size distribution centers in the tens of thousands: p25 is $20,025, median grant size is $28,687, and p75 is $40,378. Recent awards include both $25,000 and $30,000 grants, as well as larger awards above $50,000.
It gives locally, with 100% of recent grants going to recipients in Texas. Recent grantees were concentrated in Waco and McLennan County, with a few awards elsewhere in Texas such as Austin, Round Rock, and Temple.
Maternal support, legal assistance, survivor services, early childhood care, and economic stability stand out. Recent named awards include birth and postpartum doula support, immigration legal services for families in McLennan County, victims center and safety shelter support, and employment intensive case management.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from United Way of Waco-Mclennan County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Local nonprofit agencies that deliver programs aligned with United Way of Waco-McLennan County impact areas and meet organizational vetting requirements established by the Community Investment Councils. (Specific eligibility and required documentation available via the grant portal.)
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMMUNITY DOULAS OF WACO | WACO, TX | $85,540 | 2024 | BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT PROGRAM |
| LA PUERTA | WACO, TX | $75,000 | 2024 | LA PUERTA AFFORDABLE COUNSELING SERVICES |
| GREATER WACO LEGAL SERVICES | WACO, TX | $68,735 | 2024 | LEGAL SERVICES |
| CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S JOB CORPS OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $68,735 | 2024 | GED TRACK |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | GIRL SCOUTS BEYOND BARS |
| ADVOCACY CENTER FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND CHILDREN | WACO, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | PREVENTION & EDUCATION, VICTIMS CENTER |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE HEART OF TEXAS | WACO, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS CASE MANAGEMENT |
| AMERICAN GATEWAYS | WACO, TX | $46,750 | 2024 | IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES FOR FAMILIES IN MCLENNAN COUNTY |
| MISSION WACO MISSION WORLD | WACO, TX | $46,750 | 2024 | MY BROTHER'S KEEPER/SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM |
| CASA OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $46,750 | 2024 | COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES |
| GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | WACO, TX | $45,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES |
| ADVOCACY CENTER FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND CHILDREN | WACO, TX | $41,950 | 2024 | VICTIMS CENTER |
| GREATER WACO LEGAL SERVICES | WACO, TX | $39,790 | 2024 | SCHOOL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP |
| THE COVE HEART OF TEXAS | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | NURTURE CENTER |
| THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | SCHOOL-AGED CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES |
| CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | EMERGENCY BABY AND MATERNITY ASSISTANCE |
| MENTORING ALLIANCE | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | METORING ALLIANCE AFTERSCHOOL |
| FAMILY ABUSE CENTER | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | HOPES |
| STARRY INC | ROUND ROCK, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | STARRY FATHERHOOD PROGRAM |
| INSPIRACION | WACO, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | INSPIRACION HOME VISITATION PROGRAM |
| FAMILY ABUSE CENTER | WACO, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | SAFETY SHELTER OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION | WACO, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | SURVIVORSHIP |
| COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION | WACO, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | DISEASE MAINTENANCE |
| THE COVE HEART OF TEXAS | WACO, TX | $40,819 | 2023 | NURTURE CENTER |
| FAMILY ABUSE CENTER | WACO, TX | $39,938 | 2023 | HOPES |
| STARRY INC | ROUND ROCK, TX | $33,056 | 2023 | STARRY FATHERHOOD PROGRAM |
| WACO CULTURAL ARTS FEST | WACO, TX | $32,437 | 2023 | THE YELLOW HOUSE PROJECT |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION | TEMPLE, TX | $29,174 | 2023 | BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - HILLCREST NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP |
| CARITAS OF WACO | WACO, TX | $28,687 | 2023 | EMPLOYMENT INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT |
| THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $26,813 | 2023 | SCHOOL-AGED CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES |
| THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $24,486 | 2023 | THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER |
| INSPIRACION | WACO, TX | $24,187 | 2023 | INSPIRACION HOME VISITATION PROGRAM |
| HEART OF TEXAS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (DBA WACO FAMILY MEDICINE) | WACO, TX | $23,549 | 2023 | MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND ADULTS |
| STARRY INC | ROUND ROCK, TX | $23,549 | 2023 | STARRY COUNSELING - WACO |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE HEART OF TEXAS | WACO, TX | $20,549 | 2023 | COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS CASE MANAGEMENT |
| MISSION WACO MISSION WORLD | WACO, TX | $20,025 | 2023 | MY BROTHER'S KEEPER/SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM |
| FAMILY ABUSE CENTER | WACO, TX | $20,025 | 2023 | SAFETY SHELTER OPERATIONS |
| MEALS ON WHEELS - CENTRAL TEXAS SENIOR MINISTRY | WACO, TX | $20,025 | 2023 | THE THERAPEUTIC INITIATIVE |
| GREATER WACO LEGAL SERVICES | WACO, TX | $20,025 | 2023 | LEGAL SERVICES |
| AMERICAN GATEWAYS | WACO, TX | $20,025 | 2023 | IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES FOR FAMILIES IN MCLENNAN COUNTY |
| GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | WACO, TX | $19,312 | 2023 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES |
| CASA OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $19,074 | 2023 | COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES |
| HEART OF TEXAS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (DBA WACO FAMILY MEDICINE) | WACO, TX | $17,924 | 2023 | DENTAL CARE FOR UNDERSERVED ADULTS AND PREGNANT WOMEN |
| ASCENSION PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION | WACO, TX | $16,049 | 2023 | PINK PARTNER FUND |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL TEXAS | AUSTIN, TX | $16,049 | 2023 | GIRL SCOUTS BEYOND BARS |
| CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S JOB CORPS OF MCLENNAN COUNTY | WACO, TX | $11,812 | 2023 | GED TRACK |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION | TEMPLE, TX | $11,111 | 2023 | FAITH COMMUNITY HEALTH |
| COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION | WACO, TX | $10,650 | 2023 | SURVIVORSHIP |
| COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION | WACO, TX | $10,650 | 2023 | DISEASE MAINTENANCE |
| CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS | WACO, TX | $10,000 | 2023 | EMERGENCY BABY AND MATERNITY ASSISTANCE |
COMMMUNITY DOULAS OF WACO
$85,540BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA SUPPORT PROGRAM
LA PUERTA
$75,000LA PUERTA AFFORDABLE COUNSELING SERVICES
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S JOB CORPS OF MCLENNAN COUNTY
$68,735GED TRACK
ADVOCACY CENTER FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND CHILDREN
$50,000PREVENTION & EDUCATION, VICTIMS CENTER
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE HEART OF TEXAS
$50,000COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS CASE MANAGEMENT
ADVOCACY CENTER FOR CRIME VICTIMS AND CHILDREN
$41,950VICTIMS CENTER
THE COVE HEART OF TEXAS
$30,000NURTURE CENTER
THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY
$30,000SCHOOL-AGED CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS
$30,000EMERGENCY BABY AND MATERNITY ASSISTANCE
FAMILY ABUSE CENTER
$30,000HOPES
STARRY INC
$30,000STARRY FATHERHOOD PROGRAM
INSPIRACION
$30,000INSPIRACION HOME VISITATION PROGRAM
FAMILY ABUSE CENTER
$25,000SAFETY SHELTER OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION
$25,000SURVIVORSHIP
COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION
$25,000DISEASE MAINTENANCE
THE COVE HEART OF TEXAS
$40,819NURTURE CENTER
FAMILY ABUSE CENTER
$39,938HOPES
STARRY INC
$33,056STARRY FATHERHOOD PROGRAM
WACO CULTURAL ARTS FEST
$32,437THE YELLOW HOUSE PROJECT
BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - HILLCREST NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY
$26,813SCHOOL-AGED CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY
$24,486THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER
INSPIRACION
$24,187INSPIRACION HOME VISITATION PROGRAM
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND ADULTS
STARRY INC
$23,549STARRY COUNSELING - WACO
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE HEART OF TEXAS
$20,549COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS CASE MANAGEMENT
FAMILY ABUSE CENTER
$20,025SAFETY SHELTER OPERATIONS
MEALS ON WHEELS - CENTRAL TEXAS SENIOR MINISTRY
$20,025THE THERAPEUTIC INITIATIVE
DENTAL CARE FOR UNDERSERVED ADULTS AND PREGNANT WOMEN
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S JOB CORPS OF MCLENNAN COUNTY
$11,812GED TRACK
COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION
$10,650SURVIVORSHIP
COMMUNITY CANCER ASSOCIATION
$10,650DISEASE MAINTENANCE
CARE NET PREGNANCY CENTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS
$10,000EMERGENCY BABY AND MATERNITY ASSISTANCE