United Way of the Tri-Valley Area invites area nonprofits, including 501 (c) (3) nonprofits, schools, municipalities or faith-based organizations to apply for Venture Grant Funds.

There are two grant opportunities of $5,000 each.

Applications should be in alignment with at least one of the two goals of the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, which have been identified as areas where there exists gaps between community needs and existing services. Preference will be given to proposals that are new and innovative. The goals, and identified needs within those goals that proposals must address, are:

1. Responding to emergencies and meeting basic human needs.  Provide short term housing and case management for homeless individuals or families or those who are at risk of homelessness; and/or provide basic household necessities to stabilize individuals and families.

2. Strengthening children and families. Substance abuse prevention, especially prescription drugs, by developing and implementing prevention education and outreach strategies; and mentoring  by providing positive role modeling for youths through consistent opportunities to connect through before or after-school opportunities, in-school programming or community activities.

Projects must be directly applicable to one or more of the goals above. Projects must serve and/or impact the United Way of the Tri-Valley service area, which includes Franklin County, Livermore and Livermore Falls.

For more information visit www.uwtva.org or call 778-5048. Proposals are due by July 15.