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Health and Basic Needs Advisory Council Volunteer Interest Form: For 2027 - 2029 Investment Cycle

Advisory Council Volunteer Expectations

Thank you for your interest in serving on the Heart of Missouri United Way's Health and Basic Needs Sustainable Impact Advisory Council, which supports our Sustainable Impact Grant Investment Process. Advisory Council volunteers are responsible for recommending to the HMUW Community Impact Committee, a committee of the HMUW Board of Directors, the best way to invest funds raised in our community for our community. With requests for funds routinely in excess of available funding, the Advisory Council volunteers have a complex and difficult set of decisions. In 2026, we anticipate receiving 18-22 proposals from 15-20 organizations requesting funding for programs aiming to improve Health and Basic Needs outcomes of clients they serve.

Advisory Council volunteers commit to the full schedule of advisory council activities to contribute equitably through the decision-making process. Activities include attending an in-person 2-hour training session, reading written proposals, viewing 5-minute nonprofit organization presentation videos, participating in at least two 45-minute virtual Q&A Sessions, and attending and participating in two (2) decision-making discussion meetings. Throughout the process, volunteers must promote values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Sustainable Investment process is transparent. Only those Advisory Council volunteers who have met the commitments described above will participate in decision-making discussions for making funding recommendations to the HMUW Community Impact Committee. Participating in the whole process is imperative for equitable decision-making that improves lives in our community. We hope providing the Advisory Council Calendar of Activities with descriptions in advance and having a mostly virtual process will help ensure your full participation.

Thank you for your interest in serving our community.

If you need assistance or have questions, please email Courtney Simmons, Chief Social Investment Officer at csimmons@uwheartmo.org and Krista Myer, Social Investment Specialist at kmyer@uwheartmo.org.

Thank you,
Courtney and Krista
1.Heart of Missouri United Way values the insights and expertise of people based on their diverse lived experiences, professions, and academic knowledge. Our goal is to include many volunteers and their various perspectives on the Impact Advisory Council to ensure equitable decision-making. Please tell us about yourself.


1. What does equitable access to health and basic needs resources mean to you? (Required.)
2.Do you support the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are values that help create fairer, more accessible opportunities for all.
(Required.)
3.Why do you want to be a member of the Health and Basic Needs Impact Advisory Council?

Examples include but are not limited to: Retired service provider, prior recipient of services, I feel like I can really impact community change through this role because.....(Required.)
4.Why do you believe you will be an effective member of the Health and Basic Needs Impact Advisory Council? (Required.)
5.Do you foresee any potential conflicts of interest as a volunteer tasked with evaluating proposals submitted by nonprofit providers serving Boone, Cooper and Howard County residents? Please list any potential conflicts of interest.

Examples include but are not limited to: I serve on the Board of an organization likely to submit a proposal, I have a family member employed by an organization likely to submit a proposal, I currently receive services from an organization likely to submit a proposal, etc.
(Required.)
6.Your Ethnic Identity (Required.)
7.Your Gender Identity(Required.)
8.Your preferred pronouns. (i.e. she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/their, etc.)(Required.)
9.Do you have any special accommodation requests?
Sustainable Impact Advisory Council Activities
(Specific dates will be determined after October 1, 2026. The final calendar will be updated and shared with the final council of volunteers.)

1. Thursday, October 22, 2026, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Training
~ Evaluating Grant Proposals and Technology Training (In-person Attendance Required)
2. Thursday, October 22, 2026: Evaluation of Proposals (To be performed at your convenience over a 4–5 week period)
Advisory Council Volunteers May Independently Begin Evaluation of Grant Proposals. All Grant Proposal reviews can be performed at your convenience before your scheduled Q&A Sessions.
~ Watch 5-minute Virtual Proposal Presentation videos
~ Read grant applications
~ Read Health & Basic Needs Investment Strategy Alignment Questionnaire Responses
3. October 27 - November 10: Virtual Q&A Sessions
Advisory Council volunteers will be asked to sign-up for at least 2 virtual 45-minute Q&A Sessions. A Q&A Session will be scheduled with non-profit organizations for each proposal they submit. You will be able to sign-up based on your availability. (Virtual Attendance Required)
4. Thursday, November 12, 2026, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Advisory Council In-Person Discussion #1
Boone Impact Group Partners Discussion with Council, Council Review of Initial Scores, Proposal Discussion, Council begins to make recommendations to lead Discussion #2. (In-person Attendance Required for all AC volunteers
6. Thursday, November 19, 2026, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Advisory Council In-Person Discussion #2/Final
Review of Scores, Review Discussion 1 recommendations and continue discussions, Finalize Funding Recommendations. (In-Person Attendance Required for all AC volunteers)
7. Thursday, December 3, 2026, 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Community Impact Committee (CIC) review and approve funding recommendations for the Board of Directors Meeting on, January 21, 2026. (Only the Advisory Council Chair will Attend the CIC meeting)
8. Wednesday, January 21, 2027, 7:30am – 8:45 am
The Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, January 21, 2027, and vote on the investment recommendations made by the Community Impact Committee informed by HBN Advisory Council. Advisory Council volunteers are invited to attend during the Strategic Investment portion of the Board Meeting agenda. (Only the Advisory Council Chair is Required to Attend)

10.By electronically providing my full name, I acknowledge and understand the expectations of serving on the Impact Advisory Council.(Required.)
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Heart of Missouri United Way. Volunteers play an integral role in improving lives in our community. Your interest form will be reviewed by Social Investment staff. In the weeks to come, interested individuals invited to participate on the Sustainable Impact Advisory Council will receive the full calendar of events and a request to confirm your full participation.

If you have questions in the meantime, please email Courtney Simmons, Chief Social Investment Officer at csimmons@uwheartmo.org and Krista Myer, Social Investment Specialist at kmyer@uwheartmo.org.

Thank you,
Courtney and Krista