Grant Criteria

Introduction

Since 1953, United Way of Greater New Bedford (UWGNB) has been a steady force on the Southcoast, investing in the region and mobilizing resources to build stronger, more connected communities. Thanks to the generosity of local companies and donors, we support work that addresses both immediate needs and long‑term challenges.

What we see through our partnerships and direct community engagement offers valuable insight. These observations help us understand how broad, interconnected issues—rooted in racial, social, economic, and other disparities—shape the lives of local residents.

With this understanding, we focus on strategies that create measurable impact and rely on strong collaboration to advance equitable outcomes. To guide our priorities for transformative change, we organize our work into four core impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. 

Community Impact Grants

Community Impact Grants direct funds sourced locally to programs addressing priority issues identified by United Way of Greater New Bedford. Grants are competitive and use an open application process. This year, funding will focus on the impact areas of Healthy Community and Youth Opportunity. Grants supporting nutrition & food security and programs within the Community Resiliency impact area will not be considered at this time due to UWGNB significant investment in these areas through its programs. Financial Security grants will be offered by invitation-only.

Grant Criteria

• Non-profits and public entities are eligible to apply for funding for one program or service. 
• Only one application per organization. 
• Proposals representing partnerships or collaborations are welcome. A clear backbone or lead fiscal agent must be identified and will be responsible for monitoring and reporting outcomes. 
• Applicants may apply for up to one year of funding. (Financial Security Impact Area – three years)  
• If your organization is currently receiving Community Impact grant funding, you are eligible to submit a new application if you have completed your mid-year grant report. 
• Proposed programs must benefit UWGNB’s service area of the city of New Bedford and the surrounding towns of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Wareham.

Scope of Application

• Proposals must directly align with UWGNB’s impact areas and must have the existing infrastructure to track specific program success and measurement aligned to impact outcomes (see below).  
• UWGNB is seeking to support the most effective programs and services in UWGNB’s impact areas of Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security. Financial Security grants will be offered by invitation-only. 
• Grants can be for a specific program or for operational support including funding to support staff salaries, associated benefits and taxes, supplies and materials of programs, and other direct and indirect costs as reasonable for the success of the program or service. 

Grant Amount

• Maximum: $25,000, minimum: $10,000

Requirements

• Completed Letter of Intent
• Completed Request for Proposal that meets criteria (by invitation)
• Participation in interview and/ or site visit, if required 

Review Criteria

• Program Alignment with UWGNB impact areas. Applicants must aim to address at least one of the identified indicators in UWGNB’s Health Community, Youth Opportunity, or Financial Security (by invitation) impact areas.
• Applicants must properly project how they will achieve selected program indicator(s) and be equipped to report on their successes in achieving their outcomes at the end of the grant period: 
  • Quality of Program: Based on the projected number of beneficiaries achieving program indicator(s) and other supporting evidence, the applicant makes a clear case for the effectiveness of the program.  
  • Partner credibility, leadership, and staff time: The applicant is credible and is willing to allot the appropriate amount of staff time (including leadership time) to achieve the application’s goals.  
  • Evaluation & Program Improvement: The applicant has a plan to evaluate their program or service and use that information to continuously improve the program or service.  
  • Budget: The budget is reasonable given the potential impact of the program. Furthermore, UWGNB funding is used appropriately and is an integral part of the budget.
  • Program Sustainability: The program has a track record of success in receiving grant funding. The funding for the program is diverse enough that sustainability of the program  is not in question.
  • Financial Health of Organization: The applicant has a healthy financial position as assessed through their organizational budget, audit, and financial statements.  

Grant Timeline

• March 9 - Letter of Interest (LOI) opens
• April 6 - Letter of Interest (LOI) closes
• Week of April 20 - Notification of invitation to complete Request for Proposal  
• May 11 - Request for Proposal closes  
• May 27 - Applicant interviews and/or site visits
• Week of June 29 - Grant award notification 

Letter of Interest 

• Two-page maximum  
• Submit via CommunityForce  
• Letters of Interest must include:
  • Summary of the program
  • Summary of how the program aligns with UWGNB mission and impact areas and program indicator; directly citing target issues and specific program indicators the applicant will track during the grant period

Reporting

Grantees are expected to submit a midyear and final report to UWGNB.  

Reports will include: 

•  Demographic information about program participants: age, race, ethnicity, gender, income range, and service area.
•  Any notable successes or stories in the program
•  Performance of the program as it relates to the selected indicators that the applicant projected (see below for additional detail)
•  Any setbacks or challenges over the course of the grant period; opportunities to improve the program or service
•  Other program outcomes, as specified by the applicant
•  Plans to improve the program based on its prior year’s performance
•  Detailed spending report & narrative 

How to Apply

United Way of Greater New Bedford will accept Letters of Interest (LOI) from March 9 - April 6 from non-profit organizations in United Way of Greater New Bedford's service area. Applicants selected to submit a Request for Proposal will be notified the week of April 20. Please go to CommunityForce to complete the Letter of Interest (LOI).  

Impact Areas: Goals, Outcomes