Community Impact Grants interest local dollars into our communities by supporting programs that address targeted issues identified by United Way of Greater New Bedford. Grants are competitive with an open application process. This year, United Way of Greater New Bedford will focus its support on the impact areas of Healthy Community and Youth Opportunities. Grants to support the Financial Security impact area will be by invitation only.
Interested non-profit organizations are asked to complete a Letter of Intent (LOI). Successful applicants will be invited to complete a Request for Proposal (RFP). An all-volunteer committee will review and score these proposals, interview new applicants, and make funding recommendations. Organizations receiving grants are accountable for responsible use of the funds and must file mid-year and final reports measuring their service impact.
Our Community Impact Areas include:
Healthy Community: Improving health and wellbeing for all.
- Nutrition & food security
- Mental health
- Maternal & child health
- Substance misuse
Click here to learn more about Healthy Community.
Youth Opportunity: Helping young people realize their full potential.
- Early education and childcare
- In- school, after- school & summer learning
- Literacy development
Click here to learn more about Youth Opportunity.
Financial Security: Creating a stronger financial future for every generation.
- Financial education and coaching
- Public benefits access
- Homelessness prevention & affordable housing
Click here to learn more about Financial Security.
How to Apply
Community Impact Grant application period is now closed. Please check back in March 2027.
2026-2027 Grantees
Program Name: Operating Support
Award Amount: $10,000
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford serves with one purpose: to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Program Name: Resident Supportive Services Program in New Bedford
Award Amount: $20,000
Caritas' Resident Supportive Services Program in New Bedford helps veteran residents stabilize their housing and improve their lives by accessing essential and entitled benefits, health services, substance use treatment programs, job training, financial skills and more.
Program Name: VITA- Free Tax Preparation
Award Amount: $20,000
VITA provides free tax preparation and year-round tax support to working families and seniors. This year, as an additional component of VITA, we also launched a Financial Check-Up program to help residents achieve financial stability.
Program Name: The Caring Network
Award Amount: $20,000
Since 1996, Caring Network has provided free psychoeducational groups to children who have witnessed/experienced violence in their home, school or community. Groups help children, ages 4-14, learn about emotions, coping strategies, conflict resolution, self-esteem and safety. Group participation helps reduce feelings of isolation and understanding abuse is not their fault.
Program Name: Healing & Resiliency Program (HARP)
Award Amount: $25,000
The CAC of Bristol County provides a coordinated response throughout the county, to disclosures and allegations of child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, commercial sexual exploitation/child trafficking, and witness to violence. We help children and families heal from trauma and we educate the community about prevention.
Program Name: C4C College Mentors for New Bedford K-12 Students
Award Amount: $10,000
C4C places trained college students in under-resourced schools to serve as mentors, tutors, and role models. College Mentors provide academic and social-emotional support to K-12 students, improving student engagement and learning outcomes.
Program Name: Money Management Program
Award Amount: $25,000
Coastline's Money Management Program (MMP) serves 26 communities, helping adults 60+ maintain independence through Bill Payer (volunteer support) and Representative Payee (for those unable to manage finances). MMP prevents exploitation and housing loss by partnering with Protective Services and Social Security.
Program Name: Sailing and Leadership Training (SALT) Program
Award Amount: $10,000
CBC launched Sailing and Leadership Training (SALT) to fill a community void in programming that develops leadership training and real-world job skills for young adults in high school and college, and early career transitions. SALT equips participants with foundational skills to become confident leaders, mentors, and youth program instructors.
Program Name: Academic Excellence Program
Award Amount: $10,000
The Academic Excellence Program provides a safe environment for tutoring, recreation, and personal development. We meet every child "where they are," fostering the skills and resilience necessary for lifelong success.
Program Name: Maternal Health Access Initiative
Award Amount: $15,000
The Maternal Health Access Initiative operates through four interconnected components that directly address local needs. Together they form a single coordinated pathway from pregnancy detection through postpartum care.
Program Name: New Bedford Equity Now
Award Amount: $20,000
Health Imperatives provides culturally sensitive, confidential, and high-quality sexual and reproductive health services for low-income un-or under-insured vulnerable women and provides substance use disorder harm reduction, prevention, and treatment services through the New Bedford Equity Now program.
Program Name: Recovery Support in Greater New Bedford
Award Amount: $20,000
Herren Project provides free recovery housing scholarships for seven weeks and six months of peer recovery coaching for Greater New Bedford residents recovering from substance use disorder. This program helps individuals transition from treatment into stable recovery by providing structured sober housing, accountability, and ongoing recovery support.
Program Name: Urgent Basic Needs Services for Immigrant Families
Award Amount: $25,000
Urgent Basic Needs for Immigrant Families provides emergency assistance to vulnerable immigrant households, including food, housing stabilization, family preparedness and access to essential services. Through case management and culturally responsive support, the program helps families address immediate crises, reduce instability, and connect to long-term resources for self-sufficiency.
Program Name: Early Intervention
Award Amount: $10,000
Early Intervention is a home-based program that provides services for children 0-3 who have a disability, developmental delay, or are at risk of delay. Services may include educational, nutritional, nursing, specialized therapies (occupational, physical, and speech), or help with sensory/feeding needs, to name a few.
Program Name: Student Mental Health and Wellness Services
Award Amount: $15,000
Nativity Prep's Student Mental Health and Wellness Services support the academic achievement and positive development of New Bedford middle school boys. The clinician provides individual counseling sessions, group sessions, staff and faculty sessions, and sessions for families, parents and guardians of students.
Program Name: The NorthStar Empower Hour, Family Enrichment Program
Award Amount: $10,000
The NorthStar Empower Hour serves New Bedford-area families through structured sessions with on-site childcare, shared meals, and bilingual facilitation. Parents gain practical tools and community connections, while a Family Liaison provides individualized support and builds peer groups to reduce isolation and strengthen resilience.
Program Name: OSS School Counselor
Award Amount: $15,000
The full-time school counselor supports student well-being and academic success with an emphasis on social-emotional and communication skills that align with the School's standard for social interaction. The school counselor provides individual and group counseling and works closely with staff and parents.
Program Name: PACE YouthBuild New Bedford
Award Amount: $20,000
Blueprint to Financial Literacy, now in its 7th year, teaches PACE YouthBuild members core financial skills, helps them open bank accounts, and encourages them to save 20% of their weekly stipend to build stability.
Program Name: Tutoring Program for New Bedford Students Impacted by Homelessness & Poverty
Award Amount: $10,000
SOWMA's "Tutoring Program" is an "out of school time" education support program that addresses student education equity and mitigates challenges to learning by empowering vulnerable New Bedford youth to gain academic and social-emotional skills and access opportunities and resources to reach their school potential.
Program Name: Elevate LGBTQ+ Youth
Award Amount: $20,000
Elevate LGBTQ+ Youth provides holistic support for youth, young adults, and families through case management, home visiting, social opportunities and resource connection. Services strengthen emotional well-being, promote family relationships, and stability. By addressing key risk factors early, the program helps prevent housing insecurity and homelessness while empowering participants to thrive.
Program Name: New Beginning Moms Do Care
Award Amount: $15,000
Program Name: New Bedford Women's Graduate Program
Award Amount: $15,000
Program Name: Roadmap to Financial Security
Award Amount: $10,000
Turning Point is a social service agency that provides supportive services to individuals and families who are facing various life challenges and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Tuning Point offers housing assistance, assistance with heat/utility bills, emergency food/clothing, baby items, employment information, financial literacy and referrals.
Program Name: Providing High-Quality Afterschool Learning Experiences
Award Amount: $15,000
At Y.O.U., youth ages 9-14 participate in afterschool programs that focus on both improving health and well-being through healthy eating and physical exercise, while helping young people realize their full potential through hands-on, experiential learning.
Program Name: YWkids School Age Child Care Program
Award Amount: $20,000
YWKids provides low-income families with state-of-the-art care during out-of-school-time. Mental Health Services & a certified clinician provides counseling that works on challenges that interfere with child development. Family Engagement clinicians offer mental health services for families to engage in discussion around child development.