Do you have an idea for changing the world — or at least your corner of it? You may be eligible to apply for a Changemaker Grant from United Way of Greater New Bedford.
Changemaker Grants empower ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things to help their neighborhoods and their community. All-volunteer groups in Greater New Bedford can apply for up to $2,500 to complete projects that are engaging, community driven, solutions-focused, and that foster unity through community action.
“Changemaker Grants enable residents to identify an issue or a gap in their community, and provide a creative solution to addressing it,” said Sarah Rose, Chief Impact Officer. “Over the years, we’ve seen some amazing projects that have had lasting impact in our region. A grant from United Way in the early 2000s empowered a group of volunteers to increase access to books and encourage reading. Now, Little Libraries can be seen outside places like fire departments and schools throughout New Bedford.”
To be eligible for a grant, groups must be all volunteer with budgets less than $40,000. Projects should be small in scale, but have the potential for long-term impact. Changemaker projects ideally should support one of the following United Way impact areas: family resilience, health access, economic mobility, or educational opportunity.
United Way is hosting two virtual information sessions in February for groups to learn more. Sessions will take place via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 12 at 4 pm and Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 pm. To register, visit unitedwayofgnb.org/changemaker-grants or call 508-994-9625.
In addition to funding, Changemaker groups are further supported with skill-building workshops, networking opportunities, and recruiting new volunteers to assist with their projects through Volunteer SouthCoast.
Applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 12 and must be submitted by March 22 through United Way’s grant portal. Click here to learn more or register.
United Way of Greater New Bedford is the local chapter of United Way Worldwide. It has operated since 1953, advocating for family resilience, health access, economic mobility, and educational opportunity for every person in the nine communities it serves through essential services such as the Family Resource & Development Center, Hunger Commission, and New Bedford Community Connections Coalition. Additionally, United Way funds local organizations whose programming addresses these issues and matches them with volunteers through Volunteer SouthCoast.