RFP 23

Thank you for your interest in United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s Request for Partnership (RFP). Our new organizational strategy aims to advance an economically just region, where access to financial opportunity is universal, and prosperity is shared across race and ethnicity. Core to this strategy is an open application process, where all organizations in our focus communities who focus on our four avenues to prosperity are welcome to apply. We are seeking to partner with nonprofit organizations for multi-year, unrestricted investments focused on direct service or public policy activities. Here, you will find information about our partnership, funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, and application guidelines. Interested in becoming a community reviewer? Apply for this paid opportunity here.

APPLY FOR THE RFP

United Way Partnership at a Glance

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations working towards economic justice through partnership and funding. When you partner with us, you can expect:

• Unrestricted funding to support sustainability
• Opportunities to build the region’s collective capacity by learning what’s working and bringing it to scale
• A shared commitment to systems change and collaboration, leveraging the expertise of diverse partners across the movement for economic justice

Our focus areas include:

• Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building
• Early Education and Out-of-School Time Programs
• Education and Career Pathways for Youth and Young Adults
• Safe and Stable Housing

We prioritize investments in specific communities within the Greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts region to maximize our impact.

How to Apply

To apply for funding through our Request for Partnership, please follow these steps:

• Create an organizational account here, and fill out the eligibility form in the application.
• Eligible applicants will be given access to the full application on May 15, and schedule a conversation in June with United Way staff for support.
• Submit your proposal by July 14.

Eligibility Criteria

• Have 501c3 (not-for-profit) status, or a 501c3 fiscal sponsor
• Support primarily economically vulnerable populations (prioritized investments in organizations focused on Black and Latino/a populations)
• Support or engage people from one of the following places: Boston (prioritizing Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury), Cambridge, Chelsea, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Salem, and Taunton
• Your organization focuses on one of the following: Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building, Early Education and Out-of-School time, Youth and Young Adult Pathways, or Housing Stability. Before submitting your proposal, please review the resources provided above, including the narrative and frequently asked questions.

Timeline:

Please be aware of the following key dates in the RFP process:

• Application submission deadline: July 14, 2023
• Internal review period: July 14-28, 2023
• Community review period: August 7-September 22, 2023
• Announcement of awarded proposals: October 6, 2023

We encourage you to submit your proposal well before the deadline to ensure a smooth application process.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at cihelpdesk@supportunitedway.org. We look forward to receiving your proposals and working together to advance an economically just region.

Interested in Being a Paid Community Reviewer?

APPLY TO BE A REVIEWER