This is a resource page for those interested in applying for funding through United Way of Greater Portland’s annual investment process. We will keep this page updated and add resources if necessary.

UWGP’s Community Investment application is open!

The Fiscal Year 2022 investment application is OPEN as of January 8, 2021 and closes February 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. 

To access the application and needed reference materials, scroll to the bottom of the page!

Want to learn more about the application process? Watch our virtual applicant meeting recorded on January 13. Staff gave an overview of the process and answered technical questions.

Want to schedule a time to chat with UWGP staff? Click HERE to sign up for an applicant support time.  

ELIGIBILITY 

Currently Funded Programs: All programs currently funded in the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) application process are invited to apply. If your program was offered two-year funding in FY21, you will complete the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) application.

NEW Applicants: All programs not funded through the Community Investment process in FY21 are considered new applicants and must meet the eligibility criteria below. New applications must address one of the priority strategies of Thrive2027 that can be found in the Thrive2027 Framework document.

As a chapter of United Way, UWGP serves Greater Portland (Cumberland County minus Brunswick and Harpswell). Applicants must use any funding received to serve the community in these areas. Other eligibility criteria include:

• The lead organization must be a non-profit 501(c)(3), a public school, a municipal entity, an Indian Tribal government or can demonstrate a legal relationship with an established 501(c)(3) acting as your fiscal agent. 
• The program must be doing work that demonstrates progress toward the Thrive2027 Goals using strategies in the Thrive2027 Framework.
• All partners named in the application must operate consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, and comply with UWGP’s counter-terrorism compliance agreement as outlined in the application. 

As mentioned above, all UWGP Community Investment applicants are required to demonstrate a commitment to impact the Thrive2027 Goals by identifying the specific contribution, effort, or action they will make, including: 

• Data-driven program activities and evidence-based best practices or promising practices, that are based in research;  
• Articulation of the way(s) in which collaboration is included in program creation, implementation and/or evaluation; and 
• Measurable impact on Thrive2027 Goals Framework Strategies demonstrated through performance measures. 

NOTE: This is not a complete list of questions posed or materials required in the application. 

What is Thrive2027? 

 For those who are unfamiliar or who need a refresher, Thrive2027 is our community’s commitment to three 10-year goals to give kids a strong start (Goal 1); empower neighbors to thrive – not just survive (Goal 2); and help us all live longer, better (Goal 3).

In 2016, our community came together because, despite our best efforts, improvements were not happening quickly enough or reaching as deeply or widely as we needed. Too many in Greater Portland were struggling. It was clear that we needed more people from all sectors at the table collaborating at a large scale to build a thriving community for us all.

Leading this effort is the Thrive2027 Council and Goals Cabinets, comprised of volunteer subject matter experts representing multiple sectors of Cumberland County. The result from community input, research, and best practices was Thrive2027, an initiative to achieve the three goals. United Way of Greater Portland serves as the backbone to Thrive2027, providing logistical support, volunteer support, and data to inform Thrive2027 strategies.

APPLICATION AND MATERIALS

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION IN WORD. 

This includes a link to the actual application via Blackbaud, our grantmaking software. Your application must be submitted via Blackbaud. The Word document is to support your application draft.

 Reference materials needed to complete application:

• Thrive2027 Goals Framework with Priority Strategies: A list of strategies by goal from which to choose for your application. New applicants must choose from the priority strategies in bold.
• List of Shared Outcomes Measures: A list of shared performance measures by goal required in the application. For every Thrive2027 strategy you use, you must choose a corresponding shared outcome measure.
• Application Information: A document that includes relevant details about the application process including further explanation of evaluation criteria, outcomes, and reporting.
• Application (Word Version): A copy of the application in a Word document for you to use to draft your application before entering it in our grantmaking system.
• Recording of Applicant Meeting on January 13

 Still have questions? Find UWGP staff contact information here.

• If you have technical questions (e.g., accessing Blackbaud software), please email Sarah Warren at swarren@unitedwaygp.org.
• OR click here to schedule an appointment with a staff member.