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2024-2025 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

United Way seeks to invest in scalable and innovative projects in our three priorities that demonstrate an awareness of service gaps and/or systemic challenges.

Education: Improved Children and Youth Success – | Universal Extracurricular Participation, Support Adults with incomplete education I Transportation

Economic Mobility: Achieve economic stability | Attain employment I Develop chosen pathways to career I Break generational poverty cycles I Support re-entry/recovery employment options I Transportation

Health: Access care l Mental Health l Age with dignity I Transportation

Please note, in addition to awarding grant dollars, UWLC is also offering Capacity Building opportunities to selected grantee organizations in terms of participation in Project Blueprint, and various Volunteer Opportunities, etc.

Completed submissions must also include the following attached within the application form. Applications are submitted online via a link provided on the United Way webpage.

Applications must include the following information:

  1. Grant Application Answers
  2. IRS Nonprofit Determination Letter
  3. Program Budget
  4. Organization Budget
  5. Board of Directors Roster
  6. Due Diligence Documentation
    • All applicants must submit a completed Assurances Checklist
    (Attachment C in Level Up and Launch RFP)
    • Organizations with an annual budget of more than $500,000 must also submit their most recent audit

Please note that previous grantees of United Way support (EFSP, EITC, etc.) are eligible to apply. Last year’s Level Up and Launch grantees MUST apply for a different project, or expansion of their project in collaboration with another organization.

EXPECTATIONS FROM SELECTED GRANTEES.

The Level Up & Launch Fellows agree to:
  • Adherence to the grant reporting requirements, including monthly updates, mid-year reports, and annual reports.
  • Nominate a staff person to serve as a liaison for all Level Up & Launch communication and coordination.
  • Work with United Way’s marketing team to publicize and highlight the initiative throughout the grant period.
  • Availability to schedule United Way team site visits.
  • Availability to present as a United Way partner organization during United Way’s campaign period (advance notice and training will be provided by the Resource Development team for a 2–5-minute presentation).
  • Maintain an up-to-date organization profile on PA 211 and Get Connected volunteer portal websites.

To learn more about Level Up & Launch Grants:

  • Click here to view the detailed information on Level Up & Launch Grant Request For Proposal  
  • Click here to view the Level Up & Launch grant application.
  • Click here for answers to frequently asked questions
  • Click here for a fillable program budget form

2023-24 Level Up & Launch grant fellows are as follows:

• The Common Wheel ($20,000): Support and expansion of existing programs, including youth apprenticeships and bicycle workshops and “Bikes for All,” which provides bicycles to refugees and low-income adults who face transportation barriers.

• The Edible Classroom ($25,000): Support for establishing school-based community gardens in School District of Lancaster and Columbia Borough School District.

• The Factory Ministries ($19,000): Level up an existing Workforce Advocacy (WA) program, which supports lower-income workers to achieve career success.

• Lancaster County Food Hub ($20,000): Support development of a reentry/reintegration program for clients of the Hub’s overnight and day shelter programs who are exiting mental health treatment, addiction recovery or incarceration.

• Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition ($25,000): Support the expansion of medical and behavioral health clinics and housing services.

• The Literacy Council of Lancaster Lebanon ($5,000): Underwrite production of videos in a variety of languages so students who speak English as a second language can more easily learn technology skills needed to participate in online classes.

• Loft Community Partnership ($30,000): Enable purchase of a refrigerated cargo van to pick up food that would otherwise be discarded and distribute it to households in need.

• Milagro House ($15,000): Support for educational programming, including classroom space rental, purchase of new laptops and hiring an additional part-time teacher.

• The Mix ($30,000): Expansion of after-school programming to support increased enrollment.

• Parish Resource Center ($50,000): Launch of a program that will train volunteers to act as “Accredited Representatives” to represent non-citizens before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department Executive Office for Immigration Review.

• Pennsylvania Furniture Mission ($10,000): Launch of a free-furniture bank to serve residents in southeast and south-central Pennsylvania.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR LEVEL UP AND LAUNCH GRANT PROGRAM

"United Way of Lancaster County hosts events to bring the community together to celebrate wins, fundraise and raise awareness of the gaps within the Lancaster community. We hope that in doing so, we are able to reach new audiences and improve the lives of our neighbors."

|Madeline Seiler
Marketing and Communications Director