The United Way of Greater Fall River is offering Impact Grants for Fiscal Year 2026 to support smaller, new, or innovative programs that address specific needs within the community. These grants are designed to fill identified service gaps in the areas of Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security. The funding aligns with the goals established by United Way Worldwide, as well as the needs outlined in local Community Health Needs Assessments. Programs focused on community resiliency or basic needs are not part of this grant cycle and are funded through a separate application process.

The applications for the Impact Grant will be evaluated by a volunteer committee composed of community members. These reviewers will use a rubric to assess each application, taking into account available funding and any restrictions associated with the grant. The committee will focus on areas where organizations can create the most significant impact, contributing to meaningful outcomes for the individuals served in the Greater Fall River community.

Organizations interested in applying should review the United Way of Greater Fall River Impact Grant Handbook. This document contains important details, including application guidelines, goals aligned with United Way Worldwide, Racial Equity and Impact Strategies, the scoring rubric, and specific application questions. All applicants must ensure their proposals align with the funding priorities and the stated goals for this grant cycle.

The Impact Grant application period opens on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 8:00 AM and closes on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Late applications will not be considered. All submissions must be in PDF format. After the submission deadline, the United Way of Greater Fall River staff will review the documentation and may contact applicants for any clarifications or additional materials. The review and scoring of applications by the Impact Grant Committee will take place between March 5 and March 23, 2025.

Grant notifications will be released on Monday, April 21, 2025, and organizations selected for funding will need to submit signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) by Monday, April 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The funding period for successful applicants will begin on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Mid-year progress reports will be due on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM, and the final reports will be due by Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The total funding for the grant cycle concludes on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

For any questions about the application process or the timeline, applicants can contact United Way of Greater Fall River at liveunited@uwgfr.org.