Funds to Improve Education of Neighbors facing Poverty in New York

The United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region (UWDOR) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for its Education Strategy initiative, which aims to improve education outcomes for individuals facing poverty and limited resources. This funding opportunity is designed to enhance academic achievement among youth and provide workforce development opportunities for adults within Dutchess and Orange counties. UWDOR seeks to invest in community partnerships with nonprofit organizations from July 2025 to June 2026, supporting programs that contribute to lifelong learning and success.

Through this RFP, United Way offers two funding categories: Previously funded programs can request up to $20,000, though typical awards are approximately $10,000. New programs that have not received past funding can apply for up to $10,000, with the potential for additional funding in the future if they remain in good standing with United Way's contract requirements. However, continued funding is not guaranteed.

Applications must align with UWDOR’s core funding criteria, which prioritize community-level outcomes focused on populations with the greatest need, cross-agency collaboration, and strategies based on evidence-based or evidence-informed models. Programs should focus on increasing opportunities for youth development and literacy services, ensuring that young participants develop positive behaviors and achieve reading proficiency at grade level. Additionally, programs should enhance access to workforce training to support long-term financial stability.

Applications will be evaluated based on program design (50 points), justification of need (20 points), and organizational infrastructure (30 points). Competitive applicants should demonstrate a strong ability to achieve community outcomes, incorporate effective collaboration, and implement evidence-based practices. Programs that rely on external organizations, such as school districts, must provide letters of commitment demonstrating their support. Only year-round programs (not seasonal) will be considered for funding.

The application deadline is March 14, 2025, at 5 PM, and award notifications are anticipated in June 2025. Applicants must submit proposals that articulate the need for their programs through data, outline a clear implementation strategy, and demonstrate organizational capacity to execute their initiatives successfully. UWDOR encourages applicants to submit questions to ci-inbox@uwdor.org, where responses will be provided within 48 business hours.