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United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M

United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $715,500 - $880,000 in community funding
  • Geographic Focus: Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties, Vermont
  • Funding Cycle: Three-year unrestricted grants
  • Grant Range: Varies by program ($10,400 - $31,000 for prevention grants)
  • Application Method: Multi-year cycle; not currently accepting new applications
  • IRS Classification: 501(c)(3)

Contact Details

Address: 412 Farrell Street, Suite 200, South Burlington, VT 05403

Phone: 802-864-7541

Email: info@unitedwaynwvt.org

Website: https://unitedwaynwvt.org

Helpline: Dial 2-1-1 (Vermont 2-1-1 statewide confidential information and referral service)

Overview

United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc (EIN: 03-0217229) is a community-focused grant-making organization serving Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties. The organization has adopted a trust-based philanthropy model, providing multi-year unrestricted funding to partner organizations. In 2025, United Way distributed $715,500 to 28 organizations in year two of a three-year grant cycle. The organization has earned a Four-Star rating (97%) from Charity Navigator. According to their most recent Form 990 (fiscal year ending March 2024), United Way had total revenue of $4.67 million and total assets of $5.79 million. Their funding model demonstrates impressive leverage, generating $3.15 for every $1 given through their Community Campaign. United Way operates Common Good Vermont as a program, strengthening the nonprofit sector throughout Vermont through training, advocacy, and capacity building.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Partner Funding: $715,500 (2025) to 28 organizations

  • Three-year unrestricted grant cycle
  • Year 2 of current cycle underway
  • Funding amounts vary by organization and program scope
  • Previous years: $748,000 to 30 organizations (2024); $880,000 to 32 organizations (2023)

Substance Misuse Prevention Subgrants: $372,000 (2024) to 19 organizations

  • Grant Range: $10,400 - $31,000
  • Funded through Vermont Department of Health Division of Substance Use Programs
  • Serves Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Washington Counties
  • Supports youth empowerment, mentoring, community education, peer recovery coaching, case management, and afterschool activities

Priority Areas - Five Key Strategies

  1. Meeting Basic Needs: Housing, food, transportation
  2. Supporting Families: Parenting support, early childhood services
  3. Promoting Mental Health: Mental health services for all ages
  4. Reducing Substance Misuse: Prevention, recovery, and wellness support programs
  5. Fostering Financial Stability: Financial assistance and stability services

Organizations must address one or more of these strategies and serve people in the eligible counties.

Special Populations Served

  • Youth and families
  • Older adults
  • People with disabilities
  • Immigrants and refugees
  • BIPOC communities
  • LGBTQ+ individuals
  • People experiencing homelessness

What They Don't Fund

United Way does not explicitly publish exclusions, but organizations must serve populations in Chittenden, Franklin, and/or Grand Isle counties (or Washington County for prevention grants) and align with their five key strategies.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jesse Bridges - CEO

  • Background in Parks, Recreation & Waterfront for Burlington; UVM Athletics (10 years)
  • Master's in Public Administration from UVM (2008)
  • States: "United Way sits at the intersection of government, businesses, nonprofits, and community, because that's where change happens. Change happens when local people come together to focus on local solutions."

Amy Carmola - Chief Impact Officer

  • Doctoral degree from UVM in lifespan development and community psychology
  • Joined United Way in 2003

Jessica Lasher - Chief Financial Officer

  • Over 20 years in finance, audit, and treasury operations
  • Former Director of Financial Operations at VEIC
  • Licensed CPA; Champlain College graduate

Hannah Burnett - Chief Development Officer

Board Leadership (2024)

Rick Blount - Board Chair

  • Longtime nonprofit fundraising professional
  • Currently works as a consultant with Gade Associates

Adrina Walker, Ed.S - Vice Chair

  • Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at The University of Vermont Health Network
  • Named one of the 10 Most Influential HR Executives to Watch in 2024

Katie Titterton - Secretary

John St. Hilaire - Treasurer

Recent Board Members (Added 2024)

  • Jerry Carter (Milton): Business lawyer at Moody Advisors PLLC
  • Liz Gamache (St. Albans): President and CEO of Lund
  • Julia Guy (Burlington): Associate Director of Leadership Giving at University of Vermont Foundation
  • Heidi Stumpff (Shelburne): M&T Bank's Regional President of Vermont

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: United Way is currently in year two of a three-year funding cycle and is not accepting new applications for community partner funding at this time.

For organizations interested in future funding opportunities:

  1. Visit the Community Funding page at https://unitedwaynwvt.org/community-impact/community-funding/
  2. Fill out the inquiry form expressing interest
  3. Ensure your organization serves people in Chittenden, Franklin, and/or Grand Isle counties
  4. Confirm alignment with one or more of United Way's five key strategies

Application Process (When Available)

  1. Letter of Interest: Organizations submit initial letters of interest
  2. Invitation to Apply: Selected organizations are invited to submit full applications based on funding and selection criteria
  3. Volunteer Review: Partner Funding Team (citizen volunteers from the service area) reviews applications
  4. Site Visits: Volunteer team visits with applicants and monitors program performance
  5. Community Investment Committee: Oversees all investments
  6. Board Approval: Final approval by Board of Directors

Alternative Funding Opportunities

Organizations seeking current funding opportunities should visit Common Good Vermont (a program of United Way) to access their list of current grant opportunities available across Vermont.

For Substance Misuse Prevention grants, United Way periodically issues Notices of Funding Opportunity when funds are available from the Vermont Department of Health.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made on a multi-year cycle basis. Grants are awarded for three-year periods, providing long-term stability to partner organizations. Specific timelines vary by funding opportunity.

Application Success Factors

Trust-Based Philanthropy Approach

United Way has committed to trust-based grantmaking practices, joining 135+ grantmaking organizations aligned with the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. This means:

  • Multi-year unrestricted funding allows organizations maximum flexibility to respond to community needs
  • Streamlined paperwork reduces administrative burden on grant recipients
  • Transparency and responsiveness through direct communication
  • Feedback integration - United Way actively solicits and acts on partner input
  • Relationship-focused support - Volunteers meet with organizations to listen and build connections

According to Milton Family Community Center's Executive Director: "Unrestricted funding from United Way allows us to be as adaptable and flexible as we need to be with what we offer."

What United Way Values

Based on their funding patterns and leadership statements:

  1. Community-driven solutions: Local organizations addressing local needs
  2. Alignment with key strategies: Clear connection to one or more of their five priority areas
  3. Service to eligible counties: Must serve people in Chittenden, Franklin, and/or Grand Isle counties
  4. Meeting interconnected needs: Organizations that address multiple community challenges
  5. Inclusion and equity: Focus on serving diverse populations including BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and refugees
  6. Community collaboration: Organizations working in partnership with others

Examples of Funded Organizations (2024)

Partner organizations include:

  • AALV Inc.
  • Age Well
  • ANEW Place
  • Boys & Girls Club of Burlington
  • Burlington Housing Authority
  • Champlain Community Services
  • Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS)
  • Howard Center
  • King Street Center
  • Lund
  • Martha's Community Kitchen
  • Northwestern Counseling & Support Services
  • Pathways Vermont
  • Spectrum Youth and Family Services
  • Turning Point Center
  • Plus 15 additional organizations

Key Quote from Leadership

Megan Bridges, Director of Partner & Volunteer Engagement: "I'm inspired every day by how our community continues to show up for each other to build a better tomorrow."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is critical: United Way operates on three-year funding cycles. When not in an active funding cycle, submit an inquiry form to be considered for future opportunities.

  • Unrestricted funding model: This is not typical project-based funding. United Way provides flexible, multi-year support that organizations can use where most needed.

  • Geographic eligibility is strict: Organizations must serve people in Chittenden, Franklin, and/or Grand Isle counties for community funding (Washington County eligible for prevention grants).

  • Alignment with five key strategies is essential: Every funded organization addresses at least one of the five priority areas - basic needs, families, mental health, substance misuse, or financial stability.

  • Community-driven review process: Citizen volunteers from the service area review applications and visit with partners, so local credibility matters.

  • Relationship-building is valued: Even if not currently in a funding cycle, connecting with United Way through volunteer opportunities or information sessions can build relationships for future applications.

  • Check Common Good Vermont: Organizations should regularly check Common Good Vermont (a United Way program) for other grant opportunities available in Vermont.

  • Leverage ratio matters: United Way's model generates $3.15 for every $1 contributed, suggesting they value organizations that can demonstrate collaborative funding and community support.

References

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