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United Way of New York City

Annual Giving
$63.4M
Grant Range
$50K - $3.0M

United Way of New York City

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $63,437,874 (2024)
  • Number of Awards: 185 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: New York City (five boroughs)
  • EIN: 13-2617681
  • Partner Network: 650+ community-based organizations

Contact Details

Website: https://unitedwaynyc.org/

Procurement Inquiries: procurement@uwnyc.org

General: Information available through website contact form

Overview

United Way of New York City is a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income New Yorkers make ends meet and lead self-sufficient lives. The organization distributes substantial grant funding—$63.4 million in 185 grants in 2024—through strategic partnerships with over 650 community-based organizations across all five boroughs. Under the leadership of President and CEO Grace C. Bonilla, the first Latina to lead the organization, UWNYC has focused its grantmaking on creating lasting impact through four priority pillars: health equity, education equity, mental health for systems-involved individuals, and food and benefits access. The organization channels resources by "uniting government, private, and public partners in support of community-driven solutions," positioning itself as a bridge between funders and frontline service providers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)

  • Funded by New York State Department of Health
  • Supports 380+ emergency food programs
  • Provides annual food and operations support grants to Emergency Food Pantries and soup kitchens
  • Capacity building support includes reimbursement of operational costs and equipment grants

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

  • Federal grant program administered by UWNYC
  • Supports emergency food, shelter, rental and utility arrears assistance
  • Organizations selected by NYC EFSP Local Board

Emergency Assistance and Community Needs (EACN) Fund

  • Emergency response funding for urgent community needs
  • Recent example: $750,000+ distributed for asylum seeker support
  • Competitive grants of $50,000 awarded to grassroots community organizations
  • Rolling activation based on emergency situations

Atlas Workforce Program

  • $1.5 million partnership grant with The Fortune Society (May 2024)
  • Community violence intervention for adult men at highest risk
  • Transitional employment and wraparound services
  • Funded through NYC Department of Youth and Community Development

Atlas HOPE Initiative

  • $3 million investment launched recently
  • Serves men at highest risk of engaging in community violence
  • Addresses persistent patterns of rearrest
  • Provides housing, employment, and healthcare support

Choose Healthy Life Partnership

  • Multi-million dollar health equity initiative
  • Church-based health navigation in Black communities
  • Serves 30 churches across New York City and State
  • Provides health screenings, vaccinations, and wellness programs

Neighborhood Histories Plaque Project

  • Cultural heritage documentation initiative
  • Identifies and elevates culturally significant sites in marginalized neighborhoods
  • Partners coordinate citywide community engagement

Priority Areas

UWNYC focuses on four strategic pillars:

  1. Health Equity: Addressing root causes of health disparities in Black and Brown communities through programs like Choose Healthy Life; expanding access to screenings, vaccinations, and preventative care

  2. Education Equity: Supporting child literacy initiatives and educational programs that promote economic mobility

  3. Justice & Opportunity: Criminal justice reform initiatives including community violence intervention, reentry support, and addressing cycles of trauma and incarceration

  4. Food & Benefits Access: Operating the largest network of emergency food programs in NYC; connecting low-income New Yorkers to SNAP and other public benefits; ensuring dignified access to nutritious food

As Grace Bonilla explains, "The mission has always been steady: we want New Yorkers to thrive. What has changed is the needs of New Yorkers, and we have been at the forefront of addressing both emerging and longstanding policy needs."

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, UWNYC's grantmaking is strategically focused on the four pillars above. The organization operates primarily through programmatic partnerships rather than open general operating grants to all organizations.

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Grace C. Bonilla

Grace Bonilla is the first Latina President and CEO of United Way of New York City. As a lifelong New Yorker, her work "has always been about channeling the full force of this city by uniting government, private, and public partners in support of community-driven solutions." She serves on multiple city commissions including the Race Equity Advisory Board and co-chairs Mayor-elect Mamdani's Transition Committee.

On the organization's approach to dignity, Bonilla stated: "Dignity means that our neighbors get food that's nutritious to them," reflecting the organization's evolved, equity-focused approach to service delivery.

Board Co-Chair: Samir Gandhi, Partner and Global Practice Lead for Capital Markets Group at Sidley Austin LLP

Board Members (Selected appointments from November 2024):

  • Chris Canty, ESPN Radio Host & New York Giants Alumni
  • Laurinda Martins, Partner at Fried Frank
  • Christine Sobhani, Senior Partner at Kingsley Gate
  • Kate Woolley, IBM Ecosystem General Manager
  • Carolyn Bidwell, Brookfield Asset Management
  • Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, Ph.D., Chancellor, City University of New York
  • Tynnetta McIntosh, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • Anish Melwani, LVMH North America
  • Yesenia Scheker Izquierdo, KPMG LLP
  • Karyn L. Twaronite, Ernst & Young LLP

The board includes senior leaders from major financial, legal, and corporate institutions, reflecting UWNYC's role as a connector between the private sector and community organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: United Way of New York City does not have an open, rolling public application process for general grants. Most grants are awarded through:

  1. Invitation-Only Partnerships: For major program initiatives like Atlas and Choose Healthy Life, UWNYC identifies and selects partner organizations based on program criteria and organizational capacity

  2. Request for Proposals (RFPs): UWNYC periodically issues specific RFPs for particular programs or initiatives. All RFPs are posted at unitedwaynyc.org/procurement-bid-opportunities/

  3. Emergency Assistance and Community Needs (EACN) Fund: Organizations do NOT apply for EACN Fund grants. UWNYC identifies and selects partners that meet eligibility criteria to ensure rapid response to emergencies

  4. State/Federal Programs: For programs like HPNAP and EFSP, UWNYC administers grants on behalf of government funders, with selection processes governed by those funding sources

Current RFP (as of research date):

  • Neighborhood Histories Plaque Project: Deadline January 12, 2026; partners invited to coordinate citywide efforts documenting culturally significant sites

To Stay Informed:

  • Sign up for notifications at unitedwaynyc.org/procurement-bid-opportunities/
  • Contact procurement@uwnyc.org with questions about upcoming opportunities

Procurement Principles: UWNYC emphasizes "promoting fair and open competition," procuring "high-quality products and services on schedule," and meeting community needs through "culturally relevant, equity-focused services and programming."

Getting on Their Radar

Network Affiliation: UWNYC works with 650+ community-based organizations across NYC. Organizations already providing services in UWNYC's priority areas (health equity, education, justice & opportunity, food access) are more likely to be considered for partnerships.

Government Partnerships: Many of UWNYC's grants are tied to government funding streams (NYC DYCD, NYS Department of Health, federal HRSA grants). Organizations with strong government relationships or capacity to manage government-funded programs align well with UWNYC's model.

Eligibility Baseline: Based on EACN Fund criteria, UWNYC typically requires partners to be registered 501(c)(3) organizations with at least two years in operation, in good standing with an active Board of Directors, current insurance coverage (general business, workers' compensation), and current on financial reporting.

Program-Specific Fit: Recent partnerships show UWNYC favors organizations with:

  • Deep community roots and cultural competence (grassroots CBOs)
  • Specialized expertise in specific populations (e.g., The Fortune Society's criminal justice focus)
  • Capacity for community engagement and trust-building
  • Ability to deliver "culturally relevant, equity-focused services"

Strategic Relationships: UWNYC positions itself as a convener of "government, private, and public partners." Building relationships with UWNYC staff at sector events, through government partnership channels, or via introductions from existing partner organizations may increase visibility.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary significantly by program:

  • Emergency response grants (EACN Fund): Rapid deployment during crises, with identification and funding happening within weeks
  • RFP-based opportunities: Timelines specified in each RFP (reference example from other United Way chapters: typically 1-2 months from submission deadline to award notification)
  • Major program partnerships: Longer lead times involving strategic planning, often developed over months in partnership with government funders

Notification methods are not publicly specified but likely include direct email/phone contact to awarded organizations.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the organization made 185 awards in 2024 (down from 232 in 2023), suggesting a selective grantmaking approach focused on strategic partnerships rather than broad distribution of small grants.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Given the invitation-only and RFP-based nature of most grants, reapplication depends on when new opportunities in an organization's area of work are announced.

Application Success Factors

Since UWNYC operates primarily through strategic partnerships and invitation-based grantmaking rather than competitive open applications, success factors focus on organizational positioning:

1. Alignment with Strategic Pillars

Grace Bonilla emphasizes UWNYC is "committed to the four pillars that we believe can really make New Yorkers thrive, which is health equity, education equity, mental health for those that are systems involved, and our food and benefits program." Organizations must demonstrate clear alignment with at least one pillar.

2. Equity-Focused and Culturally Relevant Programming

UWNYC explicitly seeks "culturally relevant, equity-focused services and programming." Recent partnerships prioritize:

  • Serving Black and Brown communities facing systemic disparities
  • Community-driven solutions with authentic community engagement
  • Programs led by people with lived experience (e.g., Fortune Society's model)

As Bonilla states: "This is a true opportunity to build a more just and equitable city where every New Yorker can see themselves in the fabric of the city, know they belong and that the barriers that could rob them of their agency are acknowledged and they are being dismantled."

3. Operational Capacity and Financial Stability

Minimum requirements include:

  • 501(c)(3) status with at least 2 years operation
  • Active Board of Directors
  • Current insurance coverage
  • Up-to-date financial reporting

For larger partnerships, capacity to manage substantial government-funded programs is essential.

4. Partnership Orientation

UWNYC sees itself as a "convener" bringing together multiple sectors. Organizations that can collaborate with government agencies, demonstrate partnership experience, and work within multi-stakeholder initiatives are favored. The Atlas partnership with Fortune Society and NYC DYCD exemplifies this collaborative model.

5. Evidence of Community Trust

The Choose Healthy Life program demonstrates UWNYC's emphasis on trusted community institutions. Organizations with established community presence, cultural competence, and deep relationships in the neighborhoods they serve are prioritized.

6. Focus on Systems Change

Under Bonilla's leadership, UWNYC aims to "drive lasting, systemic change." Applications that demonstrate impact on root causes rather than only providing services—such as the Atlas program addressing "persistent patterns of rearrest"—align with organizational priorities.

7. Responsiveness to Emerging Needs

Recent EACN Fund deployment for asylum seeker support shows UWNYC's agility. Organizations that can rapidly scale to meet urgent community needs while maintaining quality may be tapped for emergency funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strategic positioning is more important than a strong application: UWNYC primarily works through invitation and strategic partnerships. Focus on building organizational capacity, government relationships, and visibility in your sector rather than waiting for open RFPs

  • Government funding partnerships are key: Many UWNYC grants flow from city, state, and federal sources. Organizations with capacity to manage government-funded programs and existing relationships with agencies like NYC DYCD are well-positioned

  • Equity lens is non-negotiable: Every communication and program description must demonstrate commitment to equity, cultural relevance, and community-driven solutions. Use language about "systemic barriers," "dignity," and "agency"

  • Monitor the procurement page: While opportunities are limited, sign up for notifications at unitedwaynyc.org/procurement-bid-opportunities/ to catch RFPs as they emerge

  • Think partnership, not grant: Position your organization as a potential collaborator in UWNYC's convening role—emphasize your ability to work with government, corporate partners, and other nonprofits rather than just seeking funding

  • Align with current priorities: The four pillars (health equity, education equity, justice & opportunity, food & benefits access) define everything. If your work doesn't clearly fit one of these areas, UWNYC funding is unlikely

  • Build for the long term: With 650+ organizations in their network, UWNYC favors established relationships. Engage with their programs, attend their events, and demonstrate your organization's value over time rather than approaching cold with a funding request

References

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