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United Way of Berks County

Annual Giving
$17.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
1mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17,615,296 (FY 2024)
  • Total Assets: $35,232,578
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis (reviewed in order received)
  • Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Berks County, Pennsylvania
  • Agency Partners: 33 partner organizations, 80+ funded programs

Contact Details

Address: 25 North 2nd Street, Suite 101, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: 610-685-4555
Website: www.uwberks.org
Grant Technical Assistance: Amanda Hansen, Community Impact Program Manager
Email: amandah@uwberks.org
Phone: 610-685-4582

Overview

Founded in 1925 as The Welfare Federation of Reading and Berks County, United Way of Berks County has served the community for 100 years. The organization's mission is to improve lives by inspiring collaboration, volunteerism and financial support to build a stronger community. With total assets of over $35 million and annual revenue of $17.6 million (FY 2024), United Way helps 190,000 Berks County residents live stronger lives each year. Under President Tammy White's leadership (34 years with the organization), United Way has evolved from zero full-time staff in 1925 to approximately 30 full-time staff members today, while maintaining its commitment to addressing community needs through four key focus areas: Education, Financial Stability, Health, and Safety Net Services. The organization works closely with 33 Agency Partners, funding more than 80 programs throughout Berks County.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

LIVE UNITED Grants: Up to $5,000
One-time grants for grassroots or community-based organizations working on creative projects that bring people together to improve quality of life for Berks County residents. Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis. Eligible organizations must have budgets below $250,000.

Venture Grants: Up to $50,000
One-time funding for innovative projects addressing specific community issues. Supports new, expanded, or enhanced programs (not existing programs). Recent focus areas include Health Inequities/Social Determinants of Health and Workforce Development. Applications accepted during specific funding cycles.

Summer Learning Grants: Up to $5,000
Support for summer learning programming for Berks County students. Open to schools and organizations. Applications typically open in early January.

Rapid Response Grants: Variable amounts
Immediate funding for health and human service nonprofits experiencing unanticipated financial circumstances jeopardizing critical programs or facing significantly increased demand for services. Supports emergency shelter, food, transitional housing, healthcare access, and financial stability services.

Focused Grants: Multi-year grants
Multi-year funding addressing systemic issues in specific focus areas. Recent priorities include Workforce Development and Health. Applications accepted during specific cycles with announcements approximately 3-4 months after deadline.

Agency Partner Funding: Ongoing support
Long-term funding relationships with 33 partner organizations providing comprehensive health and human services programs across all four focus areas.

Priority Areas

  • Education: School-readiness activities, early literacy, tutoring programs, youth development, college and career preparation
  • Financial Stability: Job skills development, workforce training, employment assistance, financial capability programs
  • Health: Access to healthcare, mental health and substance abuse counseling, health equity initiatives
  • Safety Net Services: Emergency shelter, food assistance, transitional housing, legal services for low-income clients, disaster services, veteran services

Key Initiatives:

  • Ready.Set.READ! - Community literacy initiative focusing on pre-school language development, early grade tutoring, and parent engagement
  • 211 Information and Referral Service - 24/7 connection to health and human services
  • Leadership United - Community leadership development programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Deficits or debt reduction
  • Fundraising, religious, or political events
  • Attendance at conferences or workshops
  • Individual aid
  • Stand-alone, one-time events or large group presentations (for Venture Grants)
  • Existing programs without expansion or enhancement (for Venture Grants)

Additional Restrictions:

  • LIVE UNITED Grant funds cannot be used for the same program previously funded by a LIVE UNITED Grant
  • Organizations with budgets exceeding $250,000 are not eligible for LIVE UNITED Grants

Governance and Leadership

President: Tammy White (34 years with the organization)
Senior Vice President, Community Impact: Ashley Chambers
Senior Vice President, Leadership United: Jean Morrow
Community Impact Assistant Director: Kristin Gehris

Board of Directors: Approximately 40 board members oversee the organization's strategic direction and grant-making decisions.

Key Leadership Quotes:

Tammy White on United Way's impact: "What I quickly learned early on is what we do matters, and working for an organization that has such an incredible team of not only staff, but volunteers, is inspiring."

On community investment: "United Way is proud to work with community partners, donors and volunteers to improve lives and strengthen Berks County. A successful campaign translates into investing in crucial community programs to help our children be prepared for kindergarten and achieve academic success, to help individuals develop job skills for employment, empower families to become financially stable and help our most vulnerable neighbors with the most basic needs of food, shelter and safety. It's all about a commitment to doing right, right here."

On diversity in leadership: "We know that the community is stronger when there is a group of people that represent the community involved in planning and implementing what is needed."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant applications must be submitted electronically through the e-CImpact software system, accessed via United Way's website at www.uwberks.org.

Application Components:

  • Organization description including history, mission, and past accomplishments
  • Project description with detailed activities and fund usage
  • Measurement of project success and community impact
  • Demographic and budget information
  • 501(c)(3) IRS tax determination letter (or fiscal agent documentation)

For Venture Grants, additional requirements include:

  • Clear understanding of community issue and demonstrated need
  • Evidence of meaningful and ongoing participant engagement over extended periods
  • Program timeline
  • Collaborative partner information
  • Staff qualifications
  • Projected outcomes
  • One-year operating budget

Decision Timeline

LIVE UNITED Grants: Rolling basis - Applications reviewed in order received. Organizations can receive funding once per year.

Venture Grants: Specific funding cycles with defined deadlines (e.g., November 29 deadline with funding period beginning January 1). Historical timeline shows approximately 4-8 weeks from deadline to decision.

Focused Grants: Multi-month process (e.g., October 31 deadline with awards announced by February 1).

Summer Learning Grants: Applications typically open in early January with decisions made within weeks.

Review Process: Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of experienced community volunteers and approved by the United Way Board of Directors.

Success Rates

Limited specific data available. Historical examples:

  • 2022 LIVE UNITED Grants: 7 organizations awarded, totaling $34,500
  • 2021 LIVE UNITED Grants: 6 organizations awarded, totaling $27,500
  • 2022 Venture Grants: Multiple organizations awarded, totaling $171,903

Reapplication Policy

LIVE UNITED Grants: Previous recipients are eligible to apply; however, funds cannot be used for the same program previously funded. Organizations may receive funding once per year.

Venture Grants: Receipt of a Venture Grant does not entitle organizations to ongoing funding. Organizations must find other sources to continue programs after Venture Grant funding expires.

Agency Partner Status: Receipt of any grant does not automatically lead to Agency Partner status or guarantee ongoing funding.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Community Need

Applications are evaluated on "clear understanding of the community issue and demonstrated need." Successful applicants articulate specific problems facing Berks County residents with supporting data.

Alignment with Focus Areas

Priority given to programs addressing Education, Financial Stability, Health, or Safety Net Services. Recent Venture Grant cycles specifically prioritized Health Inequities/Social Determinants of Health and Workforce Development.

Meaningful Engagement Over Time

For Venture Grants, United Way prioritizes "programs that demonstrate meaningful and ongoing engagement with participants over an extended period of time, and that provide an opportunity for participants to apply new knowledge or skills to achieve the desired outcome." Stand-alone events are explicitly excluded.

Measurable Outcomes

Applications must describe "how project success will be measured and how it will impact the community." Successful applications include clear metrics and evaluation plans.

Collaboration

United Way values collaborative approaches. Applications are evaluated on "how well the project matches the grant's purpose and the use of collaboration to meet a goal." Grassroots organizations working with community partners are particularly encouraged.

Budget Appropriateness

Venture Grants are evaluated on "reasonableness and appropriateness of the budget." Demonstrate that requested funds align with proposed activities and expected outcomes.

Organizational Capacity

Applications are assessed on "demonstrated ability and capacity to ensure timely implementation and successful achievement of outcomes." Show your organization can deliver what you promise.

Recent Successful Projects (2022 LIVE UNITED Recipients)

  • 18th Wonder Improvement Association ($5,000): Community garden initiative providing affordable, healthy food options to 18th Ward neighborhoods
  • Girls on the Run of Berks County ($5,000): Healthy Snacks Team Allowance program supporting physical activity-based positive youth development
  • RIZE ($5,000): Solidarity through Art program conducting "rap sessions" with youth to address violence prevention and gender equity through art
  • Sisters Network Inc. Reading Chapter ($4,500): Expanding Sister Love Care Package Program and breast cancer awareness in the Black community
  • Western Berks Free Medical Clinic ($5,000): Media campaign to raise awareness of free medical services at clinic locations

Innovation and Creativity

LIVE UNITED Grants specifically seek "great ideas" and "creative projects." Don't be afraid to propose innovative approaches to community problems.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Grassroots organizations are explicitly encouraged - LIVE UNITED Grants target organizations with budgets below $250,000, making this an excellent opportunity for smaller nonprofits
  • Rolling applications for LIVE UNITED Grants - Apply anytime, but know that requests are reviewed in order received, so don't delay
  • Collaboration matters - United Way evaluates "use of collaboration to meet a goal" - partnerships strengthen applications
  • Show long-term engagement, not one-time events - Particularly for Venture Grants, demonstrate sustained participant involvement and skill-building opportunities
  • Use e-CImpact early - All applications require electronic submission through their system; contact Amanda Hansen (610-685-4582, amandah@uwberks.org) for technical assistance before deadlines
  • Match their language - United Way emphasizes helping people "live stronger lives" through Education, Financial Stability, Health, and Safety Net Services - align your proposal with these frameworks
  • Demonstrate community impact - President Tammy White's statement emphasizes "doing right, right here" - show concrete benefits for Berks County residents

References

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