United Way of Berks County LIVE UNiTED Grant

The United Way of Berks County offers the LIVE UNITED Grant to support grassroots, community-based, and collaborative projects that creatively address neighborhood and community challenges in Berks County, Pennsylvania. This grant opportunity stems from the belief that united efforts can bring about meaningful and sustainable changes that benefit the community. It emphasizes the power of collective action to foster improvement in quality of life through innovative and locally focused solutions. LIVE UNITED Grants are designed as one-time awards, up to $5,000, for organizations presenting promising, impactful ideas. Eligible projects may be either one-time or ongoing and must align with one of four core focus areas: Education, Financial Stability, Health, and Safety Net Services. Each of these focus areas includes specific issue areas, such as literacy, affordable housing, mental health, and basic needs. The grant encourages proposals that engage volunteers, enhance community connections, celebrate diversity, and support grassroots change. To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations or community groups using a fiscal agent, with an annual budget under $250,000. Collaborating partners must also meet this budget requirement. Organizations that previously received a LIVE UNITED Grant can reapply, provided they seek funding for a different project. However, receiving this grant does not guarantee ongoing funding or agency partner status with the United Way of Berks County. Applications must be submitted through the e-CImpact platform and include detailed organizational and project information, including history, mission, goals, budget, and anticipated impact. Applicants must also submit a 501(c)(3) determination letter. The evaluation process considers how well the project aligns with the grant’s purpose, the collaborative nature of the initiative, feasibility within the proposed budget and timeline, and the program’s ability to address community disparities. The grant operates on a quarterly cycle in 2025, with deadlines in February, May, August, and November, and corresponding notification dates the following month. Funds must be expended within 12 months of the award, and a final report detailing outcomes, demographics, budget data, and photos must be submitted in February following the end of the funding period. For support, Amanda Hansen handles technical issues related to e-CImpact and can be contacted at 610-685-4582 or amandah@uwberks.org. For grant-specific inquiries, Kristin Gehris is the contact at 610-685-4567 or kristing@uwberks.org.