Changemaker Grants

The Changemaker Grants program is offered by United Way of Greater New Bedford to support small, all-volunteer groups seeking to create positive change in Greater New Bedford communities. United Way states that it has provided small grants for more than 25 years and, since 1995, has funded 861 projects designed to build stronger connections between people and address important community needs. Examples of past activities include neighborhood cleanup programs, community gardens, and efforts to provide hygiene items for people experiencing homelessness. Applicants do not need to be established nonprofit organizations or have 501(c)(3) status. The program is intended to empower ordinary community members and volunteer groups to identify local needs and implement practical solutions. Changemaker Grant projects should be engaging, community driven, solutions-focused, and designed to foster unity through community action. Groups are encouraged to identify creative solutions to community problems, and projects should have the potential for long-term impact. With rare exceptions, projects should work toward one of four United Way focus areas: Healthy Community, which focuses on improving health and wellbeing for all; Youth Opportunity, which helps young people realize their full potential; Financial Security, which seeks a stronger financial future for every generation; or Community Resiliency, which addresses urgent needs today for a better tomorrow. Projects should raise awareness about an area of concern, engage citizens in addressing a community need, be innovative and achievable, and build community. Eligible applicants must be all-volunteer groups with annual budgets or income of 40000 dollars or less. A group may be established or newly formed but must consist of at least three people. Children and youth may form a group, provided that the group has at least one adult member. Friends of groups may qualify when they can demonstrate the need for the project and clearly distinguish the group and its work. Groups should not be committees or task forces of larger coalitions, initiatives, collaborations, projects, nonprofit organizations, or businesses. Eligible groups must have all-inclusive membership and missions and must be based in New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, or Wareham in Massachusetts. Projects must be specific, small in scale, supported by a realistic plan, and capable of completion within one year. Awards are available for up to 2500 dollars. All grant funds are provided on a reimbursement-only basis, and approved funds become available for reimbursement after grant agreements have been signed. The program does not fund salaries or stipends for group members, rent or utilities, nonessential food or food for sale, promotional items intended for fundraising, office equipment such as computers or printers, paid advertising, insurance, security, police or fire details, application or membership fees, scholarships, pageants, contests, school-based field trips, fundraising projects, or capital improvements. Funded projects and events must begin after the award decision and must be completed within one year. Reimbursement requests are submitted through the United Way CommunityForce platform during the funding cycle. For the Summer Changemaker Grants cycle, applications opened July 22, 2026 and must be submitted by 5 PM on August 17, 2026 through the CommunityForce platform. The source also states that applications are accepted at the beginning of each year and directs prospective applicants to check back in January for additional information, indicating that Changemaker Grants are offered on a recurring basis even though the currently published cycle is identified as the Summer Changemaker Grants. An informational Zoom session was advertised for July 29 at 5 PM, but attendance is presented as an opportunity to learn more rather than as a required application step. No required letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating stage is identified in the provided material. United Way emphasizes creative, achievable, community-driven projects that engage citizens, foster unity through action, and have potential for lasting impact. Groups that previously received funding from United Way of Greater New Bedford may submit a new application if their previous project has been completed and a final progress report has been submitted. In addition to grant funding, Changemaker groups may receive support through skill-building workshops, networking opportunities, and volunteer recruitment through Volunteer SouthCoast. For additional information about Changemaker Grants, applicants may contact Sarah Rose at srose@unitedwayofgnb.org or 508-994-9625, extension 218. The source does not provide a specific award notification date for the current cycle.

Attend the info session to ask questions and understand expectations. Use the CommunityForce platform for all submissions and reimbursements.