Grant Guidelines

Funding Priorities

Since 1831, UBA has supported organizations that assist and enrich the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Philadelphians. After a year of surveying nonprofit organizations in UBA’s community, engaging with other funders undergoing strategic planning, gathering insights and data from local leaders about high-need areas in Philadelphia, and meeting with previous grantees in these areas, UBA has developed a new strategy and set of principles to focus its work and impact.

UBA’s core principles that define our giving;

We support work that improves the quality of life of individuals
We support organizations that are led by the people in the communities
We support the organizations that work beyond direct services - advocacy, capacity, and mobilization

With these principles in mind, UBA is relaunching its grant priorities with a community place-based strategy. This strategy will include three-year general operating funding in the Fall of 2024 with the next Fall cycle opening in the Fall of 2027, annual direct-service grants to the same community in the spring of each year, and resource support to organizations in that community.

2025 FUNDING FOCUS

UBA’s 2024 - 2027 funding priority will focus on Southwest Philadelphia.

ELIGIBILITY

Nonprofits that are eligible to apply are those that:

are located in and are serving Southwest Philadelphia (19142,19143, 19153),
have an operating budget under 2 million,
and support basic needs while implementing advocacy efforts.

TIMELINE

UBA’s Fall Spring 2025 funding cycle will open the week of April 21st and will close May 19th 11:59 PM
Site visits may be conducted in June
Grants will be distributed by July 31st 2025

If you have accessibility needs, please contact Monique Curry-Mims, Executive Director at monique@ubaphilly.org.

IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM REQUEST AMOUNT?

UBA’s Spring 2025 funding cycle will provide one-year general operating grants up to $20,000 per year. Grant requests must not exceed 50% of your current operating budget.

HOW MANY GRANTEE PARTNERS WILL BE IN THE COHORT?

We anticipate around six (6) grantee partners will be in the cohort.

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR RESOURCE SUPPORT?

There is no application, UBA will work with nonprofits, partners, and internal team members to provide in-kind and nonmonetary support through workshops, guidance, and support to organizations to have a greater impact in that community.

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE SPRING DIRECT-SERVICE GRANTS?*

Grants will open in the Spring of each year providing funding for basic needs support - food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities including but not limited to:

Assistance in obtaining identification documents such as birth certificates and State Photo ID;
The provision of post office boxes for those who lack an address;
Hygiene products and other toiletries;
Utilities such as heat;
Essential human services.

*Please note fall multi-year grant recipients will not be eligible for spring direct-service grants. If you received an annual grant, while able to apply, priority will be given to nonprofits that have not been funded within the last year.

CAN I MEET WITH FOUNDATION STAFF TO DISCUSS MY ORGANIZATION/PROJECT?

If you have questions about organizational fit, UBA will conduct info sessions to review the application and answer any questions.

Please email monique@ubaphilly.org for any questions regarding your submission.

Application Instructions

To create a new account you will need to provide your email address and a password.

Once logged in, select “Apply,” to complete the application process.

During the application process you will need to scan and/or upload documentation. The “Fax to File” tool functions as a scanner. Select it and follow the instructions.

If you need help navigating, check out this short video tutorial.

Please direct all questions to info@ubaphilly.org.

What We Fund

Grant Guidelines

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Funding Priorities