Healthy Community Fund
Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford have partnered to strengthen support for local organizations working in the health and wellness sector.
Through this collaboration, both organizations will invest resources and make collaborative decisions to maximize the impact of their collective funding.
This partnership reflects a shared understanding that community health extends beyond clinical care. Factors such as housing stability, food access, economic opportunity, and environmental conditions all play a critical role in shaping health outcomes.
Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford aim to create a more unified, effective approach to funding health-focused nonprofits and advancing long-term community well-being across the region.
How to Apply
The Healthy Community Grant will accept Letters of Interest (LOI) from August 17 – September 28, 2026. Applicants selected to submit a Request for Proposal will be notified mid-October with more information about next steps.
Virtual information sessions will be hosted on August 19 and 20 at 5pm.
Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions.
Got a Question?
Additional questions may be directed to srose@unitedwayofgnb.org before the Letter of Interest deadline.
Focus Areas
Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford will focus their investment based on the Southcoast Health Alliance 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Focus areas include:
Socio-economic Factors
Income, poverty, education, & employment
Housing
Safe, stable and affordable housing; encompasses homelessness
Built Environment
Community infrastructure, transportation, green space, safety
Food Access and Security
Nutrition access and feeding the community
Access to Care
Availability, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare services.
Salud conductual
Mental health and substance use
Chronic Disease
Prevention, Management, and Education
Maternal and Child Health
Health and well-being of mothers and children
Overall Health
Encompassing quality of life and healthy lifestyles across the lifespan.
Grant Criteria
Requirements
Completed Letter of Interest
Completed Request for Proposal (by invitation)
Participation in interview and/ or site visit, if required
Grant Amount: Minimum: $10,000, Maximum: $25,000
Additional Questions
Additional questions may be directed to srose@unitedwayofgnb.org before the Letter of Interest deadline.
Eligibility
- Non-profits and public entities are eligible to apply for funding for one program.
- Only one application per organization, some exceptions may apply.
- Proposed programs must benefit Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford service areas.
- Proposals representing partnerships or collaborations are welcome.
- A clear backbone or lead fiscal agent must be identified and be responsible for monitoring and reporting on outcomes.
- Applicants may apply for up to one year of funding.
- If your organization is currently receiving Community Impact grant funding, you are eligible to submit a new application if you have completed all required reporting.
Scope of Application
- Proposals must directly align with the Southcoast Health Alliance 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (see above).
- Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford are seeking to support the most impactful programs that have existing infrastructure to track specific program success.
- Grants can be for a specific program or for operational support including funding to for staff salaries, associated benefits and taxes, supplies and materials for program, and other direct and indirect costs as reasonable for the success of the program.
- Grants for capital projects will not be considered.
Review Criteria
- Program Alignment with the Southcoast Health Alliance 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Applicants must aim to address at least one of the identified issue areas.
- Applicants must properly project how they will address an issue area and report on their successes in achieving their outcomes at the end of the grant period:
Quality of Program
Based on the projected number of beneficiaries achieving program indicator(s) and other supporting evidence, the applicant makes a clear case for the effectiveness of the program.
Partner credibility, leadership, and staff time
The applicant is credible and is willing to allot the appropriate amount of staff time (including leadership time) to achieve the application’s goals.
Evaluation & Program Improvement
The applicant has a plan to evaluate their program or service and use that information to continuously improve the program or service.
Budget
The budget is reasonable given the potential impact of the program. Furthermore, the funding is used appropriately and is an integral part of the budget.
Program Sustainability
The program has a track record of success in receiving grant funding. The funding for the program is diverse enough that sustainability of the program is not in question.
Financial Health of Organization
The applicant has a healthy financial position as assessed through their organizational budget, audit, and financial statements.
Preguntas frecuentes
The Healthy Community Partnership Fund is a collaborative grant program created by Southcoast Health and United Way of Greater New Bedford. The fund combines the resources and expertise of both organizations to support nonprofit programs that improve the health and well-being of residents throughout the South Coast region.
Our organizations share a belief that healthy communities require more than quality healthcare. Factors such as housing, food security, transportation, education, income, and behavioral health all influence health outcomes. By working together, we can make larger, more strategic investments and better support organizations addressing these community needs.
Eligible applicants include:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Public entities (such as municipalities, schools, or public agencies)
Programs must benefit residents within the Southcoast Health and/or United Way of Greater New Bedford service areas.
Generally, organizations may submit only one application. Limited exceptions may be considered for organizations operating distinctly different programs. Please contact United Way of Greater New Bedford before applying if you believe your organization qualifies for an exception.
Sí. Collaborative applications are encouraged. One organization must serve as the lead applicant (or fiscal agent) and be responsible for grant administration, reporting, and communication.
Organizations may request between $10,000 and $25,000 for a one-year grant period.
Funding may support:
- Existing programs
- Expansion of successful programs
- Operating support directly related to program delivery
- Personnel costs (salary, benefits, payroll taxes)
- Program supplies and materials
- Other reasonable direct and indirect costs necessary for program success
Capital campaigns, building projects, and major equipment purchases will not be funded.
No. Programs should demonstrate meaningful alignment with at least one priority identified in the South Coast Community Health Alliance (SoCHA) 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
Programs should address one or more of the following:
- Socio-economic factors
- Housing
- Built environment
- Food access and security
- Access to care
- Salud conductual
- Chronic disease
- Maternal and child health
- Overall health
Successful proposals generally:
- Clearly identify the community need.
- Explain how the program addresses that need.
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes.
- Show evidence that the program is effective.
- Present a realistic budget.
- Describe how the organization evaluates and improves its work.
- Demonstrate organizational and financial stability.
The Letter of Interest is limited to two pages and should include:
- A concise description of the program.
- How the program aligns with one or more CHNA priorities.
- The specific outcomes and performance indicators the organization will measure during the grant period.
The Letter of Interest is intended to help reviewers understand your program without requiring a full proposal.
LOIs are reviewed for alignment with the funding priorities, program quality, organizational readiness, and potential community impact. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full Request for Proposal.
No. Because funding is limited, only selected applicants will be invited to complete a full proposal.
Some applicants, particularly new applicants or organizations requesting clarification, may be invited to participate in an interview or site visit as part of the review process.
Organizations should select outcomes that are meaningful for their program and demonstrate change in the lives of participants — not simply the number of people served.
Examples include:
- Increased access to healthcare
- Improved food security
- Housing stability
- Improved mental health
- Increased employment or income
- Reduced social isolation
- Improved child development
- Increased recovery supports
Sí. Quantitative data are essential, but personal stories, participant testimonials, and photographs (with appropriate permission) help illustrate the impact behind the numbers.
Grantees will submit:
- One mid-year report
- One final report
Reports will include participant demographics, outcome data, financial reporting, lessons learned, challenges encountered, and stories of impact.
Sí. Organizations currently receiving Community Impact funding may apply provided all required grant reports have been submitted.
Absolutely. Both current and first-time applicants are encouraged to apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.
All Letters of Interest and invited proposals must be submitted through the CommunityForce online grant portal.
Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions on August 19 or August 20 at 5:00 p.m. Additional questions may be directed to srose@unitedwayofgnb.org before the Letter of Interest deadline.
