United Way of Berks County utilizes Venture Grants to provide onetime funding opportunities in support of innovative projects or programs that address a specific community issue(s) that is identified based on community need.
Donor Name: United Way of Berks County
State: Pennsylvania
County: Berks County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/29/2022
Size of the Grant: $50,000
Grant Duration: 12 months
Details:
Applications this year should address:
- Health Inequities/Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
- Workforce Development
Health Inequities/Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
While Health Inequities have long existed in their country, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought these issues to the forefront. Lower, socio-economic black and brown communities were often hit the hardest – with the most reported cases and COVID-related deaths. People of color often “live in crowded conditions, to work in service jobs that put them in close proximity to others, to have to go to work because they can’t afford to miss it, to take public transportation, and to
lack access to protective gear at work” (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).
Proposed programs addressing one or more of following issues are highly desirable:
- Digital Divide
- Food insecurity and access to healthy food
- Identifying developmental delays in children
- Increased drug and alcohol issues due to the pandemic
- Lack of cultural competence in providers
- Mental Health
- Safe, affordable housing
- Violence Prevention
- Barriers that make healthcare access challenging including childcare, education, language, providers’ hours of operation and transportation
Workforce Development
“Now Hiring” signs continue to blanket Berks County. Nation-wide there are more jobs available than candidates looking for work. To attract job applicants, employers are changing hiring practices by eliminating barriers like drug screens and high school diploma requirements while offering increased starting hourly wages. The changes made by employers have not resulted in the desired outcome and the demand for employees remains high.
Proposed programs addressing one or more of the following workforce development challenges are highly desirable:
- Aging Population and Workforce
- Disconnected Young Adults
- A More Inclusive Workforce
- Low Adult Literacy and Numeracy
- COVID-19 Impacts on Women
Award Amount
A maximum grant of up to $50,000 may be requested, with United Way reserving the option to award a lesser amount based on demonstrated need and available resources.
Funding Period
January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023. Funds must be spent within a 12-month period after the grant is awarded. A final report will be due at the end of the 12-month period
Eligibility Criteria
- Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing health and human services to Berks County residents is eligible to apply.
- Grants must support the delivery of new, expanded or enhanced programs and cannot simply fund existing programs.
- Priority will be given to 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, one-time events or large group presentations will NOT be eligible for consideration.
For more information, visit Venture Grants.
