Partnership Grant Program 2027-2028

Ends on

Partnership Grant Program

Education & Mentorship Pillar - Now Open

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is now accepting applications for the Education & Mentorship pillar of our Partnership Grant Program.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations working to improve educational outcomes and provide meaningful mentorship opportunities for children and youth across our region.

Funding Overview

  • Award Amount: $100,000
  • Funding Type: General operating support
  • Grant Term: Two years

Education & Mentorship Focus Areas

  • Early learning and early childhood education
  • Childcare initiatives
  • Out-of-school-time and afterschool programs
  • Literacy and academic enrichment
  • Mentorship and youth development programs

Application Timeline

  • RFP Open: December 23, 2025
  • Application Deadline: February 28, 2026

About the Partnership Grant Program

The Partnership Grant Program is structured around four strategic pillars:

  1. Education & Mentorship
  2. Economic Mobility
  3. Jobs, Opportunities, & Entrepreneurship
  4. Benefits Access & Meeting Basic Needs

RFPs for the remaining pillars will be released on a staggered schedule throughout the fiscal year. In January, United Way will publish:

  • The full schedule for upcoming pillar RFPs
  • A series of informational webinars for organizations interested in the Education & Mentorship pillar

We encourage nonprofit partners to review the RFP and apply during the open application period.

To apply for a Partnership Grant Program grant, applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Tax exempt under IRS Section 501(c)3
  • Located in one of the following PA or NJ counties: Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland
  • Mission focused on alleviating poverty in the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region
  • Operate programs in and/or provide services to one or more of the following PA or NJ counties: Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland
  • Offer programs, services, or activities that align with our Education & Mentorship pillar (early learning, childcare, out-of-school-time, literacy, mentoring)
  • Offer services without regard to age, gender, race, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or presence of a disability

The following types of organizations are NOT eligible to apply:

  • Animal welfare organizations
  • Colleges and universities, unless the majority of their students are experiencing or at risk of experiencing poverty
  • Childcare centers, unless they also provide programming beyond childcare such as youth development and/or family support services
  • Hospitals
  • Libraries
  • Government and quasi-government agencies
  • K-12 schools, unless the school predominantly serves Opportunity Youth
  • Organizations headquartered outside of the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region (local chapters of national organizations can be considered if they raise more than half of their revenue locally)
  • Organizations that regrant funding
We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
Submit