United Way of RI Now Accepting Applications for Nonprofit Funding

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United Way of RI Now Accepting Applications for Nonprofit Funding

United Way of RI will accept funding applications from now until Thursday, April 3.
United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) has announced it is now accepting applications for funding through its Merger and Shared Services Fund, committing $135,000 to help nonprofit organizations share administrative and fundraising functions. The deadline to submit a funding application is 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2014.

Since the inception of the Merger and Shared Services Fund in 2008, UWRI has awarded nearly $1 million in grants for a wide-range of collaborations and projects. Funds have been used to consolidate fundraising functions, provide help with consulting fees and outplacement services, and support the integration of technology.

“It’s no secret that Rhode Island’s nonprofit community is working hard to provide more services with fewer resources—a challenge made more difficult by the level of need in our communities,” said Anthony Maione, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “Though there’s more work to be done, we’re proud of the successes this Fund has made possible to help nonprofits join forces and streamline their services, which in turn, strengthens their capabilities to help more people.”

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Success stories

One success of the program was the merger of the International Institute of Rhode Island and Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center. In 2013, the two organizations became Dorcas International Institute, thanks in part to a $25,000 Merger and Shared Services Fund grant from UWRI. In merging, the two organizations—which separately focused on meeting the needs of immigrants and refugees, and helping low-income adults become self-sufficient through literacy and employment opportunities—have enhanced their services to better address the challenges Rhode Island faces in its current and future workforce.

“Although we are still continuing with integration, the most immediate benefit of the merger has been an increase in both the breadth and depth of our service capacity,” explained Kathleen Cloutier, Executive Director of Dorcas International Institute. “We are now able to more holistically meet the education and employment needs of our clients through a full continuum of education offerings while integrating a range of employer supports and intensive case management that has proven essential to the success of our students. The ultimate benefit is a better prepared workforce in our community.”

Application requirements

The Merger and Shared Services Fund is open to applicants from two or more human services organizations with non-profit status in Rhode Island, who are planning to consolidate administrative functions and/or to enter into a merger, shared services agreement or collaboration. Applications must include a detailed description of how partner organizations will collaborate, an itemization of action steps with a timetable, projected 3-year outcomes, and a detailed budget.

Additional information and requirements may be found at www.uwri.org. Special consideration will be given to organizations whose missions align with UWRI’s focus areas of education, income, housing, and safety net. Grants will be announced by May 31, 2014.

For more information regarding the Merger and Shared Services Fund, contact Kerstin Klebbe, Income & Community Grants Manager at United Way of Rhode Island, at (401) 444-0625 or via email at [email protected]. For more information about UWRI, visit www.LIVEUNITEDri.org.


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