Union Benevolent Association: Spring Direct Service Grant

The Union Benevolent Association is offering the Spring Direct Service Grant aimed at nonprofits serving Southwest Philadelphia. With a focus on improving the quality of life for vulnerable communities, grants up to $20,000 will be awarded to support essential needs such as food, shelter, and advocacy efforts. Eligible organizations must have an operating budget under $2 million and prioritize basic needs. This initiative reflects UBA's long-standing commitment to community support and strategic funding.

Funding Priorities
UBA’s funding priority will focus on Southwest Philadelphia for the 3-Year stated term
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 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. The annual direct-service grants to the same community in the spring of each year, and resource support to organizations in that community.
Funding
UBA’s Spring 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. We anticipate around six (6) grantee partners will be in the cohort.

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.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.

Ineligibility

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.