Community Impact Grants

Welcome to our Community Impact Page!
Here you'll learn more about how United Way of Rutland County's Grant allocation process works and how your local non-profits benefit from this community-based need funding opportunity.
What is a Community Impact Grant?
Are you a 501c3 Non-Profit serving Rutland County?
If the answer is yes, congrats! You are eligible to apply for a Community Impact Grant!
How and When Do I Apply?
2025-26 Community Impact Grants
Letters of Intent due May 16, 2025 (Please see the links below for required documents.)

Check out our 2024-25 Community Impact Grantees!

What is a Community Impact Grant?

United Way of Rutland County raises funds on an annual cycle to invest into programs that help to address the most critical areas of need in our community. Our board and staff of UWRC work closely with local partners to make informed decisions relative to where funds can have the biggest impact, with an overall focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Community Impact Grant application process is the main system for distributing these funds!

At United Way of Rutland County, we invest in our local organizations. All of the funds we raise in Rutland County, stay in Rutland County.

All Rutland County nonprofit (501c3) agencies are invited to submit proposals for projects or programs that will address issues within one or more of United Way of Rutland County’s Community Impact focus areas: Health, Education, and Financial Stability. Community Impact Committee members consist of local volunteers with backgrounds in our three pillars of focus that are actively involved in the Rutland Community. Our committees carefully review applications alongside our board of directors to determine grantees through a collaborative decision-making process. Once funding is awarded, the UWRC team thoughtfully works with grantees to promote program success and serves as a resource to ensure program implementation!

At United Way of Rutland County, we understand the nature of today’s grant processes. We recognize that our local non-profits rely on grant funding for many of their projects and programs that directly serve our Rutland community members most in need. Grant processes can often be complex, time consuming, confusing, require strict parameters to qualify, and have long waiting periods when it comes to funding timelines.

Grant Support for Rutland County Nonprofits

Our grant process is designed to be clear, inclusive, and focused on supporting the vital work of local 501(c)(3) organizations.

If you are a qualified nonprofit based in Rutland County and interested in applying for a grant, you can view our training presentation here, or email us at [email protected] to schedule a virtual Q&A session.

2024-25 Final Report – Bennington

*If using the downloaded version, please email [email protected].

The Application Process: How and when to apply?

To be considered for a Community Impact Grant, all organizations must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). LOIs are due no later than May 19th and can be submitted via Google Form or downloadable document.

Once submitted, LOIs will be reviewed by our Community Impact Grant committee(s). Selected organizations will then be invited to complete either a full- or mini-grant application. Only agencies that have submitted an LOI AND received an invitation will be eligible to apply.

Application deadlines are outlined in the timeline below.

Application Timeline

May 12, 2025

Virtual Q&A Information Session begins, by request only

May 19, 2025

Deadline to submit Letter of Intent

May 21, 2025

Agencies invited to submit Proposals will be contacted (by 5pm EST)

June 6, 2025

Deadline to submit Proposal Application

June 9 – June 27, 2025

Proposal application review meetings by Community Impact Committee(s). Agencies may be invited to discuss proposals as needed.

Week of July 7, 2025

UWRC Board of Directors reviews recommendations from Community Impact Committee(s) and votes to award grants.

July 14, 2025

2025 Grant Awards Announced

Funding and Reporting Timeline

July 1, 2025

2025 grant cycle program year begins

August 31, 2025

Distribution deadline for first 50% of grant award funds*

December 31, 2025

Distribution deadline for second 50% of grant award funds**

March 30, 2026

Deadline to submit final report***

June 30, 2026

2025 Grant cycle program year ends

*agencies of Bennington County are only eligible for mini-grants (<$3,000)

**funding distribution deadlines are approximate and cannot be guaranteed

***agencies should report results to date and if they anticipate any concerns meeting the program goals by June 30 based on those results

2025-26 Rutland County Application

Grant requests of more than $3000:

Grant requests of $3000 or less:

Community Impact Grants Archive

Compilation of 2024 Grantee logos

2024-25 Grantees/Community Grant Partners

Learn more about our 2024 Community Grant Partners.

Timeline for the Rutland County 2024-25 Community Impact Grants Cycle

(For 2024-25 Grant Year Recipients ONLY)

Materials below are for the 2024-25 Community Impact Grant Cycle. These materials are for reference only. The 2024-25 grant application window is closed.

Timeline of the 2024-25 Bennington Community Impact Grant Cycle (Mini grants only)

Materials below are for the 2024-25 Bennington Community Impact Grant Cycle. These materials are for reference only. The 2024-25 grant application window is closed.

Bennington application materials