United Way of Northwest Vermont (UWNWVT) recently reaffirmed its commitment to trust-based funding values and announced that it will continue providing local organizations with flexible, multi-year funding and support as Vermont nonprofits navigate an uncertain federal landscape.

In 2025, a portfolio of 28 organizations will receive $715,500 from United Way in community funding for year two of a three-year grant cycle. This portfolio of organizations is meeting an array of interconnected needs in our community.

“Our United Way has been leaning into trust-based philanthropy for several years now. We know organizations serving our community can make a bigger impact when they have sustainable, flexible funding and trusted partners,” said UWNWVT Director of Partner and Volunteer Engagement Megan Bridges.

United Way of Northwest Vermont was among the first of 135+ grantmaking organizations nationwide to join the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project’s Meet the Moment Commitment: A Call to Action for Philanthropy in 2025 (and Beyond).

The commitment declares:
“While private philanthropy cannot possibly fill all the federal funding gaps, it can play a key role in supporting the stability, resilience, and reimagination of the social sector. We invite funders to commit to courageous, trust-based action in support of our nonprofit partners — without whom our work would not be possible.”

UWNWVT was an early adopter of trust-based philanthropy grantmaking practices — including giving multiyear unrestricted funding, streamlining paperwork, being transparent and responsive, soliciting and acting on feedback, and offering support beyond the check.

“United Way’s Community Partner Funding depends on community donations. While the size of our grants may not be the largest our partners receive, the fact that our funding is multi-year and unrestricted provides our partners with the flexibility and support they need to tackle the complexity and unpredictability of their work,” Bridges said.

United Way’s Community Partner Funding volunteers meet with the organizations we fund to listen, learn, and build relationships. The volunteers hear about successes, challenges, and what partners feel is needed to strengthen the nonprofit sector. This year, partners shared over and over how deeply impactful United Way funding is to fill in gaps where other more restrictive funding does not.

Milton Family Community Center Executive Director Nicole Sener shared that unrestricted funding from United Way has allowed the Parent Child Center to pilot and expand programs they would not otherwise be able to offer. The nonprofit, which serves 550 households and 2,000 individuals annually, provides wrap-around support to strengthen families including childcare, parenting education, food access, and running Milton’s only afterschool program.

“Unrestricted funding from United Way allows us to be as adaptable and flexible as we need to be with what we offer as we respond to the rapidly changing needs of community members,” Sener said.

Community Partner grants represent only one piece of United Way’s community funding. Last year, United Way invested $2.7 million into our community thanks to the support of generous donors and volunteers.

The partner funding will support organizations that address our community’s highest priorities, including meeting basic needs (housing, food, transportation), supporting families, promoting mental health, reducing substance misuse, and building financial security.

See below for a full list of organizations receiving United Way Community Partner Funding in 2025.

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United Way of Northwest Vermont Funded Partners (2025–2026)

 

– AALV, Inc.
– Age Well
– ANEW Place
– Boys & Girls Club of Burlington
– Burlington Housing Authority
– Champlain Community Services
– Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources (C.I.D.E.R.)
– Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)
– COTS
– Connecting Cultures, VSP
– Grand Isle Mentoring
– Greater Burlington YMCA
– HomeShare Vermont
– Howard Center
– The Janet S. Munt Family Room
– King Street Center
– Lund
– Martha’s Community Kitchen
– Milton Family Community Center
– Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS)
– Pathways Vermont
– Prevent Child Abuse VT (PCAVT)
– Spectrum Youth and Family Services
– STEPS to End Domestic Violence
– Turning Point Center of Chittenden County
– Turning Point of Franklin County
– VNA & Hospice of Southwest Region (funds to Franklin County)
– UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice