UBA celebrates its first year of community place-based grantmaking
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Union Benevolent Association (UBA) celebrates the successful completion of its first year implementing a community place-based grantmaking strategy focused on strengthening Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods with sustained, multi-year funding.
“Over the past year, UBA’s place-based approach has allowed us to deepen our impact through long-term partnerships with local organizations that directly serve our communities,” said Monique Curry-Mims, Executive Director of UBA. “This strategy is reshaping how we support vulnerable and disadvantaged Philadelphians and our efforts to improve quality of life and build lasting community capacity.”
Highlights from Year One
In fall 2024, UBA awarded three-year general operating grants to the following organizations for 2024 to 2027, each receiving $60,000 annually:
~Coalition of African Communities
~The Common Place
~African Cultural Alliance of North America
Additionally, we awarded one-time grants of $50,000 to:
~African Family Health Organization
~Southwest Community Development Corporation
~Lift Every Voice Philly
Through our annual spring grants, UBA awarded $20,000 this summer to each of these Southwest organizations addressing urgent community needs:
~African Family Health Organization
~Southwest Community Development Corporation
~Empowered CDC
~Lift Every Voice Philly
~Philly Truce Foundation
~The Minority Center for Participation & Empowerment
~Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia
~Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout
Additionally, UBA added several new Trustees whose expertise and commitment to equity will help guide the Foundation’s strategic growth. We are pleased to welcome:
Jamila Harris-Morrison, Executive Director of ACHIEVEability, is an advocate for equity and vulnerable families and communities.
Jarel Daniels, Founder of JD Tax and Accounting, has worked with nonprofits for several decades, providing CFO and financial services.
Tarik Ryant, Owner and Chef of Chef Reeky’s, is dedicated to advancing organizations through education focused on global impact and local change.
Tsehaitu Abye, Founder of BDBC Services, is a community organizer focused on equity-driven advocacy.
Long-time Trustee and Board Vice-Chair David Fair shared, “When UBA was started 194 years ago, it brought together individuals who saw around them that many of their neighbors were struggling, and they went out to help them. I’m amazed that almost two centuries later, we’re still doing that. By focusing our resources on a community facing many challenges, and empowering the individuals and organizations that are seeking to solve those challenges, we remain true to our mission and continue to have an impact that I hope would make our founders proud.”
To round out our first year, on October 16, UBA hosted its inaugural annual grantee convening, bringing together all grantees and trustees to share insights and deepen collaboration. Discussions highlighted the critical need for technical assistance, strengthened partnerships with government offices and social service agencies, and increased advocacy efforts to respond effectively to community needs. This convening reinforced UBA’s commitment to ongoing support beyond funding, including capacity building and collective impact efforts, which we will launch in 2026 for all Southwest community organizations.
About the Union Benevolent Association:
The Union Benevolent Association (UBA) is a private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Philadelphians. Since 1831, UBA has provided critical funding and support to organizations that address basic needs, foster self-sufficiency, and empower communities.
For more information, contact Monique Curry-Mims, Executive Director, at monique@ubaphilly.org.
UBA's Spring Grant Cycle is Open till May 19th.
Philadelphia, PA – The Union Benevolent Association (UBA) is pleased to announce our Spring 2025 grant cycle is open.
UBA remains committed to its core mission of supporting vulnerable populations in Philadelphia. The success of this initial community focus will inform future place-based strategies guided by the following principles:
*Improving Quality of Life: UBA supports initiatives that demonstrably improve the lives of individuals and families.
*Community Leadership: UBA prioritizes organizations led by and accountable to the communities they serve.
*Advocacy: UBA supports organizations that go beyond direct services through advocacy and community mobilization.
Through our commitment, UBA has shifted to a place-based grantmaking approach and our funding priority for 2024 – 2027 focuses on Southwest Philadelphia only. UBA’s Spring 2025 funding cycle will provide one-year general operating grants up to $20,000 per year, to nonprofit organizations serving Southwest Philadelphia.
To learn more and apply, please review the grant guidelines
https://www.ubaphilly.org/grant-guidelines
About the Union Benevolent Association
The Union Benevolent Association (UBA) is a private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Philadelphians. Since 1831, UBA has provided critical funding and support to organizations addressing basic needs, fostering self-sufficiency, and empowering communities.
Union Benevolent Association Awards Over Half a Million in Grants to Strengthen Southwest Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA – The Union Benevolent Association (UBA) is pleased to announce the awarding of over half a million dollars in grants to Southwest Philadelphia nonprofits. This significant investment aligns with UBA’s new community-place-based strategy, which aims to strengthen local communities through targeted support.
Through this initiative, UBA has awarded three-year, $180,000 general operating grants to the following organizations:
The Common Place: A community hub dedicated to holistically supporting children and their families in Southwest Philadelphia through educational programs and “food sovereignty,” empowering the community with access to fresh, healthy, and sustainably grown food.
Coalition of African and Caribbean Communities (AFRICOM): An advocacy organization supporting African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees to feel a sense of empowerment, belonging, and self-sufficiency.
African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA): A nonprofit that helps refugees, immigrant families and all other residents of Philadelphia access legal, health and other social services, working to ensure quality of life, cultural preservation, advocacy and equity for everyone.
Additionally, UBA has awarded annual direct service grants of $50,000 to the following organizations:
African Family Health Organization (AFAHO): A community-based organization that
provides health, human and educational services to African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees (ACIR).
Lift Every Voice Philly: A community organization committed to empowering parents to
transform Philadelphia schools by advancing racial, economic, and educational justice.
Southwest CDC: A community development organization revitalizing Southwest Philadelphia through economic development, affordable housing, and community engagement.
“We are excited to support these organizations and their vital work in Southwest Philadelphia,” said Monique Curry-Mims, Executive Director at UBA. “By investing in a place-based strategy, we are investing in the sustainability of the change these organizations are hoping to make in this community.”
UBA remains committed to its core mission of supporting vulnerable populations in Philadelphia. The success of this initial community focus will inform future place-based strategies guided by the following principles:
Improving Quality of Life: UBA supports initiatives that demonstrably improve the lives of individuals and families.
Community Leadership: UBA prioritizes organizations led by and accountable to the communities they serve.
Advocacy: UBA supports organizations that go beyond direct services through advocacy and community mobilization.
About the Union Benevolent Association
The Union Benevolent Association (UBA) is a private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Philadelphians. Since 1831, UBA has provided critical funding and support to organizations addressing basic needs, fostering self-sufficiency, and empowering communities.
