For Immediate Release – April 3, 2023
Contact: Debbie Laurie, City Manager
(207) 992-4201 – debbie.laurie@bangormaine.gov
Matt Donahue, Heart of Maine United Way
(207) 941-2800 – grants@homeunitedway.org
City of Bangor Announces ARPA Grant Application Process through Heart of Maine United Way’s Grant Management Service
Bangor, Maine – The City of Bangor, in partnership with Heart of Maine United Way, will open the grant application process for the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding on Monday, April 3, 2023. Applications must be completed and submitted online by 4:00 PM on April 26, 2023. The application and additional information can be found by visiting www.homeunitedway.org/arpa.
Organizations may request funding for projects that meet the requirements of ARPA funding and are aligned with the City’s priority areas: childcare, homelessness, housing, job training, mental health, and substance use disorder. Additionally, projects that have long-term benefits, have a high probability of success, clearly demonstrate organizational resources and capacity, leverage additional funding and partnerships, and generate outcomes and future cost savings that will benefit the City of Bangor and its taxpayers will be prioritized. Council Chair Rick Fournier added, “We encourage organizations to think creatively about how this once in a lifetime funding can make real progress towards addressing the needs of our City, now and for generations to come.”
Applications will be reviewed by a group of volunteers, who will be trained and supported by Heart of Maine United Way, similar to existing United Way funding reviews. The process will include an independent review of the application, initial evaluation, and identification of follow-up questions for the applicant. Applicants will be required to provide written responses to those questions by May 25, 2023. Volunteers will meet to discuss their findings and finalize the summary sheets that will be provided to the City Council. Individuals interested in volunteering can learn more and apply at www.homeunitedway.org/arpa.
“We’re pleased to use our experience and expertise in the grant management process to help the City of Bangor wisely invest these funds through an open, structured, and effective grant process.,” said Shirar Patterson, President & CEO of Heart of Maine United Way. “ARPA funding provides an opportunity for transformational change and improvement for all who enjoy our great City.”
Heart of Maine United Way staff will be available to support applicants with questions related to the grant application system during drop-in technical support sessions via Zoom every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 PM during the April open application process. These sessions will not address specific questions related to ARPA funding and eligibility. Though attending these sessions to have questions addressed is strongly encouraged, applicants may also contact grants@homeunitedway.org as needed.
For more information and to apply, visit www.homeunitedway.org/arpa and www.bangormaine.gov/arpa.
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About the City of Bangor
The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 31,753 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.
About Heart of Maine United Way
Since 1937, Heart of Maine United Way (HoMEUW, formerly United Way of Eastern Maine) has been mobilizing the caring power of people and communities throughout Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington Counties to provide essential services and identify solutions aimed at creating lasting changes to the root causes of the community’s most pressing needs. HoMEUW is focused on improving Basic Needs, Substance Use Disorder and Early Childhood Development for all; helping tens of thousands of people access basic services in times of crisis while engaging hundreds of individuals and organizations to improve our communities and make them stronger. For more information on HoMEUW and their work, visit www.HoMEUnitedWay.org.