The lead organization / backbone organization that has fiscal responsibility for the collaborative should serve as the lead nonprofit organization that applies. Backbone/lead organizations must be a 501(c)3 public charity.

Organizations that are working together with a common agenda for solving a specific social problem, using a structured form of collaboration. Priority will be given to collaboratives that have a common mission and goal, are using shared performance measurements and evaluation activities, and the use of data to continuously learn, adapt, and improve the work of their collaborative efforts and outcomes to advance equity. This could include private and private partnerships. This work should respond directly to documented needs, challenges, and gaps to help advance equity. 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the individual and collective organizations’ history and track record of success; identified needs; and strategies to meet those needs. We will look for organizations that have an established positive reputation in their communities, and a history of effectively responding to current as well as emergent issues.  Additional evaluation criteria will include: strength and capacity of collaborative; board/committee strength, diverse composition, and ability to provide appropriate oversight; history of, or plan for effective constituency engagement; and the collaboratives’ use of funds description. Priority will also be given to collaboratives that are engaged in public and private partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration; and demonstrate a clear and effective strategic plan towards advancing equity in the core areas identified.

The Amplify Fund is a supplemental giving program. It does not replace any giving initiatives by M&T Bank or the M&T Charitable Foundation. Organizations are eligible to apply and receive funds through to the Amplify Fund and the regular M&T Charitable Foundation process. 

The intent of the Amplify Fund is to provide an inclusive and equitable process that reaches a broad range of nonprofit organizations across the People’s United Bank legacy footprint. We understand that some organizations that received previous funding through the Amplify Fund may be a part of a qualifying collaborative that is interested in applying, and therefore could potentially benefit from additional funding support if approved. Decisions on qualifying organizations will be at the discretion of the M&T Charitable Foundation. 

Formal documentation is not a requirement. However, the M&T Charitable Foundation will prioritize organizations that are able to demonstrate a formal agreement and/or commitment between the members of the collaborative.

No. Please submit only one RFP on behalf of the collaborative. We recognize that many organizations do work across our focus areas and/or geographies. Your request should highlight all of the ways your organization meets our criteria.

The intent of the Amplify Fund and Advancing Equity Collaborative RFP is intended to provide funding support to nonprofit organizations that are operating within the former People’s United Bank footprint. While consideration will be given to organizations that have offices outside the geographic areas identified in the RFP, the programs/services for which funding is being requested must have a direct impact on our local communities outlined in the AF-AEC RFP.

The submitter of the application should receive an automated email from Versaic. 

If you do not receive an acknowledgement email, please contact the Charitable Contact for your Region.

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•  Individuals
• Capital campaigns
• Schools (public, private, or charter), including scholarships and tuition
• Events or any type of sponsorships, including conferences, seminars, panel discussions and retreats
• Disease specific organizations and activities
• Endowments 
• Media-related initiatives and marketing/advertising campaigns
• Religious organizations, unless supporting non-sectarian broad based community issues
• Sports, athletic events, or recreational programs/organizations          

The lead organization applying to the Amplify Fund on behalf of the collaborative should be the entity that has fiduciary responsibility. The lead organization will need to prove its 501c3 public charity status. It will also be accountable for signing the grant agreement, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the grant terms and conditions set forth by the M&T Charitable Foundation, and carrying out the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of the grant.