Emergency Assistance Funds

Emergency Assistance Funds is sponsored by United Way. Offers cash assistance for food, utility bills, and housing assistance.

United Response Fund - United Way of Massachusetts Bay COMMUNITY-CENTERED CRISIS RESPONSE Increased immigration enforcement - which has been happening for many months across our region - is creating significant disruption for our immigrant neighbors. The fear, uncertainty and volatility fueled by changes in federal policies is creating a chilling effect for immigrant families, deterring access to essential services.

We are activating our United Response Fund to mobilize increased resources on top of what we have already raised to address the significant disruption and urgent needs that our immigrant neighbors are experiencing. We will deploy emergency financial assistance to individuals and families to ensure they can access basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare and childcare and will provide support to organizations on the front lines.

TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND • TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND • TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND • TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND • Provide flexible operating funds to support local community-based organizations and the new, unexpected and emerging needs impacting them. These resources will enable them to focus on sustaining critical services and meeting the needs of their communities, despite stretched budgets and staffing resources.

Deploy emergency financial assistance to individuals and families to address new, vital basic needs that are emerging in unprecedented ways because of immediate actions. With critical safety net programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Head Start and Medicaid under real threats, the need for philanthropy to step in will be even greater.

Offer deeper support for organizational resilience to community partners who are most vulnerable to potential funding cuts. We must ensure nonprofits that are deeply rooted in our communities and are the most impacted can be sustained during this time of change and uncertainty. Currently Reviewing Applications At this time, we are reviewing submitted applications and have paused the acceptance of new applications.

Please check back here for updates. UWMB will offer grants of up to $15,000 to community-based organizations providing emergency financial assistance to immigrant and refugee populations in United Way of Massachusetts Bay's service area.

United Response Fund: FEFA Immigrant Support To be eligible, a nonprofit must operate in one or more of the following communities: Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Salem or Taunton, and demonstrate that at least 80% of its mission is focused on supporting immigrant and refugee populations.

Organizations must also have a proven track record of managing direct cash distribution for essential needs such as food, housing and utilities. United Snap Response in the news Atrius Health Equity Foundation Donates $1M to United Way’s United Respo… United Response Fund Update: United Way Raises $5.

6M to Support Familie… Cummings Foundation to Donate $1M to United Way’s United Response Fund t… In response to the urgent need created by rising food costs & SNAP disruptions, the URF has swiftly deployed more than $1 million in grants to more than 60 local organizations across Massachusetts & counting.

This fast, flexible funding model ensures that trusted community partners can respond without delay — providing groceries, gift cards, & culturally relevant meals directly to families. A partnership between the City of Lynn, Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND) and United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the Fund will help families bridge urgent gaps and avoid deeper crises.

The One Chelsea Fund is strengthening food security for residents. Grants to La Colaborativa, GreenRoots, CAPIC, and local partners support expanded pantry operations and grocery gift cards — ensuring Chelsea families have consistent, dignified access to meals. The One Haverhill Fund is expanding direct food assistance.

Administered through Community Action, Inc., the grant strengthens local pantry operations, increases food inventory, and provides grocery gift cards to help residents facing rising food costs. UWMB Awards $130,000 in First Round of United Response Fund Grants The initial round of funding underscores United Way’s commitment to address emerging needs by catalyzing collective action and partnerships.

The grants will also provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing urgent challenges meeting essential needs like food, housing and utilities. — DONORS + CORPORATIONS + FOUNDATIONS — TO RISE WITH US IN THIS MOMENT OF HISTORIC UNCERTAINTY.