Good Neighbor Energy Fund

Good Neighbor Energy Fund is sponsored by United Way of Rhode Island (administered in cooperation with sponsoring energy companies). Provides financial assistance to Rhode Island households facing a temporary crisis and struggling with energy bills, including heating and cooling expenses. It's for those who may not qualify for federal or state aid.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund – United Way of Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund Welcome to the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund Providing warmth for our neighbors. It’s important our loved ones, friends, and neighbors have a place to turn when the unexpected happens.

For more than 40 years, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has provided assistance to Rhode Island households who are unable to meet a current energy expense due to a temporary crisis and are not eligible for state or federal aid. Of course, every year presents its challenges to give warmth to all our neighbors in need — this year is no different.

The Fund counts on the generosity of Rhode Islanders to help local families get through tough times. Many people give during the winter months, when our annual "Warm Thy Neighbor" campaign is in full swing, but gifts are appreciated all year long. Working together for Rhode Island families.

Through a cooperative effort between sponsoring energy companies, United Way of Rhode Island, the business community, and the people of Rhode Island, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has assisted more than 48,750 families since its inception in 1986. The Fund was founded by local energy companies that recognized their customer's generosity with various giving programs.

The Good Neighbor Energy Fund's 2025-26 sponsors include: Block Island Utility District Clear River Electric & Water District Rhode Islanders who need assistance from the Fund should visit their local Community Action Program (CAP) agency. CAP agencies use the guidelines found below to determine qualification. If you are unsure of the CAP agency nearest you, please contact United Way 211 in Rhode Island.

Simply dial 2-1-1 or visit us online Clients must provide documentation showing financial hardship. Clients must provide copies of their photo ID, proof of income, proof of household members, and current heat-related utility bill. Clients cannot receive GNEF assistance for more than one of the following energy sources: electricity, natural gas, oil, propane, wood, or wood by-products.

Any household that did not receive assistance last campaign year is eligible to receive assistance this campaign year, as long as they meet all of the financial eligibility guidelines. Households that did receive GNEF assistance last campaign year must demonstrate an extenuating financial hardship to receive assistance again this campaign year. GNEF makes payments directly to the utility company.

2025-26 Eligibility Amounts Rhode Islanders are eligible for GNEF support if their household income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level and is also above the threshold for LIHEAP assistance. 2017 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines For each additional family member Maximum GNEF grant for clients Maximum grant for clients who are receiving LIHEAP. Local households in crisis need your help more than ever.

You can give warmth to a family in need, possibly in your own neighborhood. Please make a difference in the lives of people in your community by making a gift today. Now it's even easier to be charitable with four convenient ways to give: Click the blue "Donate Today" button below.

Send a check, payable to "Good Neighbor Energy Fund," in the yellow donation envelope enclosed with your utility bill. Send a check to United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909. Text WARM to 91999 to have a debit/credit card donation form sent to your phone.

For more information, p lease contact United Way of Rhode Island by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone, or by visiting us at unitedwayri. org . The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to any Rhode Islander who, because of temporary crisis, needs assistance paying a current energy expense and meets eligibility guidelines.

Since 1986, the Fund has helped 48,750 Rhode Island households stay warm by raising over $17. 3 million. The Good Neighbor Energy Fund is administered by United Way of Rhode Island.

Donations come from the general public, businesses, and local community organizations. Sponsoring electric, gas, and oil companies support their customers' generosity through various giving programs. Contributions to the Fund qualify as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt donations.

The fundraising goal for the 2025-26 "Warm Thy Neighbor" campaign is $400,000. There are thousands of people in the Ocean State struggling to pay an energy expense; they're often our family members, friends, co-workers, and people you know in the community. Thank you for helping to "Warm Thy Neighbor."