LYNN — As rising energy, housing, and food costs continue to strain households across Massachusetts, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, United Way of Central Massachusetts, National Grid and National Grid Foundation announced a new partnership to mobilize a network of community-based organizations  to implement grassroots efforts to help seniors and energy burdened families to stay connected to essential utilities through a $2.2 million investment. This investment will provide direct relief and fund outreach efforts throughout the Commonwealth. National Grid and National Grid Foundation leaders, United Ways, grant recipients, and elected officials today announced the partnership at LEO Inc in Lynn, one of the community-based organizations participating in the new initiative. This  investment in United Way is part of a larger $5M commitment by National Grid and National Grid Foundation to increase access to energy affordability across Massachusetts. 

Over the last year, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, United Way of Central Massachusetts, National Grid, and the National Grid Foundation have convened community-based organizations to inform solutions to address one of the most urgent challenges facing communities today: energy affordability and public health. Building on more than 20 years of partnership between National Grid Foundation and United Ways supporting utility assistance across the Commonwealth, the organizations announced a new targeted outreach effort designed to connect seniors to utility assistance programs, cost-saving tools, and trusted community-based support. 

Community-based organizations are central to both the design and implementation of this effort, serving as trusted connectors that help residents navigate complex systems, enroll in available programs, and receive direct assistance. These partners are working on the ground to identify seniors at risk, provide one-on-one support, and connect households to both immediate assistance and longer-term energy solutions. 

In Massachusetts, low-income households spend around 10% or more of their income on energy, with some communities seeing burdens exceed 30%, according to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Through National Grid and National Grid Foundation’s investment, funding has already been deployed in eight energy-burdened communities including, Dorchester, Roxbury, Lynn, Chelsea, Lawrence, Fall River, Brockton, and Worcester, where residents pay a disproportionately high share of their income toward utilities and thousands of low-income seniors are at heightened risk of falling behind on energy bills while trying to remain safely in their homes.  

This investment includes: 

$1 million dedicated to outreach and enrollment, a new effort to connect seniors in eight energy-burdened communities to National Grid’s energy affordability programs, discounts, and services. Grantees include:  

$1.2 million in direct utility assistance from the National Grid Foundation, already distributed to community organizations providing fast, flexible relief. Last year, funds from National Grid Foundation supported over 2,200 households. Funds to provide emergency financial assistance were awarded this winter to: 

Together, these efforts are designed to meet immediate needs while closing the gap between available resources and the seniors who need them most. 

“Right now, too many seniors and families are feeling the pressure of rising energy, housing, and food costs all at once, said Marty Martinez, CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay, “And too often, even when help exists, people aren’t connected to it. This work is about changing that—meeting people where they are, through trusted community partners, and making sure they can access the support that helps them stay safely in their homes and increases the public health and wellbeing of communities.” 

“Our co-design model puts seniors and community partners at the center of the solution. By pairing direct assistance with targeted outreach, we are helping ensure they stay safe and warm today while accessing programs that make energy more affordable over time,” said Dr. Robert Simmons III, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation and Vice President of Social Impact and Community Engagement at National Grid,” said Dr. Robert Simmons III, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation and Vice President of Social Impact and Community Engagement, National Grid 

Energy affordability remains a growing challenge across Massachusetts, particularly for older adults living on fixed incomes. When paired with wraparound supports such as benefits enrollment and financial coaching, connecting seniors to utility programs can help prevent crises, reduce isolation, and strengthen long-term stability. 

 “In Central Massachusetts, many seniors, especially in our rural and gateway communities, face barriers in accessing the programs designed to support them,” said Tim Garvin, President & CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. “This partnership allows us to meet people where they are, working through trusted local organizations to connect older adults to utility assistance, enrollment support, and resources that help them stay safely in their homes.” 

United Way organizations are working closely with partners to implement this effort and ensure seniors and families can access the resources they need—when and where they need them most. 

About the National Grid Foundation 

The National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life in local communities by supporting programs that address education, the environment and other local priorities. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families, and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has granted more than $43 million to local community organizations. The Foundation is an independent charitable arm of National Grid, helping advance the company’s Grid for Good social impact community engagement initiative, dedicated to making a positive difference in local communities through three guiding pillars – increasing access to affordable energy, developing the energy workforce and supporting community resilience. 

About National Grid 

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We’re committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve—providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our corporate investment and innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are transforming the energy sector and accelerating industry-wide innovation. 

About United Way of Massachusetts Bay 

United Way mobilizes people and partners to tackle systemic challenges in our community. We bring people, organizations, and resources together to not only help solve the challenges facing families and our communities, but to also focus on changing the systems behind those challenges.   We do this by partnering across sectors, amplifying community voices and advocating for policy changes to scale what’s working. We mobilize resources to invest in organizations that are closest to the community need and share our expertise and knowledge to advance thriving communities.