COMMUNITY-CENTERED CRISIS RESPONSE

UNITED
RESPONSE FUND
An Urgent Call to Action

Unstable funding, shifting policies, and economic uncertainty are straining the support systems thousands of individuals and families rely on. Our nonprofit partners are reporting surging demand for basic needs assistance, while new eligibility and reauthorization requirements risk disrupting access to critical safety net programs for thousands of individuals and families. United Way of Massachusetts Bay is built to rapidly respond to crises – quickly, strategically, and at a scale that is greater than what any individual organization can do alone. We are providing flexible operating support to community-based organizations facing new and unexpected needs along with emergency financial assistance to help individuals and families access essential services.

TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND •
TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND •
TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND •
TOGETHER WE CAN RESPOND •

UNITED, WE WILL

SUPPORT

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.

STABILIZE

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.

STRENGTHEN

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.

Snap Rapid Relief Grants

Quick response grants to stabilize SNAP

United Snap Response in the news

News
Nov 20 2025

Atrius Health Equity Foundation Donates $1M to United Way’s United Respo…

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News
Nov 10 2025

United Response Fund Update: United Way Raises $5.6M to Support Familie…

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News
Oct 31 2025

Cummings Foundation to Donate $1M to United Way’s United Response Fund t…

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United Response Funds


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.

United Response Fund

One Chelsea Fund

One Haverhill Fund

September 17, 2025

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.

WE ARE CALLING ON OUR PARTNERS
— DONORS + CORPORATIONS + FOUNDATIONS —
TO RISE WITH US IN THIS MOMENT OF HISTORIC UNCERTAINTY.