UWCM United Response Fund
Funding Amount
$500,000
Deadline
Ongoing
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Number of individuals impacted
- Organizations can be agencies, nonprofits, or businesses
Other requirements
- Established on a case-by-case basis appropriate to
- Scale of the unique disaster
- Significance of recovery response needed
Overview
Geographic Scope: Central Massachusetts region
Focus Areas:
- Rapid, flexible relief in response to urgent community needs
- Disaster response and emergency assistance
- Crisis intervention support
- Food security support (SNAP assistance)
- Energy assistance (LIHEAP)
- Support for affected agencies, nonprofits, and businesses
Background:
The United Response Fund is a $500,000 initiative launched by the United Way of Central Massachusetts to address emerging community needs. It was created in recognition of normalized instability and increasing disasters caused by natural and man-made disruptions.
Fund Components:
- Immediate Relief: Assists affected agencies/nonprofits/businesses with immediate needs not covered by government programs or traditional relief sources
- Recovery: Longer-term resources to aid recovery and strengthen community rebuilding
- Resilience: Efficient, transparent fund management ensuring ongoing resources for the community and preparedness for future crises
Eligibility Criteria:
- Established on a case-by-case basis appropriate to:
- Scale of the unique disaster
- Number of individuals impacted
- Significance of recovery response needed
- Organizations can be agencies, nonprofits, or businesses
Application Process:
Funds are quickly allocated through a streamlined review process using best practices learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contact:
- For agencies/nonprofits/businesses applying regarding food security (SNAP) and/or energy assistance (LIHEAP): Kerry Conaghan, Kerry.Conaghan@unitedwaycm.org
- United Way of Central Massachusetts
- 18 Chestnut Street, Suite 530
- Worcester, MA 01608
- (508) 757-5631
How to Apply
Application Process
For SNAP/LIHEAP Relief:
- Contact Kerry Conaghan directly to apply
- Streamlined review process
- Case-by-case evaluation based on:
- Scale of disaster
- Number of individuals impacted
- Significance of recovery response needed
Application Contact:
- Kerry Conaghan
- Kerry.Conaghan@unitedwaycm.org
- (508) 757-5631
What United Way of Central Massachusetts Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 242
- Total given
- $6.73M
- Median grant
- $16K
- Range
- $5,125–$294K
- By dollars: Massachusetts >99%, California <1%, Pennsylvania <1%. Top recipient cities: Worcester, MA; Southbridge, MA; Fitchburg, MA.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Example grants
United Way of North Central Massachusetts · Fitchburg, MA
Program grant 527
$294K
Worcester Community Action Council · Worcester, MA
Program grant heating
$220K
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester · Worcester, MA
Program grant yc
$205K
YWCA Central Massachusetts Inc · Worcester, MA
Program grant ci
$116K
Girl's Inc of Worcester · Worcester, MA
Program grant yc
$106K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Disaster relief
- Food security
- Human services
- Nonprofits
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
Wellfleet Shellfish Harvester Relief Fund
Lower Cape Outreach Councilinc
Amount
Up to $600 (individuals) or $900 (families)
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Fresh and Healthy Food for All in Columbia County Grant
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $7,500
Deadline
February 15, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Greater Lawrence Community Fund Grant
Essex County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $5,000 - US $10,000
Deadline
October 16, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
After School Out of School Time (ASOST) Grants
United Way of Central Massachusetts Inc
Amount
$1,080,000 (2025-2026 school year)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund
United Way of Central Massachusetts Inc
Amount
$3,225,997 distributed (fund is closed)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Market Match Fund Grant
Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Ready to apply for UWCM United Response Fund?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.
You found UWCM United Response Fund. Now let's win it.