United Way of Massachusetts Bay recently launched its United Response Fund with an initial allocation of $250,000 to help replace federal grants taken away from local organizations.
United Way said it is calling on donors, corporations and foundations to “come together in support of the community-based organizations that are working to meet emerging needs and quickly deploy emergency assistance to individuals and families.” The Response Fund is aimed at addressing “reductions and threats to funding for essential needs, fear and uncertainty among communities most affected, job losses and instability facing community-based organizations.”
“Over the past four months, we’ve convened hundreds of nonprofit partners, business leaders and government officials to ensure we have a deep understanding of the concerns and impacts resulting from federal actions. It’s clear that this is not just a moment—the disruption we are experiencing today will have ripple effects for years to come,” explained United Way of Massachusetts Bay President and CEO Marty Martinez. “Our entire nonprofit sector and many community-based organizations must now fundamentally shift how we fund our missions and services in the future. The United Response Fund will act as a bridge toward that new reality.”
Officials noted the United Response Fund will support community-based organizations that are most impacted; provide emergency financial assistance in response to immediate and significant shifts in federal policy that place safety net programs at risk, such as aid to immigrant families, food stamps, Medicaid and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; support contingency planning, exploration of different program delivery models and new partnerships; and call on corporate partners to donate support to nonprofits as they adapt.
There’s more information about the United Response Fund online.