We have committed $17 million in funding to community partners
In partnership with the National Grid Foundation, we recently committed $17 million in funding as part of our Winter Customer Savings Initiative to help small businesses and low- and moderate-income customers manage higher energy bills and access financial assistance this winter. These new funds are on top of our ongoing local community support and will be distributed to customers through our community partners across Massachusetts and New York.
- American Red Cross of Massachusetts: Operates the Boston Food Pantry to help alleviate hunger and food insecurity among low-income communities throughout the Boston area.
- Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA): Enacts tangible solutions to reverse the trend of depreciating Black wealth in Boston.
- Cape Cod Hunger Network: A growing coalition of organizations including Cape Cod food pantries and state and local agencies that help coordinate food security programs.
- Cape and Islands United Way: Partners with donors, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations to improve lives and build stronger communities on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
- Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Provides food to independent pantries, meal sites and shelters that are on the front lines of emergency food assistance in the region.
- Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund: Provides energy assistance to residents in temporary crisis who are struggling to pay their energy bills and do not qualify for federal or state emergency funds through a cooperative effort between sponsoring Massachusetts energy companies and caring neighbors throughout the Commonwealth.
- Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA): The MRA provides access, influence and protection to restaurant professionals allowing for the ultimate opportunity to lead thriving businesses.
- Project Bread: Connects people and communities in MA to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible.
- Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM): RAM has been the voice of the Commonwealth’s retailers for almost 100 years and provides members with valuable regulatory and policy briefings, money saving tools, and highly-effective representation on Beacon Hill.
- The Greater Boston Food Bank: The largest hunger relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country.
- United Way of Central Massachusetts: Works to improve the community and break the cycle of poverty by investing in programs and initiatives that have a proven track record of results and that align with its strategic goals: Education, Family Stability, and Health and Safety Net.
- United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley: Strives to create positive, lasting change for people in need by focusing on two foundations for a better life: Financial Opportunity and Educational Success.
- Waltham Boys and Girls Club Food Program: Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of young people by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence.
- West End House Boys and Girls Club Food for Families Program: Preparing youth for high school graduation and college completion.
- Worcester County Food Bank: Dedicated to engaging, educating and leading Worcester County, MA in creating a hunger-free community.
- Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce: The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in New England representing 2,100 members from all industries and of all sizes located in its service area of 35 cities and towns and other communities in Central Mass. and beyond.
- YWCA Central Massachusetts: Dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
- YMCA of Greater Boston Hunger Prevention Program: Dedicated to improving the health of mind, body and spirit of individuals and families in our communities.
To inquire about applying for funds, contact your nearest Community Action Program.
- Hope & Warmth Energy Fund
The Hope & Warmth Energy Fund will provide emergency financial assistance to vulnerable customers who have an income above the HEAP eligibility guidelines and are having difficulty paying their heat-related energy bills. Eligible customers will receive one $200 grant during the winter heating season. To qualify, an applicant must: - Have an active National Grid account in their name.
- Meet Empower+ Moderate Income Incentive Guidelines.
- Reside in a one- or two-family home.
- Have a valid National Grid disconnect notice.
- Have an overdue balance of more than $300.
- Hearts Fighting Hunger
Hearts Fighting Hunger offers one-time emergency food assistance in the form of a $150 grocery store gift card/food voucher to eligible National Grid New York customers with a past-due account and a vulnerable household member. Customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits are not eligible for this program. To qualify for Hearts Fighting Hunger, applicants must: - Have an active National Grid account in their name that is in arrears.
- Meet Empower+ Moderate Income Incentive Guidelines.
- Have a vulnerable household member such as a disabled person, a child under the age of 18, or a resident over the age of 62.
- Care & Share and Neighborhood Heating Fund
Care & Share provides emergency financial assistance to income-eligible individuals and families who are having difficulty paying their heat-related energy bills in National Grid’s upstate New York service area.
The Neighborhood Heating Fund provides emergency financial assistance to income-eligible individuals and families who are having difficulty paying their heat-related energy bills in National Grid’s New York Metro service area.
The programs open in February and close when the funds are exhausted. Eligible customers receive one $200 grant per season. To qualify, applicants must: - Have an active National Grid account in their name.
- Have a household income that meets Home Energy Assistance Program guidelines.
- Have exhausted all available HEAP assistance at the time of application.
For more information on these programs, including how to apply, visit: HeartShare Human Services of New York | Energy Assistance.
- Project Warmth
Project Warmth, a community-based partnership between National Grid, local businesses, and nonprofit agencies, aids Long Islanders who are facing a heating emergency and do not qualify for federal assistance programs due to income guidelines. Administered by the United Way of Long Island, Project Warmth provides a one-time grant for customers who are unable to pay their heating bill. For a referral, call 2-1-1 (or 1-888-774-7633) for the United Way of Long Island’s Information and Referral call center or visit www.unitedwayli.org/projectwarmth. The National Grid Foundation expects to announce additional funding for Project Warmth later this year.
All programs will be administered by HeartShare Human Services of New York, and they will distribute funds to qualifying customers. If you are a New York resident and need help paying your energy bill this winter – even if you have never qualified before for assistance - visit our Payment Assistance Programs webpage.
Every day we support the people and communities we serve across New York and Massachusetts through partnerships with local nonprofits, sustainability programs, community volunteer events, grants and more.