United Way of Massachusetts Bay Inc

Quick Stats

EIN: 04-2382233
Annual Giving: $38.6M (2023 grants distributed)
Success Rate: 32.5% (for Strategic Partnership program)
Decision Time: Varies by program; rolling basis for some programs
Grant Range: $15,000 - $150,000+ annually
Geographic Focus: 12 priority communities in Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley region
Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars (100% score)

Contact Details

Address: 9 Channel Center Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02210

Phone: 617-624-8000

Website: https://unitedwaymassbay.org

Email: jbellows@uwmb.org

Media Contact: Brigid Boyd, Chief of Public Affairs - bboyd@supportunitedway.org, 339-236-1161

For Community Impact inquiries: cihelpdesk@supportunitedway.org

Overview

United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB), founded as a 501(c)(3) public charity with EIN 04-2382233, is one of the region's most influential philanthropic organizations working to advance economic justice. With annual grant distributions of approximately $38.6 million (2023), the organization has undergone a transformative strategic shift from traditional United Way giving to a community-centered, systems-change approach. In 2023, UWMB announced a groundbreaking $56 million multi-year commitment to 124 nonprofit partners through 2030, representing its first-ever open application process. The organization earned Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating with a perfect 100% score, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability. With new President and CEO Marty Martinez beginning in March 2025, UWMB is positioned to lead regional efforts to eradicate poverty conditions and improve financial wellbeing across race and ethnicity in the Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Strategic Partnership Grants (Multi-Year)

Amount: $56 million total ($8 million annually) through 2030
Recipients: 124 nonprofit organizations selected in 2023
Structure: Multi-year, unrestricted grants for direct services or policy advocacy
Individual Grants: Range from approximately $15,000 to $150,000+ annually per organization
Application: First open application process in organizational history (completed for current cycle; 124 partners selected through 2030)
Note: Current partnership commitments run through 2030; future application cycles to be announced

2. Community Action Grants

Amount: $255,000 awarded in first round (April 2023) to 17 organizations
Structure: One-year, unrestricted grants to grassroots organizations and local coalitions
Application: Open to local coalitions and grassroots organizations
Success Rate: 17 selected from 167 applications (10.2%)

3. SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program

Amount: $5 million program funded by Massachusetts state government
Purpose: Emergency overnight congregate shelter for extremely low-income families with children and pregnant people
Application: Rolling basis
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits, faith-based groups, and volunteer organizations (solo or in partnership)
Structure: Funding to establish new sites or expand existing emergency shelter sites

4. United Response Fund

Purpose: Emergency financial assistance for individuals and families facing urgent challenges
Focus: Essential needs including food, housing, and utilities
Application: Direct application for individuals in need

5. Migrant Relief Fund

Amount: $1.4 million raised (as of late 2023)
Purpose: Essential needs of migrant families including temporary accommodations, food, clothing, and services
Partnership: Collaborative effort with community organizations

Priority Areas

UWMB focuses on four avenues to economic prosperity within 12 priority communities (Boston neighborhoods including Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury, plus Cambridge, Chelsea, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Salem, and Taunton):

Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building: Programs that advance financial wellbeing, asset building, and economic opportunity
Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST): Quality early education and after-school programs for children and youth
Education and Career Pathways for Youth and Young Adults: Programs supporting educational advancement and career development
Safe and Stable Housing: Initiatives addressing housing stability, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing access

Geographic Focus: The 12 priority communities are home to two-thirds of individuals living below the poverty threshold in UWMB's service area.

Leadership Priority: Organizations must have BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ leadership driving their work and demonstrate commitment to community voice in program design and implementation.

What They Don't Fund

While UWMB does not publish a comprehensive list of funding exclusions, their focus is clearly on:

Organizations working in their 12 priority communities
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the region
Programs aligned with their four priority areas
Organizations demonstrating systems-change approaches rather than just symptom treatment

Organizations outside these parameters or those not centered in economic justice work would likely not be competitive for funding.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Marty Martinez, President and CEO (began March 31, 2025)

Former CEO of Reach Out and Read
Former Chief of Health and Human Services for the City of Boston
Over 25 years of experience working on behalf of children and families in Greater Boston
Personal connection to mission, having grown up in a low-income household led by a single mother

Martinez has stated: "As someone who grew up in a low-income household, led by a single mother, I'm someone who knows the systems and supports that created the opportunities for me to access the American dream that I know today. United Way's mission to create economic opportunity for all is more important than ever, and we will move with urgency to tackle the work ahead."

Brigid Boyd, Chief of Public Affairs

Karley Ausiello, Chief of Community Impact (during 2023 strategic shift)

Emphasized the shift "from programmatic outcomes to shared commitment to advancing economic justice"

Board of Directors

Board Officers:

Tammi Wortham, Chair - Senior Vice President, Human Resources, SunLife U.S.
John Madondo, Vice Chair - CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Massachusetts
Tara Parker, PhD, Secretary - Dean, College of Education and Human Development, University of Massachusetts Boston
Bill Rosensweig, Treasurer - Partner, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Committee Chairs:

Maria Alejandra De Cordova, Chair, Talent Committee - Vice President of Human Resources, Procter & Gamble
Brenda Campbell-Warner, CPA, Chair, Audit Committee - Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Magnolia Contreras, Chair, Development Committee - Vice President of Community Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Robert Fernandez, Chair, Admin & Finance - Director of ESG Research, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
Ellen W. Griggs, Chair, Investment Committee - Independent Board Director
Richard H. Moche, Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee
Elaine Ward, Chair, Community Impact Committee - Program Director & Associate Professor, Merrimack College
Sujata Yadav, Chair, Public Affairs Committee - Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Eastern Bank

Additional Board Members (representing business, health, social service, media, government, and community sectors): Michael Brooks, Lorenna Buck PhD, Ava Callender Concepcion Esq., Liz Cheng, Jeffrey Fuhrer, Dan Gilbane, Patrick Gilligan, Dan Griggs, Pamela J. Herbst, Gregory Janey, Nancy Kaplan, Rita Lara, Chris McDonald, Jaimie McNeil, Kim Reinert, Corean Reynolds, Thomas E. Samoluk, Jon Swan, Charles Tillen, and JP Weldon.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Strategic Partnership Grants: The current cycle of multi-year Strategic Partnership grants (through 2030) has already been awarded to 124 organizations selected in 2023. This was UWMB's first-ever open application process. Future application cycles have not yet been announced. Organizations interested in future opportunities should monitor the UWMB website and sign up for updates.

Community Action Grants: Check the UWMB website at https://unitedwaymassbay.org/impact/cag for current application opportunities. The first round awarded $255,000 to 17 organizations in April 2023.

SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Nonprofit organizations can apply on their own or in partnership with other volunteer groups, faith-based groups, or organizations. Applications can be submitted to expand an existing site or establish a new site. Contact UWMB for current application portal information.

United Response Fund: Individuals and families facing urgent financial challenges can apply directly through the UWMB website at https://unitedwaymassbay.org/united-response

Application Requirements (Based on 2023 Strategic Partnership Process)

For major grant opportunities, successful applicants typically must:

Be an eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the region
Center impact in at least one of UWMB's 12 focus communities
Share UWMB's vision of economic justice
Have BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ leadership driving their work
Demonstrate community member involvement in decision-making
Integrate community perspectives and experiences into program design and implementation
Focus on systems change rather than just treating symptoms
Work in one or more of the four priority areas

The 2023 Strategic Partnership application was translated into seven languages for accessibility, demonstrating UWMB's commitment to reaching diverse communities.

Decision Timeline

Strategic Partnership Grants (2023 cycle):

Applications received and reviewed
382 total applications submitted
220 advanced to community review
124 organizations ultimately selected
Process included community members (24 compensated reviewers) forming recommendations

SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program: Rolling review process with urgency given the emergency nature of shelter needs. First grant awarded to Catholic Charities Boston within weeks of program launch in November 2023.

Community Action Grants: Applications reviewed with community participation in the selection process.

Specific decision timelines vary by program and are not publicly documented for all grant streams.

Success Rates

Strategic Partnership Grants (2023): 32.5% success rate

382 applications received
220 advanced to community review (57.6%)
124 organizations selected for funding (32.5% of total applications)

Community Action Grants (2023): 10.2% success rate

167 total applications (99 grassroots, 68 collective action)
17 organizations selected for funding

These are highly competitive programs given UWMB's significant shift in funding strategy and commitment to long-term partnerships.

Reapplication Policy

Given that the Strategic Partnership program represents multi-year commitments through 2030, reapplication policies for major grant programs have not been specified. Organizations not selected in the 2023 round should stay informed about future grant cycles through the UWMB website and communications.

For programs on rolling or annual cycles (such as SafetyNet Shelter grants or future Community Action Grant rounds), organizations should contact UWMB directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on UWMB's 2023 Strategic Partnership selection process and stated priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Commitment to Systems Change Over Symptom Treatment

Former CEO Bob Giannino emphasized: "This new way forward is a recognition that philanthropic efforts must evolve to meet pressing regional issues." UWMB is explicitly moving away from programs that only address symptoms to those that tackle root causes of economic inequality.

2. Authentic Community Voice and Leadership

35% of new Strategic Partners are led by Black or Latino leaders (up from 24% in the previous portfolio)
Organizations must demonstrate how community perspectives are integrated into program design and implementation
UWMB enlisted 24 community members, compensated for their participation, to form recommendations on grant recipients
BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ leadership driving the work is a core requirement

3. Deep Work in Focus Communities

Organizations must center their impact in one or more of the 12 priority communities. The strategic shift reflects UWMB's recognition that these communities—home to two-thirds of the region's poverty-level residents—require concentrated, long-term investment.

4. Alignment with Economic Justice Vision

Chief of Community Impact Karley Ausiello described the shift "from programmatic outcomes to shared commitment to advancing economic justice." Applications must demonstrate how the organization's work advances an economically just region where prosperity is shared across race and ethnicity.

5. Focus on One or More Priority Areas

Successful applications clearly align with at least one of the four avenues to prosperity:

Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building
Early Education and Out-of-School Time
Education and Career Pathways for Youth and Young Adults
Safe and Stable Housing

6. Demonstrated Impact and Organizational Capacity

While UWMB shifted to unrestricted, multi-year funding (allowing partners to devote grants to whatever they see fit), organizations still must demonstrate they can effectively advance economic justice and create measurable change in their communities.

Examples of Funded Organizations

The 124 Strategic Partners represent a diverse array of organizations including:

Direct service providers (e.g., Action for Boston Community Development, Family Services of the Merrimack Valley)
Youth development organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs, BAGLY, YouthBuild Boston)
Housing and community development corporations (e.g., Urban Edge Housing Corporation, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción)
Education and career pathway organizations (e.g., Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Roca, Inc.)
Policy and advocacy organizations (e.g., Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Citizens' Housing and Planning Association)
Immigrant and refugee services (e.g., Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, La Colaborativa)

Complete list of 124 Strategic Partners available at: https://unitedwaymassbay.org/about/partners/strategic-partners

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Systems Change is Paramount: UWMB has explicitly shifted from funding programs that treat symptoms to those that address root causes. Applications must articulate how your work creates systemic change, not just provides services.
Community Voice is Non-Negotiable: Demonstrate how community members—particularly those from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities—are not just served but are driving decisions, shaping programs, and leading your organization.
Geographic Focus Matters: If you're not deeply rooted in one of the 12 priority communities (Boston neighborhoods, Cambridge, Chelsea, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Salem, or Taunton), you're unlikely to be competitive for major grants.
Long-Term Partnership Model: UWMB's shift to multi-year, unrestricted funding signals they want partners, not projects. They're looking for organizations they can invest in over time, providing the flexibility to adapt and respond to community needs.
Monitor for Future Opportunities: The Strategic Partnership program through 2030 is set, but UWMB continues to offer other grant programs and will likely open new application cycles. Stay connected via their website and mailing list.
Diversity of Organizational Types: UWMB funds everything from grassroots coalitions to large established organizations, from direct service to policy advocacy. What matters is alignment with their vision and values, not organizational size.
Competitive but Worth It: With a 32.5% success rate for Strategic Partnerships and multi-year unrestricted funding, these grants are highly competitive but offer exceptional stability and flexibility for successful applicants.

References

United Way of Massachusetts Bay official website: https://unitedwaymassbay.org (accessed November 2024)
"United Way Unveils Major Shift in Giving Strategy as Local Non-Profits Awarded $56M in New Grant Funding," United Way of Massachusetts Bay press release, October 26, 2023, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/news/united-way-unveils-major-shift-in-giving-strategy-as-local-non-profits-awarded-56m-in-new-grant-funding
"Community Action Grants," United Way of Massachusetts Bay, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/impact/cag (accessed November 2024)
"Here are the 124 organizations receiving United Way of Mass. Bay funding totaling $56M," ABCD Action for Boston Community Development, November 1, 2023, https://bostonabcd.org/2023/11/01/here-are-the-124-organizations-receiving-united-way-of-mass-bay-funding-totaling-56m/
"Strategic Partners," United Way of Massachusetts Bay, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/about/partners/strategic-partners (accessed November 2024)
"Board of Directors," United Way of Massachusetts Bay, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/about/board-of-directors (accessed November 2024)
"United Way of Massachusetts Bay Announces Marty Martinez as President and CEO," United Way of Massachusetts Bay press release, January 30, 2025, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/news/united-way-of-massachusetts-bay-announces-marty-martinez-as-president-and-ceo
"Marty Martinez Starts Role as President and CEO at United Way of Massachusetts Bay," United Way of Massachusetts Bay press release, March 2025, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/news/marty-martinez-starts-role-as-president-and-ceo-at-united-way-of-massachusetts-bay
"United Way of Massachusetts Bay launches online application for SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program," Mass Nonprofit News, November 2023, https://www.massnonprofit.org/news/united-way-of-massachusetts-bay-launches-online-application-for-safetynet-shelter-grant-program/
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, Charity Navigator profile, https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/042382233 (accessed November 2024)
United Way Of Massachusetts Bay Inc, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42382233 (accessed November 2024)
"State's Emergency Assistance Director and United Way of Massachusetts Bay Announce New Partnership to Support Safety Net Options for Homeless Families," Mass.gov press release, https://www.mass.gov/news/states-emergency-assistance-director-and-united-way-of-massachusetts-bay-announce-new-partnership-to-support-safety-net-options-for-homeless-families (accessed November 2024)
"About Us," United Way of Massachusetts Bay, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/about (accessed November 2024)
"Financial," United Way of Massachusetts Bay, https://unitedwaymassbay.org/about/financial (accessed November 2024)