United Way of Massachusetts Bay Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $38.6 million
Success Rate: 32.5% (Strategic Partnership grants)
Grant Range: $15,000 - $100,000
Geographic Focus: 12 priority communities in Massachusetts Bay region
Application Method: Mixed (varies by program - rolling basis for some, fixed cycles for others)

Contact Details

Address: 51 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA
Phone: 617-624-8000
Website: unitedwaymassbay.org
Email: Available through contact page at unitedwaymassbay.org/contact

For program-specific inquiries, check individual grant program pages on their website.

Overview

Founded in 1879, United Way of Massachusetts Bay Inc (EIN: 04-2382233) has undergone a significant strategic transformation, evolving from a traditional United Way model to a systems-change focused organization dedicated to economic justice. In 2023, the organization announced a major shift in its giving strategy, awarding $56 million over seven years (through 2030) to 124 local organizations. With annual grant distributions of approximately $38.6 million, United Way of Massachusetts Bay has moved away from providing support in exchange for programmatic outcomes to providing support in exchange for a shared commitment to advancing economic justice through systems change. The organization focuses on communities with the greatest need across the Massachusetts Bay area, serving 12 priority communities that are home to two-thirds of individuals living below the poverty threshold in their geographic footprint. In 2025, Marty Martinez began his role as President and CEO, bringing over 25 years of experience working on behalf of children and families in Greater Boston.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Strategic Partnership Grants: Multi-year unrestricted funding through 2030 (current cohort selected in 2023)

Grant range: Typically $15,000 - $100,000 annually
The current cycle awarded $8 million annually to 124 organizations through 2030
This was United Way's first-ever open application process, translated into seven languages
35% of new partners are led by Black or Latino leaders (increased from 24% in previous portfolio)
Application method: Fixed cycle (next application cycle not yet announced)

Community Action Grants: One-year unrestricted grants

Grant amount: $15,000 per award
Awards made to local coalitions and grassroots organizations
Application method: Fixed cycles (check website for current availability)

SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program: Emergency shelter funding

Administered in partnership with Massachusetts Emergency Assistance
$5 million grant program to provide funding for short-term overnight shelter sites
First award made to Catholic Charities Boston within weeks of program launch in November 2023
Application method: Rolling basis with urgent review

United Response Fund: Emergency relief funding

Up to $50,000 for Partner Stabilization and Family Emergency Financial Assistance (FEFA)
Fast, flexible relief for families facing crisis
Application method: Applications accepted through their website

Priority Areas

United Way of Massachusetts Bay focuses on five interconnected areas essential to economic prosperity:

Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building: Financial and employment systems that respond to community voice and address the racial wealth gap
Early Education and Care: Quality, affordable early education and out-of-school time programs
Youth Pathways: Education and career pathways for marginalized youth and young adults, particularly disconnected youth
Housing Stability: A continuum of housing opportunities, resources, and supports for safe and stable housing
Disaster Relief: Strengthening community response in times of tragedy

Geographic Focus: 12 priority communities - Boston (citywide with emphasis on Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, Roxbury, South Boston), Cambridge, Chelsea, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Salem, and Taunton

Leadership and Equity: Priority given to organizations with BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ leadership, organizations serving non-English or limited English speaking communities, and historically underserved populations

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not extensively documented, United Way focuses exclusively on organizations working within their 12 priority communities and aligned with their economic justice mission. Organizations outside these geographic areas or not addressing their five key impact areas are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

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

Marty Martinez brings over 25 years of experience working on behalf of children and families in Greater Boston. His professional background includes serving as CEO of national nonprofit Reach Out and Read and as the City of Boston's Chief of Health and Human Services.

Key Leadership Quotes:

On the organization's mission: "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," Martinez said.

On organizational purpose: "United Way and its network of community-based organizations were built for the urgent work needed now to ensure our partners have the resources they need to serve families and the workforce that power healthy and prosperous communities."

Board Chair: Tammi Wortham

Wortham described Martinez as "a visionary leader who is poised to lead United Way of Massachusetts Bay as it uplifts solutions from communities, mobilizes the resources necessary to fund them, and advocates to scale what's working."

The organization employs a community-centered governance model, having enlisted 24 community members who were compensated for their participation in forming recommendations on grant recipients during the 2023 Strategic Partnership grant cycle.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Strategic Partnership Grants: The current cohort (2023-2030) has already been selected. Future application cycles have not yet been announced. Monitor the United Way of Massachusetts Bay website at unitedwaymassbay.org for updates on the next Request for Partnership application.

When the application opened in 2023, it was:

Available to any eligible 501(c)(3) in the region
Translated into seven languages to increase accessibility
Open and transparent (first time in organization's history)

Community Action Grants: Applications are accepted during specific grant cycles. Check unitedwaymassbay.org/impact/cag for current application availability and deadlines.

SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program: Applications accepted on a rolling basis through their online portal at uwmbmlh.smapply.io

United Response Fund: Applications available at unitedwaymassbay.org/united-response/apply

Decision Timeline

Strategic Partnership Grants: The 2023 cycle received 382 applications, with 220 moving to community review, ultimately selecting 124 recipients. Specific timeline from application to decision was not publicly documented, though the entire process took several months.

SafetyNet Shelter Grant Program: Applications reviewed with urgency on a rolling basis. The first grant was awarded to Catholic Charities Boston within weeks of the program launch in November 2023.

Other Programs: Decision timelines vary by program. Contact United Way directly for specific program timelines.

Success Rates

Strategic Partnership Grants: Approximately 32.5% success rate (124 awards from 382 applications), making this a highly competitive program offering multi-year unrestricted funding.

Community Action Grants: For the recent cycle, United Way received 167 applications (99 grassroots and 68 collective action applications) for 16 available grants totaling $255,000, representing approximately a 10% success rate.

These highly competitive rates reflect the organization's significant strategic shift and their commitment to long-term partnerships focused on economic justice and systems change.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact United Way of Massachusetts Bay directly through their website contact form or by calling 617-624-8000 for guidance on when and how to reapply for specific grant programs.

Application Success Factors

United Way of Massachusetts Bay's 2023 strategic shift provides clear signals about what they prioritize:

Essential Alignment Factors:

Economic Justice Focus: Organizations must share United Way's vision of economic justice and demonstrate commitment to addressing systemic inequities, not just temporary fixes. As they describe their evolution: moving "from providing support in exchange for programmatic outcomes to providing support in exchange for a shared commitment to advancing economic justice through systems change."
BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Leadership: Applications are strengthened by having BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ leadership driving the work. The 2023 cohort saw 35% of new partners led by Black or Latino leaders, an intentional increase from 24%.
Community Voice: United Way emphasizes "centering community voice" in their work. They compensated 24 community members to participate in grant review decisions, signaling their commitment to community-led solutions.
Geographic Focus: Organizations must center their impact in at least one of the 12 priority communities (Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Taunton).

Priority Populations and Approaches:

Organizations serving low-income, non-English or limited English speaking communities
Organizations serving historically underserved populations
Experience serving populations experiencing homelessness (for shelter grants)
Well-supported collaboratives with connections to resources and services
Coalition-focused and community-focused initiatives led by residents

Examples of Funded Work: Recent Strategic Partnership grant recipients include:

Maverick Landing Community Services (multi-service organization in East Boston)
New England United 4 Justice (promoting social, economic, and racial justice)
Catholic Charities Boston (first SafetyNet Shelter Grant recipient)
UTEC, La Colaborativa, Urban Edge, Horizons for Homeless Children
Grassroots organizations like Mothers for Justice & Equality
Early education providers like Nurtury and Root Ellis Early Learning

Systems Change Language: United Way emphasizes sustainable solutions over temporary fixes. Strong applications should articulate how the work addresses root causes of economic injustice, creates systemic change, and builds long-term capacity rather than providing only short-term relief.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Unrestricted funding philosophy: United Way has shifted to providing unrestricted, multi-year support to partners who share their economic justice mission—emphasize organizational capacity and systems-change approach over specific program outcomes
Highly competitive but substantial: With a 32.5% success rate for Strategic Partnerships and approximately 10% for Community Action Grants, applications must be exceptionally strong, but successful applicants receive multi-year unrestricted funding
Leadership and equity matter: Having BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ leadership is a significant factor; 35% of 2023 grantees are led by Black or Latino leaders, representing an intentional increase
Geographic specificity required: Must center impact in one of 12 priority communities; generic regional applications won't succeed
Community voice is central: United Way compensated community members to review grants—demonstrate authentic community engagement and leadership in your application
Monitor for next Strategic Partnership cycle: The current $56M commitment runs through 2030; watch their website for announcements about the next major funding cycle, which represents their most significant opportunity
Consider multiple pathways: While Strategic Partnerships are closed, SafetyNet Shelter grants operate on rolling basis, and other opportunities emerge—stay connected to United Way to learn about new initiatives

References

Accessed: December 2025