United Way of Massachusetts Bay

United Way of Massachusetts Bay Creating change that lasts by focusing on two foundations of better lives: family financial stability & educational success.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay exists to build more equitable communities, together. With over 85 years of local impact in eastern Massachusetts, we work with and for our communities to build economic prosperity and enable everyone–across races and ethnicities–to share in the knowledge, wealth and resources available. We believe that the key to unlocking opportunity is uniting people, and we brin

g together individuals, community leaders, corporate partners, legislators and organizations to build a powerful engine of change. We fuel new ideas, develop programs and take innovative approaches to solve some of the region’s most entrenched and systemic inequities. With communities at the center of everything we do, we unlock avenues of prosperity that uplift those who have been marginalized, and create opportunity. We believe in the possibility of vibrant, abundant, prosperous, healthy and equitable future through the power of the united collective. Connect with us to give, volunteer, or learn more at unitedwaymassbay.org.

As part of United Way’s worldwide Day of Action, an annual global day of service that takes place on or around June 21 a...
06/23/2026

As part of United Way’s worldwide Day of Action, an annual global day of service that takes place on or around June 21 and mobilizes volunteers to strengthen communities, we hosted our own local Day of Action, bringing together a group of passionate young professionals to make a meaningful impact by packing 1.500 snack packs for kids in local summer programs. These packs will support partners including Madison Park Development Corporation, YMCA of Greater Boston, Youth Enrichment Services (YES), Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, helping kids stay nourished and supported all summer long. A big thank you to Gilbane Building for hosting us and supporting this day of impact.

Huge thanks to our incredible Emerging Leaders and all the volunteers who showed up and made this day possible 🙌 Your energy and commitment for giving back truly brought this effort to life.

Shoutout to the amazing teams from Cushman & Wakefield, , Construction, Associates, Greystar (International), The Architectural Team, , State Street, Procter & Gamble Gillette, THE U.S. CHARITABLE GIFT TRUST and Stanley Investment Management.
💙 We’re so grateful to have such a strong community stepping up for our neighbors.

Because when we come together, we make change happen. 💙

🎉 Celebrating Our Retiring Board MembersToday, we extend our deepest gratitude to an extraordinary group of leaders who ...
06/17/2026

🎉 Celebrating Our Retiring Board Members
Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to an extraordinary group of leaders who have completed their full board terms, marking an incredible 9 years of dedicated service.

Thank you to Liz Cheng, Pat Gilligan, Dan Griggs, Ellen Griggs, Pam Herbst, Rich Moche, and Sujata Yadav for everything you’ve given. Your time, perspective, and genuine commitment have shaped who we are today.

We’re excited to see what’s next for each of you.

👏 Join us in celebrating and thanking this amazing group!
📷 From left: Marty, Pam Herbst, Pat Gilligan, Magnolia Contreras (board chair), Rich Moche, and Liz Cheng.

🌟 Ninety years ago, United Way began as a grassroots effort, neighbors showing up for neighbors in times of need.Today, ...
06/17/2026

🌟 Ninety years ago, United Way began as a grassroots effort, neighbors showing up for neighbors in times of need.

Today, that spirit is needed more than ever. Across Massachusetts, families are working hard but still struggling to stay housed, access education, and build a better future.

To celebrate this legacy, we’re launching a $90,000 Matching Challenge in honor of our 90th anniversary🎉
Now through June 30, every dollar you give will be matched, doubling your impact.

Your gift supports economic mobility, housing stability, and educational opportunity in our community.
Help us reach our $90K goal 💙

Join the challenge: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vfu/90Match

💙🧡 “We had forgotten how good it feels to be together in person.” 💛♥️Last Friday, we presented our first in-person agenc...
06/15/2026

💙🧡 “We had forgotten how good it feels to be together in person.” 💛♥️

Last Friday, we presented our first in-person agency convening for our New Way Forward partners, hosted by InnerCity Weightlifting InnerCity Weightlifting, one of our partners.

ICW’s model connects people most impacted by systemic racism and incarceration to new networks, real career pathways, and opportunity.

More than 100 partners came together to share insights, explore emerging trends, and connect while building relationships and strengthening collaborative strategies that drive systemic change and community impact.

Beyond learning, we intentionally created space to simply be together, to reflect, connect, and support one another’s well-being, especially in this time of uncertainty.

There was real joy in being together, learning from one another, supporting each other, and recognizing that we can accomplish far more together than any one organization can alone.

Thank you to all of our partners who joined us and made the day so meaningful.

Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay's standing Federal Response Call, host...
06/12/2026

Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey joined United Way of Massachusetts Bay's standing Federal Response Call, hosted by our President and CEO Marty Martinez, which brings together nonprofit and community leaders to discuss the growing challenges facing our communities, and how we can collaborate, coordinate and respond, together.

The Governor shared how Massachusetts is working to respond to federal policy changes, prioritize residents who are vulnerable, and support communities facing increasing uncertainty. She highlighted how her administration is addressing food insecurity, protecting access to healthcare, supporting immigrant workers and their families, and increasing affordable and supportive housing across the Commonwealth.

We're grateful to Governor Healey for joining the conversation and to the hundreds of nonprofit leaders who continue to show up for our communities.

🤾🏽 ⛹🏽 🥎 Today at Boston Common, we joined a vibrant City of Boston celebration of the International Day of Play, alongsi...
06/11/2026

🤾🏽 ⛹🏽 🥎 Today at Boston Common, we joined a vibrant City of Boston celebration of the International Day of Play, alongside a range of organizations like LEGO, the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. United Way was proud to be part of the event, connecting with families and distributing preparedness kits supplied by Verizon through our "United We Prepare" initiative.

🔆 🌡️ Across Massachusetts, low-income communities are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat and other climate risks. In partnership with Verizon, we’re working to ensure families and childcare providers have the tools they need to stay safe, informed, and prepared.

Bringing this effort to a day centered on play-on a warm 85°F morning- allowed us to meet families where they are, with resources that support both immediate needs and long-term resilience. By pairing preparedness with play, we created an experience that felt accessible, supportive, and meaningful.

🚸We heard from family childcare providers who were grateful to receive these kits, knowing how important they are for keeping children safe and comfortable during summer play.

Stay up to date on our partnership and upcoming preparedness workshops here: https://bit.ly/49P7Oyw

What a night!Last Friday’s gala celebrating our 90th anniversary was a true highlight.Bringing together five former CEOs...
06/09/2026

What a night!
Last Friday’s gala celebrating our 90th anniversary was a true highlight.

Bringing together five former CEOs who have been part of our journey made the evening especially meaningful. We were proud to honor these leaders, whose work helped define our mission, expand our reach, and build the foundation for who we are today.

Marian L. Heard helped define United Way of Massachusetts Bay as it exists today, leading a period of bold growth and innovation and launching initiatives like Success By 6 that changed how we invest in children and families. Michael K. Durkin brought a deep commitment to tackling complex challenges, helping pioneer one of the country’s first Pay for Success efforts to reduce chronic homelessness while strengthening the partnerships that continue to sustain our work. Milton Little pushed the organization to rethink the role of corporate philanthropy, laying the groundwork for what has become a lasting platform for engaging the business community. And Bob Giannino led with urgency and focus, advancing a data-driven approach to addressing poverty and guiding the organization through a critical period of pandemic response that supported hundreds of thousands of households.

We were also proud to recognize this year’s honorees, who bring our work to life in different ways. Karen Holmes Ward has spent four decades at WCVB and as host of CityLine elevating community voices and ensuring the stories shaping our neighborhoods are seen and heard, including shining a consistent spotlight on our COVID Family Support Fund. Helen Chin Schlichte has been a force behind the scenes, shaping our direction through board leadership, bringing new voices to the table, and investing in our team, including creating a fund to support its growth. And P&G Gillette has shown what real corporate partnership looks like over time, consistently showing up through employee engagement, volunteerism, and support that has made a tangible difference for families across our region.

We were honored to be joined at the celebration by State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasury and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭. This milestone, more than anything, is about the people who helped build the path forward.

We’re grateful for our history and even more excited about what we’re building next, together.
Learn more about our 90 years of impact: https://bit.ly/3RYq5Dp

Just one week to go!Come give back, connect with fellow mission-driven young professionals, and make an impact with Unit...
06/09/2026

Just one week to go!
Come give back, connect with fellow mission-driven young professionals, and make an impact with United Way’s Emerging Leaders at a hands-on volunteer event, packing nutritious snacks for kids in local summer programs.

📅 Tuesday, June 16 | 3:00 PM
📍 Gilbane Building Company (10 Channel Center St, Boston)
⚽ Bonus: A soccer match will be streaming during the event!

Stick around afterward for a relaxed networking reception and the chance to build meaningful connections.

Sign up: https://unitedwayconnect.org/action

We hope to see you there!

90 Years of Impact | Story 3 of 5 Responding When Communities Need Us Most When crisis hits, communities don’t stand alo...
06/05/2026

90 Years of Impact | Story 3 of 5
Responding When Communities Need Us Most

When crisis hits, communities don’t stand alone. For 90 years, United Way has responded when communities face their hardest moments, from wartime to natural disasters to public health emergencies.
During World War II, the Community Fund of 1941 mobilized resources to support families at home, helping elevate the idea that communities thrive when people have what they need to succeed. Just one year later, staff and partner agencies moved quickly to support victims of the Cocoanut Grove fire, one of the deadliest disasters in Boston’s history.

That same spirit of rapid response continued decades later. During the Blizzard of 1978, United Way provided emergency funding to support displaced residents and assist disaster relief efforts across Greater Boston.

Over time, these moments built deep experience in mobilizing partners and funds quickly to meet urgent needs. When the COVID‑19 pandemic hit in 2020, United Way acted immediately, launching the COVID‑19 Family Support Fund to provide flexible financial assistance to families facing sudden hardship. In its first six months, the fund supported more than 300,000 households.

United Way ultimately raised $13.7 million from 14,000 donors and overall mobilized more than $40 million in pandemic recovery efforts.

Today, United Way’s response to crisis is being tested in real time. Through rapid federal response calls, SNAP coordination, and the United Response Fund, United Way is responding now, delivering material support and strengthening community during moments of systemic upheaval.

For 90 years, across political and natural disasters, and the wide range of needs they create, from immediate health impacts to longer‑term challenges like housing loss, United Way has built deep experience mobilizing funds and partners quickly, flexibly, and exactly where they are needed most.

Read the full story on our blog https://bit.ly/4vxKRrT and follow along as we continue sharing stories of impact.

06/05/2026

As we commemorate 90 years of impact, we are grateful to the Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll for her partnership in expanding access to safe and stable housing and food assistance. Through our joint efforts, including the United Response Fund, we were able to provide emergency food assistance to more than 300,000 households when a federal government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits. We appreciate her leadership and shared commitment to supporting families across the Commonwealth.

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9 Channel Center Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA
02210

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