National Grid and the National Grid Foundation today (Jan 20) announced a $5 million statewide initiative to provide affordability assistance for Massachusetts customers over the next two years. The funds will be administered by community partners and will help seniors and income-eligible households manage energy costs and improve energy affordability through new resources, enhanced community outreach, and weatherization services. The efforts will:
- Provide up to $400 in emergency energy bill assistance for Massachusetts households that fall outside state aid eligibility.
- Drive enrollment in energy affordability programs through increased community outreach to seniors and income-eligible populations.
- Fund targeted initiatives through weatherization and preventive strategies to reduce long-term energy insecurity.
Over the next two years, National Grid and the National Grid Foundation will work with several community organizations, including local United Way affiliates, The Good Neighbor Energy Fund administered by the Salvation Army, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to deploy community programs that will help households with winter energy costs. In addition, the Foundation will convene a cohort of community-based organizations to co-design best-practice approaches for outreach and innovative initiatives focused on energy affordability to increase enrollment in heating assistance programs such as National Grid's discount rate, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, and related partner offerings for hard-to-reach, energy-burdened communities.
"Affordability is at the heart of everything we do, and we understand the real affordability challenges families face in Massachusetts," said Lisa Wieland, President of National Grid New England. "Through innovative partnerships and community-driven solutions, like energy bill assistance and weatherization support, National Grid is meeting seniors and income-eligible families where they are to stay safe, warm, and financially secure through the toughest months of the year."
"Our co-design approach with community-based organizations will amplify community awareness, ensuring that seniors and families in need know where to turn for help," said Robert Simmons, Vice President, National Grid Social Impact & Community Engagement and Executive Director, National Grid Foundation. "By uniting our Massachusetts and Foundation teams with our trusted community partners we will deliver essential energy support and information for families, providing a lasting impact."
Initiative Highlights include:
United Way Central Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bay, and affiliates
In early 2026, partners will meet with nonprofit networks to establish engagement plans for the highest energy burdened municipalities in Massachusetts. Across the remainder of this heating season, United Way partners will help seniors and income-eligible households enroll in discounted rates, arrearage forgiveness, and budget billing plans and will share information through community events, senior centers, immigrant networks, and local partner organizations.
Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund (Salvation Army of Massachusetts)
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund will continue to support eligible residents throughout the 2026 heating season. The program provides up to $400 per season for households with incomes between 60 percent and 80 percent of the state median income, with payments made directly to utility providers to ensure timely support during the winter months.
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
The Greater Worcester Community Foundation will begin work in 2026 to expand access to weatherization services and energy assistance enrollment for Worcester County families. Activities will include outreach to homeowners and renters, with a particular focus on those who fall outside Mass Save requirements. Throughout the year, the Foundation will coordinate with municipalities across Worcester County and support organizations such as libraries, senior centers, and Meals on Wheels providers to assist residents, including renters, in enrolling in available assistance programs.
Co-design Partners
Recognizing that lack of awareness and program access are major barriers for energy-burdened communities, the National Grid Foundation will partner with trusted community organizations to develop targeted, grassroots initiatives addressing complex energy affordability needs across Massachusetts. Through an iterative process, partners will identify best practices for engaging these communities and connecting them to support programs. Based on these insights, they will design initiatives to improve outreach and access to services for income-eligible customers.
"Our United Way's partnership with National Grid is more than a century strong," said Tim Garvin, President and CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts. "Every year this partnership is innovative, collaborative, and filled with compassion. These energy assistance awards are life-essential and life-saving. These awards and this partnership is a beautiful way to build and strengthen community together. Thank you National Grid!"
"Rising costs of housing, healthcare, food and utilities are particularly challenging for seniors who are living on fixed incomes and vulnerable households," said Marty Martinez, President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay. "United Way is proud to partner with National Grid and mobilize our network of nonprofit organizations in communities where households, particularly with older adults, are spending a disproportionate amount of their income on energy costs. National Grid's generous commitment to United Way will help raise awareness about how seniors and vulnerable households can access energy assistance programs so they can prioritize their health and wellbeing with dignity."
"For many families across the Commonwealth, managing rising energy costs can be a real challenge," said Major Everett Henry, Divisional Leader of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. "This investment from National Grid and the National Grid Foundation strengthens the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, allowing The Salvation Army to work alongside communities statewide to prevent shutoffs, ease financial pressure, and help neighbors remain safely in their homes."
"We are grateful to partner with National Grid and the National Grid Foundation on this important statewide initiative," said Pete Dunn, President & CEO of Greater Worcester Community Foundation. "This funding will enable us to work with local nonprofits and community organizations to help more families in Worcester County access important weatherization services and energy assistance."
Additional Customer Assistance Resources
Customers can learn about additional affordability programs including opportunities to reduce energy use, discount rate programs, balanced billing and other resources at National Grid's "Here for You" website. Customers can also attend Customer Assistance Events, where they can meet with National Grid representatives for personalized support.
National Grid's social impact and community engagement initiative helps to inspire growth and meaningful change for customers through three key pillars including affordable energy - increasing access to affordable energy for those not able to meet their basic needs, from funds and energy efficiency resources through to energy literacy. To learn more about National Grid's community work and social impact and community engagement initiatives visit Grid for Good | National Grid.
About National Grid Foundation
National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life across its grant making territory. The Foundation's ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families, and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has granted more than $43 million to local community organizations. For more information, please visit our website.
About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We're committed to meeting our customers' energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our corporate investment and innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are transforming the energy sector and accelerating industry-wide innovation.
Media Contacts
Christine Milligan
Massachusetts
(781) 907-3980
