Meeting the Moment
In today’s rapidly changing environment, nonprofits face unprecedented challenges from federal funding cuts, emerging crises and evolving community needs. Traditional grant-making timelines often cannot match the urgency these situations demand. In partnership with The Heinz Endowments,
The Pittsburgh Foundation, McAuley Ministries and Opportunity Fund, United Way is taking a collective approach to addressing these emergent needs through our Meeting the Moment funding opportunity.
Meeting the Moment offers a rolling application process, with monthly review and award cycles to ensure timely support. These rapid response grants allow organizations to act quickly and effectively, enhancing their ability to serve the community and adapt to changing circumstances.
Meeting the Moment grants seek to alleviate the burden of challenges facing nonprofits and are meant to be reserved for time‑sensitive, last‑resort needs where a delay in support would directly interrupt essential services. Funds are intended to help organizations respond to staff and community needs related to a natural disaster, community trauma, policy change or other local emergency. Funding is not meant to enhance or expand current programming, support general capital expenses or provide salary increases.
For questions about this application, please contact Sara Noel: [email protected] or 412.456.6736.
For questions about how to use the online grants management system, please contact
Jacob Grande: [email protected] or 412.456.6743.
Who is eligible to receive Meeting the Moment Funding?
- Nonprofit organizations that have 501(c)3 status (or a fiscal sponsor).
- Recipient of a United Way 2023 Impact Grant or a recent (since 2023) grant from The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, McAuley Ministries or Opportunity Fund.
- Organizations must provide services within United Way’s five county footprint of Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
- We will give preference to organizations with operating budgets under $10 million.
What kinds of organizations can be funded through this grant?
- Human services, arts, and movement‑based organizations that also meet the broader eligibility requirements outlined in the program—such as holding 501(c)(3) status (or having a fiscal sponsor), providing services within the five‑county region, and having received a recent grant from United Way or one of its funding partners.
What kinds of things can be funded through this grant?
Organizations may apply for funding to address emergent community needs resulting from federal or state funding cuts, policy changes and emerging crises. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Bridge support to keep essential program activities running during an unexpected funding disruption.
- Support for legal counsel to do a risk assessment.
- Safety or security needs.
- Mental health support or training for staff.
- Temporary staffing or overtime to maintain critical service coverage during a disruption.
- Emergency program supplies directly tied to the disruption.
- Short‑term facility needs required to avoid closure or unsafe conditions due to an emergency or sudden change in requirements. Applicant must demonstrate that this need did not occur because of the deferral of normal maintenance to equipment or facility.
- Critical communications and outreach to notify clients and partners about service changes caused by the disruption (e.g., multilingual alerts, hotline coverage) not general marketing.
- Compliance or mandate costs triggered by policy change (e.g., required background checks, clearances, or mandated training implemented on short notice).
How often can an organization apply for funding?
- Eligible organizations can apply on a rolling basis beginning Feb. 2, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026. However, to ensure equitable distribution and maintain capacity for urgent needs across the region, organizations may receive only one Meeting the Moment grant per calendar year.
Is there a maximum grant size for Meeting the moment?
- We encourage requests of all sizes up to $25,000.
If our organization anticipates a funding disruption, can we apply before the disruption occurs?
- Yes, organizations may apply proactively if there is documented confirmation that a disruption is imminent.
Can we use the grant to reimburse costs already incurred?
- Eligible costs incurred within the past 60 days related to the emergent need may be considered.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions about Meeting the Moment funding?
Please contact Sally Ellwein at [email protected] or Sara Noel at [email protected].