Meeting the Moment
In today’s rapidly changing environment, nonprofits face unprecedented challenges from federal funding cuts, delayed reimbursements, emerging policy changes and unexpected disruptions that can place essential services at risk. 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 Meeting the Moment.
Meeting the Moment supports unexpected and time-sensitive needs that require action before traditional grant cycles can respond. Through an ongoing application process and monthly funding decisions, the fund is designed to move resources quickly when organizations are facing urgent challenges that cannot wait for traditional funding timelines.
The fund is open to nonprofit organizations that have recently received support from one or more participating foundation partners, as determined by each funding partner. By building on the relationships, due diligence and trust already established through our collective grantmaking, Meeting the Moment is able to maintain a streamlined application and review process while still ensuring thoughtful stewardship of philanthropic resources.
Successful requests typically involve:
- Unexpected funding interruptions, reductions or delays.
- Emergencies impacting an organization’s ability to deliver services.
- Sudden changes in policy or funding that create immediate organizational challenges.
- Unanticipated facility, infrastructure or safety-related needs.
- Short-term stabilization needs tied to a specific event, circumstance or disruption.
The fund is intended to address needs that could not reasonably have been anticipated through an organization’s normal planning and budgeting process. Strong requests are tied to a clearly defined moment, demonstrate an immediate path to impact and identify a realistic strategy for addressing the broader challenge beyond the grant period.
Because awards are capped at $25,000, requests should demonstrate how the proposed funding will meaningfully address the immediate need. When challenges exceed the scope of a Meeting the Moment grant, applicants should identify how remaining needs will be addressed through other funding sources, organizational resources or planned next steps.
Meeting the Moment is not intended to support ongoing operational needs, recurring budget challenges, general program expansion or expenses that organizations could reasonably anticipate through their regular planning and budgeting processes.
For questions about how to use the online grants management system, please contact
Jacob Grande: [email protected] or 412.456.6743.
To apply for a Meeting the Moment rapid response grant, please register or log in to your United Way online grant system account and complete the eligibility quiz.
| Month | Cycle Closes |
| February | Feb. 27 |
| March | Mar. 27 |
| April | Apr. 24 |
| May | May 29 |
| June | Jun. 26 |
| July | Jul. 31 |
| August | Aug. 28 |
| September | Sept. 25 |
| October | Oct. 30 |
| November | Nov. 19 |
| December | Dec. 17 |
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 2026 Multi-Year Grant or a recent grant from The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, McAuley Ministries or Opportunity Fund.
- By building on the relationships, due diligence and trust already established through our collective grantmaking, Meeting the Moment is able to maintain a streamlined application and review process while still ensuring thoughtful stewardship of philanthropic resources.
- 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?
Successful requests typically involve:
- Unexpected funding interruptions, reductions or delays.
- Emergencies impacting an organization’s ability to deliver services.
- Sudden changes in policy or funding that create immediate organizational challenges.
- Unanticipated facility, infrastructure or safety-related needs.
- Short-term stabilization needs tied to a specific event, circumstance or disruption.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Bridge support to keep essential program activities running during a short-term unexpected funding disruption.
- Support for legal counsel to do a risk assessment.
- 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].