GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — In 2021 the two United Ways of Franklin and Hampshire counties merged, enhancing resources to serve both communities. Over the past five years, United Way has continued to grow with this past year bringing the most success yet with their revenue and diaper donations. This July, United Way is awarding grants to partner agencies with $45,000 going to general partnerships and $85,000 to Health and Social Connectedness Aligned Impact partnerships.

From United Way:

United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region Celebrates Its
Five-Year Anniversary in July
NORTHAMPTON, MA, June 29, 2026 – This July, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region is celebrating its
fifth anniversary.
Prior to July of 2021, two separate United Ways served Franklin and Hampshire counties: United Way of Hampshire
County and United Way of Franklin County. On July 1, 2021, the two officially merged and became United Way of
the Franklin & Hampshire Region (UWFH). As stated in the original 2021 press release:
“Following 12+ months of thorough vetting and exploration, United Way of Hampshire County and United Way of
Franklin County have come together to form a new organization, effective July 1, 2021.
“United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region will continue to provide the support and services our
communities have come to rely on from United Way. As a single entity, the unified United Way will be better
positioned to meet the changing needs of our communities, having greater resources to utilize in our ongoing work
to create a strong, equitable and inclusive community, especially for our neediest.
“As evidenced by our experiences through the COVID pandemic, we need to be more responsive to evolving
regional needs, we need to be more agile when faced with unexpected challenges, and we need to adapt to
changes in donor interests and habits. A larger, more consistently staffed organization will allow for greater flexibility
and resources in the areas of programming and fundraising. As a merged organization, we can build our capacity to
have a larger collective impact on our greater community, and provide the stability needed to best support service
agencies and remain relevant.”
Over the past five years, UWFH has continued to grow. This past year has been UWFH’s most successful yet in
terms of overall revenue and diaper donations for the UWFH Diaper Bank. They currently also support a Digital
Navigation program (https://cas5-0-urlprotect.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fuw%2dfh.org%2fdigital%2dnavigators&umid=cdb36389-73e2-11f1-90f4-000d3a35f52c&rct=1782755338&auth=8789d1923baeef5cdc1c0bb41e7be32625ccae84-951e09007e7a612da049ce0dc890598fb59053cd), which provides free technical support and digital education
to Franklin County residents. At least some of UWFH’s success can be attributed to emergency campaigns like the
United Response Fund (created to counteract cuts to the SNAP food program last fall) and “The Diaper Deficit”
campaign back in April and May (to fill the gap created by a loss of funding and diapers for the federal pilot program
operated by the UWFH Diaper Bank).
The positive response to these efforts has been really encouraging. However, the fact that such campaigns were
deemed necessary at all just goes to show that the region’s needs are growing at a fast pace.
“In the five years since our merger, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region has grown stronger, more
resourceful, and more connected to the communities we serve. We’ve worked hard to show up as a real convener
and collaborative partner,” says Geoff Naunheim, UWFH President and CEO. “But the needs around us are growing
faster than we can keep up. Reduced government support, rising costs, and real economic uncertainty mean more
families are leaning on a safety net that’s been systematically eroded. Front-line nonprofits are being asked to do
more with much less. That’s not a sustainable trajectory for the community.”
Every year, UWFH secures multi-year partnerships with other local agencies to address the region’s most pressing
issues. Last year, $800,000 in grants were awarded to partners with programming focused on priority areas like
youth wellbeing and mental health, food security, economic security, and more. This July, UWFH is awarding grants
to partner agencies as part of its Healthy Communities priority area, which will run from 2026-2029. Each year
during that three-year period, $45,000 will go to general partnerships and $85,000 will go to Health & Social
Connectedness Aligned Impact partnerships.
$800,000 is a large sum, but it only covers a fraction of the requests for funding support. In fact, only about
one-sixth of requesting agencies will be awarded funds this year. This is yet another example of how our area’s
needs are dramatically outpacing even the best efforts to meet them.
General partnership recipients this year include Amherst Mobile Market, The Heartwing Center in Turner’s Falls,
Artspace in Greenfield, Hilltown Community Health Center in Worthington, and North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy in
Orange. Aligned Impact partnerships will be with Craig’s Doors in Amherst, It Takes a Village in Huntington, and
LaunchSpace in Orange. (Learn more about these and UWFH’s other agency partnerships at
https://cas5-0-urlprotect.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fuw%2dfh.org%2four%2dpartner%2dagencies&umid=cdb36389-73e2-11f1-90f4-000d3a35f52c&rct=1782755338&auth=8789d1923baeef5cdc1c0bb41e7be32625ccae84-029043145b30085ff83a009e0da5094c61e5126f.)
UWFH thanks local community members and businesses for their support, and for making it possible for the
organization to have a positive impact on the health and sense of social connectedness for people in the Franklin
and Hampshire region. And a very big thanks for all the support that the community has shown over the past five
years. Because of that, UWFH plans on being here for many more years to come.
About United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region
UWFH’s mission is to work in partnership with the local community to identify and address the region’s most
pressing issues. They inspire and engage individuals and organizations to invest together in overcoming those
challenges. Their vision is that all individuals and families should have equitable access to the tools and resources
designed to support their basic needs and ensure future successes. In doing so, UWFH helps build a strong,
vibrant, and inclusive community.
To donate, volunteer, or learn more about the organization, you can contact United Way of the Franklin &
Hampshire Region at (413) 584-3962 or visit https://cas5-0-urlprotect.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=www.uw%2dfh.org&umid=cdb36389-73e2-11f1-90f4-000d3a35f52c&rct=1782755338&auth=8789d1923baeef5cdc1c0bb41e7be32625ccae84-9693717ed9aa4ab692dd727c031cbe6e507944d1.