A collective funding effort hosted by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
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, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is taking a collective approach to addressing these emergent needs through the Meeting the Moment rapid response grant program.
Launched in February 2026, Meeting the Moment rapid response grants provide support to keep essential services running during natural disasters, community crises, policy changes, and other local emergencies. These grants are reserved for time‑sensitive, last‑resort needs where a delay in support would directly interrupt essential services.
If your organization is facing these challenges we encourage you to apply for a Meeting the Moment grant. Applications are reviewed on a monthly rolling basis. The next application cycles close July 31 and August 28, 2026.
To Apply for a Meeting the Moment Grant:
- Visit https://unitedwayswpa.org/grant-opportunities/meeting-the-moment/
- Register for a United Way online grant system account, or log in to your existing account
- Complete the Meeting the Moment Eligibility Quiz
Please reach out to Sara Noel at Sara.Noel [at] unitedwayswpa.org if you have questions about the application process.
Meeting the Moment 2026 Grant Recipients (as of July 13, 2026)
FEBRUARY 2026
Catapult Greater Pittsburgh ($25,000) Bridge Support for Catapult Greater Pittsburgh’s Essential Services
Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens ($25,000) YBMKQ University Emergency Stabilization and Continuity Support
YouthPlaces ($15,000) YouthPlaces After School Meal Program
MARCH 2026
Ayudate Incorporated ($25,000) Mental Health in Spanish
Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP) ($20,000) Immediate Support for Immigrant and Refugee Community
Creative Citizen Studios ($20,000) Creative Citizen Studios Programming
I AM FOUNDATION ($20,000) Stabilizing Homewood: Rapid Harm Reduction Response
Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse ($8,000) Virtual Therapeutic Arts Activities for Latino Community of Pittsburgh
Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment ($25,000) Recognizing Everything Ain’t Done Yet (WAVE’s READY PROGRAM)
Women for a Healthy Environment ($20,000) Environmental Health Program Stabilization Following Facility Damage
APRIL 2026
Pittsburgh Conservation Corps (D/B/A Landforce) ($25,000) Landforce Financial Stabilization and Planning
The Open Door, Inc ($25,000) Bridge Support for Staffing Needs
MAY 2026
Café Momentum Pittsburgh ($25,000) Maintaining Continuity of Care for Justice-Impacted Youth
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA ($12,000) Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania/Fayette Safe House Updates
Ebenezer Outreach Ministries ($25,000) EOM Pharmacy Technician Workforce Training Program; Neighborhood Learning Alliance Summer Youth Program; Learn & Earn Summer Youth Program
Fayette County Community Action Agency Inc ($25,000) FCCAA Aging Department Meeting the Moment Project
Latino Community Center (LCC) ($25,000) Emergency Basic Needs Assistance & Youth Outreach
Mosaic Community Development Center ($7,500) MCDC Summer Transportation Bridge Initiative
JUNE 2026
Bridge to the Mountains ($25,000) Emergency Support for Street Outreach
Civically, Inc. ($20,000) Safe to Serve Security Upgrades
Garfield Community Farm ($25,000) Wicklow Street 160’ Retaining Wall Rebuild
