Massachusetts households that earn too much to qualify for many public utility-aid programs may still have another option for help with home energy bills: The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund has opened its 2026-2027 "Give the Gift of Warmth" campaign, offering grants of up to $400 for eligible residents dealing with temporary financial hardship.
Here's what to know
Applications for the 2026-2027 campaign opened October 19. According to the Franklin Observer, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division administers the fund, which serves income-eligible residents not covered by state or federal energy-assistance programs.
To qualify, applicants must have gross household income between 60% and 80% of the Massachusetts state median and be ineligible for other state or federal energy-aid programs. Eligible households can receive up to $400 toward a monthly energy expense.
The program pays assistance directly to the household's energy provider and targets households that earn too much to qualify for certain programs but still struggle to pay a heating or utility bill after an unexpected financial setback.
Supporters of the program, including participating energy companies, nonprofit partners, state leaders, and community stakeholders, gathered for the campaign kickoff. National Grid and Eversource Energy together contributed more than $325,000 to the fund.
More background
During the 2025-2026 campaign, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund helped more than 1,250 households across the state with home energy expenses.
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Since the fund was established in 1985, it has raised more than $25.5 million and helped nearly 99,000 Massachusetts households.
Boston 25 News meteorologist Vicki Graf gave a winter weather outlook, and Melissa Lavinson, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Energy Transformation, delivered the keynote address.
What can be done?
The fund supports Massachusetts households that aren't eligible for state or federal energy assistance and are facing short-term financial trouble that leaves them unable to cover one month's energy costs.
Through residents' providers, grants of up to $400 are applied directly to a monthly energy bill.
At the kickoff event, representatives from participating energy companies presented their annual contributions, and customers, businesses, and individual donors also support the fund.
Residents can apply through their local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or Service Extension Unit. More information about eligibility, donations, and the program is available at magoodneighbor.org.
As Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund Chair Justin Stearns put it, "For more than four decades, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has helped fill an important gap for Massachusetts households facing an unexpected financial setback. Today's kickoff underscored the generosity of our sponsoring energy companies, their customers and supporters across the Commonwealth. Together, we are helping households keep up with essential energy costs when they need it most."
Where can I learn more?
Massachusetts residents looking for more ways to manage energy costs can find additional help in these stories. They cover winter heating aid, high heating-oil prices, and utility assistance events.
• Massachusetts renters and homeowners can access winter heating help before cold weather drives bills higher.
• Massachusetts households are bracing for a $2,627 heating-oil winter as Gov. Maura Healey seeks relief.
• In Brockton, National Grid customers can get bill help and payment options before shutoffs loom.
• Worcester County residents can seek in-person utility bill help as summer cooling costs climb.
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