Fighting fuel poverty in the UK and Northeast US
Being able to heat and power your home is an essential part of life in both the UK and Northeast US, especially during winters which can range from cold to well below freezing. But when facing financial pressures, and with the increased cost of living, it can be difficult to meet energy bills.
As we work to bring cleaner and more affordable energy to everyone, we’re tackling fuel poverty right now.
Supporting charitable organisations to help those facing fuel poverty
Just some of the actions undertaken by the organisations we’ve partnered with include:
- providing emergency financial relief to households with pre-payment energy meters
- funding energy efficiency measures to help lower bills
- providing advisory services for households that need help with energy bills and debts
- implementing other ways to support those who need it most.
In the US we launched a $10 million energy support fund in the winter of 2025-26 to help alleviate financial distress caused by rising energy costs. The funding, which was set up to run over the following two years, will result in significant donations to organisations working on the front line of the energy crisis.
Our UK Grid for Good Energy Affordability Fund is a £10.5 million, three-year programme. More than 16,000 homes will receive practical assistance, advice and relief in the first year.
Organisations we’re working with
Our US partners:
Brooklyn Org – Brooklyn Energy Initiative
Funded by the National Grid Foundation, Brooklyn Org is implementing its Brooklyn Energy Initiative which will grow the area’s energy workforce, support households facing high energy costs and deepen community energy education.
The initiative redistributes grants to local nonprofits, hosts borough-wide convenings, and maintains an innovation challenge that funds neighbourhood-led efficiency projects. The voices of Brooklyn residents shape solutions.
United Way of New York City – Powering Possibility in Queens Fund
Also supported by the National Grid Foundation, United Way of New York City is deploying the Powering Possibility in Queens Fund. This will deliver direct financial assistance to roughly 500 households in Queens, New York, while providing energy navigation, education and connections to relief programs for an additional 500+ households.
United Way NYC’s deep knowledge of community needs makes it a natural co-design partner that helps ensure programs reach the most energy-burdened families.
Massachusetts: Community-Driven Energy Assistance
In January 2026, alongside the National Grid Foundation, we announced a $5 million statewide initiative in Massachusetts to provide affordability assistance for customers over the next two years to help seniors and income-eligible households manage energy costs and improve energy affordability through new resources, enhanced community outreach and weatherization services.
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Funded by National Grid plc, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation will work in 2026 to expand access to weatherization services and energy assistance enrolment for Worcester County families, with a particular focus on those falling outside Mass Save requirements.
The Foundation will coordinate with municipalities across Worcester County and support organizations such as libraries, senior centers and Meals on Wheels providers to assist residents and renters with enrolling in available assistance programs.
Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund (Salvation Army of Massachusetts)
This fund will continue to support eligible residents throughout the 2026 heating season. The program provides up to $400 per season for households with incomes between 60-80% of the state median income, with payments made directly to utility providers to ensure timely support during the winter months. By targeting families that fall outside traditional state aid eligibility, a critical gap in the energy assistance landscape gets filled.
Our UK partners:
The National Energy Foundation
The National Energy Foundation offers advice and guidance on lowering energy bills and delivers practical solutions to make homes warmer. Its projects bring warmth and comfort to people’s homes, while also cutting the costs of their bills.
Find out more about The National Energy Foundation
The Fuel Bank Foundation
Having a prepayment meter without money to top it up means living without heat and light. The Fuel Bank Foundation provides emergency financial support and advice to UK households that are in fuel crisis.
Find out more about The Fuel Bank Foundation
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential guidance across a wide range of issues, including how to get help with your energy bills. It supports thousands of households each day with energy-related problems, helping people navigate billing issues, energy debt, prepayment meter challenges and complaints. It also conducts real-time research into the problems facing energy customers, using this insight to influence policy and improve protections for people at risk of fuel poverty.
Affordable Warmth Solutions
One of the most effective solutions available to sustainably reduce energy costs, both for this winter and in the future, is to make homes more energy efficient. Affordable Warmth Solutions provides new, free home insulation and other energy efficiency measures to low-income households which don’t qualify for government programmes.
Find out more about Affordable Warmth Solutions
National Energy Action
National Energy Action directly supports people with energy and income advice, as well as advocating on issues that include improving the energy efficiency of homes. It undertakes research, shares insights and develops accredited training and qualifications to improve standards of energy advice.
Find out more about National Energy Action
Centre for Sustainable Energy
The Centre for Sustainable Energy supports communities to reduce energy bills, stay warm and act on climate change. It provides free, practical energy advice, helps households struggling with cold homes and works with local partners to improve energy efficiency and alleviate fuel poverty across the UK.
Find out more about the Centre for Sustainable Energy
National Grid Community Matters support fund
An estimated 830,000 people have already benefitted from our own support fund ‘Community Matters’, which assists a range of local grassroots organisations to provide help to those in need across the Midlands, South West and South Wales – the regions served by our electricity distribution network.
Since launching, the Community Matters Fund has awarded £11.3 million to nearly 1,900 organisations. In the 2025 financial year, £500,000 supported fuel poverty projects, including the distribution of almost 4,000 warm packs to households in need. A further £500,000 funded programmes that inspire young people to explore STEM pathways, alongside wider skills and employment initiatives.
Other phases of the fund have helped to combat loneliness and social isolation and to address the issue of holiday hunger for families during the summer holidays, particularly those relying on free school meals in term time.