Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City Partner with National Grid Foundation on New Community-Designed Energy Initiative

Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City Partner with National Grid Foundation on New Community-Designed Energy Initiative

Feb 19, 2026| Blog, Blog Featured Articles, Impact, News, News Featured Articles

(February 17, 2026 - New York, NY) - Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City today announced a new, multi-year energy equity initiative in partnership with the National Grid Foundation that will support community-designed solutions to energy affordability challenges for residents in Brooklyn and Queens.

The initiative takes a co-design approach, prioritizing strategies shaped by the lived experiences of residents most affected by high energy burdens, housing instability, and barriers to accessing assistance. Rather than relying on traditional top-down program models, Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City will work alongside trusted community-based organizations to design and implement outreach, education, and support efforts that reflect neighborhood needs and realities.In Brooklyn, Brooklyn Org will lead the Brooklyn Energy Initiative, a 24-month partnership with the National Grid Foundation that strengthens Brooklyn's workforce, stabilizes energy-burdened households, and expands community access to transparent, trusted information about the borough's evolving energy landscape. The initiative will focus on two key areas:

• The Future of Energy will provide eight nonprofits with $50,000 each to prepare young adults and early-career workers for STEM and energy-related careers. Grantees will provide technical training, green-skills development, job-readiness programming, and direct exposure to energy systems through Energy Hub Site Visits coordinated with National Grid.
• The Future of Homes will provide six nonprofits with $50,000 each to work directly with Brooklyn residents facing the highest energy burdens and poorest housing conditions, as well as working with communities helping them to navigate and understand energy efficiency. Funding will include support for emergency heating assistance, energy efficiency and retrofitting, and community conversations that help residents understand local resources.

In Queens, United Way of New York City will lead the Powering Possibility in Queens Fund to build a learning-centered approach that partners with trusted service providers already working with energy-burdened households. The initiative will include convenings, ongoing community feedback, and shared learning to identify effective strategies and persistent barriers to accessing energy assistance.

• This fund, in coordination with National Grid Foundation's local partners, will collaborate with community-based organizations to deliver direct financial assistance to households in Queens and provide energy navigation, education, and connections to relief programs.

"This initiative reflects what we know to be true - the most effective solutions are shaped by the communities closest to the challenges," said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. "We are grateful to continue our partnership with the National Grid Foundation in this new program, working together to invest in community-based nonprofits that are strengthening energy stability, workforce pathways, and long-term equity across the borough."

"This initiative is about more than utilities-it is about dignity and the opportunity to thrive. Across New York City, in this case in Queens, far too many hardworking families are forced to make impossible choices between paying household bills, putting food on the table, or covering the rent. This critical effort represents meaningful progress, and we are proud to partner with the National Grid Foundation in advancing this important work," said Kanchana Suggu, Senior Vice President, Chief Impact Officer at United Way of New York City. "Partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when the public and private sectors come together with trusted community-based organizations to deliver innovative solutions and empower our most vulnerable neighbors."

"One of our key pillars is delivering essential energy support and information for families to help them access the resources they need, especially those hardest hit by the affordability crisis," said Dr. Robert Simmons, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation. "Our co-design approach with Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City will amplify community awareness, ensuring that families in need know where to turn for help."

"Nonprofits are the heartbeat of our communities and our partnership with Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City will deliver essential energy resources to reach more families in need," said Don Lowery, Board Chair of the National Grid Foundation. "Affordability is a crisis and the National Grid Foundation is responding with targeted approaches and increased funding. Recently we raised our endowment distribution from five percent to seven percent to help bolster local organizations in our grantmaking area."

This initiative builds on the National Grid Foundation's longstanding commitment to addressing energy affordability and supporting community-based partners, while reflecting a shared belief that the most effective solutions are developed in close collaboration with the communities they serve.

National Grid Foundation is supporting community-driven energy affordability efforts throughout the Northeast, working with United Way partners and local nonprofits to co-develop programs to help residents access energy assistance programs.

About Brooklyn Org
Brooklyn Org is a champion for Brooklyn bringing together community changemakers to be a new model for local philanthropy, built from the ground up, in pursuit of a more equitable and just borough. Since its founding in 2009, Brooklyn Org has moved over $150 million to nonprofits through its strategic grantmaking and Donor Advised Funds, while driving action to address urgent crises and long-term change in Brooklyn. Learn more at brooklyn.org.

About National Grid Foundation
National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life in local communities by supporting programs that address education, the environment and other local priorities. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families, and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has granted more than $43 million to local community organizations. The Foundation is an independent charitable arm of National Grid, helping advance the company's Grid for Good social impact community engagement initiative, dedicated to making a positive difference in local communities through three guiding pillars - increasing access to affordable energy, developing the energy workforce and supporting community resilience.

About United Way of New York City
United Way of New York City works with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility, working at the intersection of government, private, and public partners to make a positive impact in our communities. We meet today's most urgent needs while building transformative solutions for tomorrow by coordinating and aligning service providers, companies, local government, and New Yorkers to help families eliminate barriers and gain the agency to improve their lives for the better. Last year, United Way of New York City partnered with other organizations to deliver 15 million pounds of food, offer 5,000 free preventative health screenings, deliver 75,000 books to families in NYC, and offer mental health services to system-involved individuals and their families. Our focus is to empower all New Yorkers to thrive with dignity. Learn more at unitedwaynyc.org.