Grass Valley, CA – September 12, 2025 — United Way of Nevada County (UWNC) is proud to announce the launch of the Nevada County Emergency Fund, on September 15, 2025. This local community initiative is designed to provide short-term financial assistance to low-income individuals and families in Nevada County who are confronting urgent, unanticipated expenses that threaten their basic well-being.
“We started this fund with $20,000 in donations from our generous donors. We have already fielded 10 phone calls this week for help, so our goal is to raise an additional $20,000 before the end of the year,” said Louise Reed, Executive Director.
Each week, UWNC hears from hardworking members of our community facing stark trade-offs — between repairing a car and paying rent, between keeping the lights on and feeding their family. One unexpected expense can push someone already living on the edge of poverty into crisis. The Emergency Fund aims to step in during these moments, offering a lifeline when help is needed most.
To qualify for assistance, applicants must reside in Nevada County; demonstrate a critical, one-time need; and show that they have already pursued other community or government resources. All applicants must be referred by a trusted partner, such as the County of Nevada, Connecting Point/211 or local non-profits.
The Emergency Fund is designed to fill urgent gaps—not to solve long-standing problems. Examples of eligible uses include:
- Vehicle repairs needed to maintain employment
- Rental deposits for securing housing
- Replacement of essential household appliances
- An unusually high utility bill
- Other emergency costs that affect health, safety, or basic well-being.
The Nevada County Emergency Fund aligns deeply with United Way of Nevada County’s mission to equitably direct community resources toward local needs—helping ensure that individuals and families can maintain stability amid unexpected setbacks.
About United Way of Nevada County
United Way of Nevada County (UWNC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving lives by equitably directing community resources to meet local needs. Serving both Nevada and Sierra Counties, UWNC works through partnerships and mobilizes volunteers to address basic needs—such as food, health, safety, and income stability. The Nevada County Emergency Fund joins existing gap-filling e^orts like Food Access Saturday, the School Pantry Program, Disaster Preparedness initiatives, and Project Warmth as part of our broader mission to empower individuals and families to thrive.
How to Access the Fund
Service providers, county officials, and trusted partners can help eligible clients in urgent need fill out the application or refer them to the Nevada County Emergency Fund application on our website https://uwnc.org/emergency-fund.
Support the Emergency Fund:
This emergency fund marks a significant expansion of UWNC’s mission-driven support— offering a timely, targeted resource for residents facing a sudden, unexpected financial crisis. With your help and involvement, together we can build a stronger, more resilient community.
Community contributions are vital to sustaining this critical program. The goal is to raise $20,000 by the end of the year. To make a difference, visit https://uwnc.org/emergency-fund or contact United Way directly.