Grass Valley, CA September 12, 2026 — One year ago, United Way of Nevada County launched the Nevada County Emergency Fund with a simple idea: one unexpected expense shouldn’t become a life-changing crisis.
This month, the fund is celebrating its first anniversary and an incredible first year of neighbors helping neighbors.
Since launching in September 2025, the Nevada County Emergency Fund has provided $37,240 in emergency assistance to 40 local neighbors, helping low-income individuals and families get through urgent financial situations when other resources weren’t available.
In its first year, the fund helped with:
- 16 critical car repairs
- 8 utility emergencies
- 6 urgent home-related repairs
- 4 security deposits
- 6 other unexpected emergency needs
Each person helped through the Nevada County Emergency Fund was facing a financial challenge they simply couldn’t manage on their own.
“When we launched the Nevada County Emergency Fund a year ago, we knew there were people in our community facing unexpected expenses with nowhere else to turn,” said Louise Reed, CEO of United Way of Nevada County. “Seeing what this fund has been able to accomplish in its first year is incredibly meaningful. Forty local neighbors received help at a moment when they truly needed it, and that was only possible because our community believed in this fund and chose to support it.”
When Brittany’s family’s hot water heater unexpectedly broke down, they didn’t have the extra funds to cover the cost of replacing it. Without hot water, everyday tasks like washing dishes, doing laundry, and showering became a daily challenge. Brittany and her daughter were driving nearly two hours round trip each day to shower at a family member’s home, while her husband made a separate hour-long detour after work.
The family was managing their regular expenses, but this unexpected cost put them in a difficult position. Through the Nevada County Emergency Fund, United Way of Nevada County helped cover the cost of a new hot water heater, restoring an essential need to their home and bringing some normalcy back to their daily lives.
Moments like these are exactly why the Nevada County Emergency Fund was created.
For the neighbors who received assistance this year, that support meant more than simply covering an unexpected expense. It meant helping prevent that expense from spiraling into something bigger—whether by getting their car back on the road, keeping the lights on, or replacing an essential home appliance. In each case, the Emergency Fund provided help at a time when it was needed most.
To qualify for assistance, applicants must live in Nevada County, be facing an immediate and urgent financial need and have already explored other available community resources. Applicants are connected to the Emergency Fund through one of United Way of Nevada County’s six local referral partner organizations, which play an important role in identifying needs and helping residents through the referral process.
As the Nevada County Emergency Fund enters its second year, United Way of Nevada County hopes to build on the impact of its first year and continue to assist our local neighbors. Every dollar distributed through the fund comes from community support, and continued donations will help make that possible in the year ahead.
To learn more about the Nevada County Emergency Fund, including how to apply for assistance or support the fund, visit https://uwnc.org/emergency-fund.
About United Way of Nevada County
United Way of Nevada County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working with the community to provide immediate support and lasting solutions for individuals and families in need.