$50,000 Awarded for Immediate Emergency Assistance from Three Watertown Funders
Watertown, MA: January 27, 2026 –
To help Watertown residents who need urgent help with rent, utilities or other emergency needs, the Watertown Community Foundation, the Marshall Home Fund, and the Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish of Watertown, came together in December to create a one-time Watertown Emergency Assistance Fund of $50,000. Grant awards from The Watertown Emergency Assistance Fund, in collaboration with local social service organizations, have provided immediate relief for rental assistance, help with utilities, and other short term emergency needs. Grant recipients have included The Watertown Housing Authority to provide rental assistance, Springwell will help older adults with rental assistance and other needs, and the Watertown Senior Center.
Seeded by the Watertown Community Foundation, the Marshall Home Fund and the Helen Robinson Wright Fund quickly pledged their support to create the Watertown Emergency Assistance Fund to help individuals and families get back on their feet during a very difficult time. “When the SNAP program was suddenly cut off in November, we could see this was the tip of the iceberg and families were struggling. As the Watertown community worked hard to provide food for our neighbors, we knew we needed to work together to help people stay housed and meet other urgent needs.” said Tia Tilson, Executive Director, Watertown Community Foundation.
Recent census data and data from the Massachusetts Health Data Tool for Watertown provide a snapshot of the experiences of many of our neighbors.
2,100 Watertown residents live below the poverty line.
800 residents have experienced a disruption in an essential public utility due to inability to pay a bill.
2,500 of our neighbors rely on SNAP, formerly food stamps.
7,000 residents rely on MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, for health insurance.
370 residents have no health insurance and consequently, limited or no access to primary health care, specialty health care or other health care services.
Eligibility for SNAP and other benefit programs, like fuel, rental and health care assistance, have recently changed due to work requirements, six-month eligibility checks and other changes. These benefits disproportionately effect seniors, children and those with disabilities. “When benefits are cut and prices rise, older adults on limited incomes can be especially vulnerable. Loss of heat or housing can be a matter of life or death. We view these grants as literal lifelines,” said Carole Katz, Board President, Marshall Home Fund. Charyn Bethell, Helen Robinson Wright Fund, echoed this, “When people need emergency help, we’ve seen has seen how a little bit of help can go a long way.”
Beth Schultz, Chief Community Engagement Officer, Springwell, said, “Our agency provides services to older adults in twenty-two communities, including Watertown. I have always been so impressed with the level of coordination and support that Watertown provides to households in need.” Olivia Wright, Director of Residential Services, Watertown Housing Authority added, “Thanks to these emergency funds, more than 40 families and older adults were able to stay in their homes. This provided immediate relief and the chance for these families to stabilize their lives, at a time when things feel uncertain and every day costs are at an all-time high.”
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About Watertown Community Foundation
The Watertown Community Foundation advances and supports positive change for the people who live and work in Watertown through the transformative power of community giving. We envision a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds can thrive, connect, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our city. Started with funds from the sale of the Watertown Arsenal property in 2003 and powered by generous donations from Watertown residents and businesses, the Foundation has awarded more than $3,000,000 in grants. We are committed to convening local stakeholders, creating cross-sector collaborations, and breaking down barriers to bring people together to turn philanthropy into action. For more info about our mission, board of trustees and impact, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About the Marshall Home Fund
The Marshall Home Fund is a non-profit charitable foundation that provides modest program grants to public agencies, non-profit organizations and city departments that serve older Watertown residents. We also provide limited financial assistance to Watertown residents age 55+ who are in urgent need and referred through a local service agency. The sale of the Marshall Home in 2002, originally known as the Watertown Home for Old Folks and Watertown’s first “rest home”, established the Marshall Home Fund in 2005 to carry on its spirit of providing supportive services for older Watertown adults. We have awarded more than $1,000,000 in grants since our inception. See our list of 2025 grantees here. For more information, visit our website.
About the Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish of Watertown
The Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish of Watertown provides modest financial assistance to individuals and families facing short-term financial hardships. We assist with food purchases, housing expenses, utility costs, medical expenses, childcare and other essential needs for Watertown residents. The Fund also supports a variety of educational, social service and social justice programs benefitting Watertown residents. For more information, visit our website.