March 15, 2006

KeySpan Foundation springs forward United Way effort to insulate
low-income families from winter energy bills

BOSTON – Some residents can welcome spring optimistically as winter hardships were eased thanks to an exciting partnership between United Way of Massachusetts Bay and KeySpan Foundation. The two recently partnered to help area residents stay warm by meeting the high cost of their heating bills. A $150,000 KeySpan Foundation gift jump-started a community effort to increase resources for United Way’s Special Fund for Emergency Assistance, which helps more than 5,000 people meet basic needs such as food, heat, housing and medicine. Last year, more than 46 percent of the Special Fund emergency requests were for heating and energy-related issues.

“We’re experiencing a winter of record energy prices,” said Milton J. Little, Jr., president and chief executive officer at UWMB. “KeySpan Foundation’s contribution helps United Way meet the increasing demand for emergency funds, no matter what methodresidents use to heat their homes. We urge the community to join our efforts to help insulate families who are already on a financial brink from energy costs that can be devastating.”

KeySpan Chairman & CEO Bob Catell said, “At a time when people in the Greater Boston area are faced with hard choices this winter, I am proud that KeySpan Foundation has made such a generous gift to the United Way’s Special Fund. This contribution will help insure that they will not have to choose between heating their homes and buying other necessities for their families.”

The United Way Special Fund for Emergency Financial Assistance, established in 1976 by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, is a partnership to help low-income families in our community in times of greatest need. The Special Fund is used to provide funds for personal emergencies where basic needs such as food, fuel, housing and medicine are not being met, and when no other public or private resource is available. United Way distributes the funds through a collaborative network of agencies that are able to assess the greatest need and act swiftly. All administrative costs are covered by United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the human service agencies that distribute Special Fund grants.

About KeySpan Foundation

KeySpan’s community commitment is based on a long tradition of social responsibility and is fundamental to our identity as a good corporate citizen. The KeySpan Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life in areas where we provide services. Our ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Our Foundation philosophy 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.