GREENFIELD — As uncertainty swirls around the future availability of federal funding, Community Action Pioneer Valley is launching a fundraising initiative to support its work providing low-income residents across Franklin and Hampshire counties with stability.
The “Clare Higgins Fund for Community Resilience,” which is being officially launched later this month, has already raised close to $44,000 to support fuel assistance, early learning, family programs and more.
“The word ‘resilience’ in this fund is really critical,” said Jessica Thompson, Community Action Pioneer Valley’s associate director of community engagement. “There’s been a lot of uncertainty for not-for-profit organizations, particularly human services. … Just because the federal dollars go away doesn’t mean the needs go away.”
Thompson said President Donald Trump’s proposed budget had zeroed out funding for fuel assistance and several other human services programs that are essential lifelines for many Pioneer Valley residents. According to Community Action Pioneer Valley’s 2024 annual report, the agency provided nearly $8.97 million in fuel assistance to 7,379 households in the year. As federal support for fuel assistance and other programs cannot be guaranteed, the nonprofit antipoverty agency is turning to the community for donations.
“Community Action is looking to build a fund to help us remain resilient in the face of federal funding cuts,” Thompson said. “We want to put ourselves in a position to continue to serve this community.”
Amid inflation and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other assistance programs, more and more Americans are needing help affording essential items.
In 2024, Community Action Pioneer Valley provided fuel assistance to 1,447 new households, 298 new families accessed services at the Family Center, and 92 newcomers joined the Healthy Bones & Balance program.
“A lot of people are a paycheck a way from needing help,” Thompson said. “It could be a broken car, a medical emergency, etc.”
The fund is named after longtime Community Action Pioneer Valley Executive Director Clare Higgins, who retired on July 31 after 14 years leading the agency. Thompson said that while Higgins is not the type of person to relish in the limelight, she believes Higgins will be proud of the impact the fund will have.
“Clare believes very much in providing people with access and opportunity,” Thompson said. “I think Clare will be satisfied and pleased to know that in her name, more people will be given access to stability.”
During Higgins’ tenure, Community Action Pioneer Valley grew to manage nearly 40 programs across Franklin and Hampshire counties, reaching as many as 28,000 people who need assistance with food security, housing, energy and more. Prior to her retirement, Higgins said she is proud of the growth in programs, including the early education program, the fuel assistance program and the Family Center. Other offerings include the Three County Continuum of Care, the RSVP volunteer program for seniors, weatherization and home modification services, and enhanced support for youth, young adults and families.
“She worked her entire career to help people get access to their basic needs: food, shelter, heat,” Thompson said.
Community Action Pioneer Valley will officially launch the Clare Higgins Fund for Community Resilience during a celebration of Higgins’ career being held in Holyoke on Thursday, Sept. 25. Thompson said the agency is hoping to raise $100,000 for the fund by the night of the event, and has set a goal of raising $500,000 over the next six months.
“Community Action has been around for 60 years and we will be around for much longer,” Thompson said. “That’s what Community Action is here to do.”
To learn more about resources available through Community Action Pioneer Valley, or to donate to the fund, visit communityaction.us.