Utility Emergency Services Fund

What Utility Emergency Services Fund does

Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to stabilize housing for low-income families facing utility crises and housing instability. UESF serves vulnerable Philadelphia residents at or below 150-300% of the Federal Poverty Level, including families with shut-off notices, homeless and imminently homeless veterans, families with children in the Philadelphia School District, shelter residents transitioning to permanent housing, and furloughed government workers. The organization serves nearly 7,000 families annually and distributes roughly $3 million in housing assistance each year.

UESF delivers services through a portfolio of eight core programs. The utility grant program is the anchor: every dollar UESF provides to eligible PECO and Philadelphia Water Department customers is matched dollar-for-dollar by those utilities, effectively doubling donor impact. Other programs include the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Family Empowerment Program addressing intergenerational poverty, the Youth and Family Division, Self-Sufficiency Workshops on budgeting and career skills, BenePhilly benefits access, Shelter-to-Permanent Housing security-deposit assistance, the College Savings Account program, and the Furlough Workers Assistance program. Service delivery occurs through two Center City Philadelphia offices, a mobile 'UESF on the Move' outreach model that deploys staff to healthcare partners like Oak Street Health, libraries, and community centers, and Microsoft Forms-based online intake. The organization operates without a proprietary technology platform, using Sage Intacct for financial management.

UESF is funded through federal grants (the VA SSVF grant has been awarded for seven consecutive years, reaching $1,040,402 in 2019), foundation grants (Philadelphia Foundation, The Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia, FHLBank Pittsburgh/PHFA Home4Good), utility matching contributions from PECO and the Philadelphia Water Department, individual donations, corporate sponsorships from energy-services firms (CMC Energy, Burns & McDonnell, Sargent & Lundy, Asplundh), and proceeds from the annual PECO MEAF Golf Tournament. UESF is governed by a Board of Directors including representatives from PECO, the Philadelphia Water Department, and the Mayor's Office, and led by Executive Director Alexander Z. Talmadge, Jr., who assumed the role in August 2024.

Name

Utility Emergency Services Fund

Legal name

Utility Emergency Services Fund

Website

https://uesfacts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that prevents housing instability for vulnerable low-income families through matched utility grants, veteran re-housing, and holistic case management, serving about 7,000 families annually with approximately $3 million in assistance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Housing Stabilization and Emergency Utility Assistance Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention & Loss Mitigation Programs (FSALAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mortgage Delinquency & Foreclosure Prevention Counseling (FSAEAFAF)

Keywords

• Housing stabilization services
• Utility assistance programs
• Emergency financial aid
• Veteran housing services
• Case management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: UESF receives federal grants from the Department of Veteran Affairs SSVF program ($943,000 to $1,040,402 per award cycle) to assist homeless and near-homeless veterans. These grants fund case management, housing stabilization services, and rapid re-housing support.
2. Utility Company Matching Programs: PECO and Philadelphia Water Department match every dollar UESF provides to eligible customers dollar-for-dollar. This matching model effectively doubles the impact of raised funds and is a core component of the utility grant program.
3. Foundation Grants: UESF receives grants from foundations including Philadelphia Foundation ($50,000 leadership grant), The Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia ($25,000), and FHLBank Pittsburgh/PHFA Home4Good ($223,470). These grants support specific programs like board development, shelter-to-permanent housing transitions, and veteran services.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships (CMC Energy, Burns & McDonnell, Sargent & Lundy, Asplundh), and annual golf tournaments generate revenue. The 27th annual golf tournament raised over $56,000 for MEAF funds.
5. Program Service Fees: UESF administers assistance programs (LIHEAP, CAP, CRP, WRAP) on behalf of clients, directing government assistance funds to eligible families for utility payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UESF stabilizes housing for Philadelphia families facing housing crisis by providing emergency utility assistance grants (matched dollar-for-dollar by PECO and Philadelphia Water Department), veteran housing support through the VA SSVF program, holistic case management, self-sufficiency workshops, benefits access through the BenePhilly program, security deposit assistance, and mobile outreach. The organization administers a portfolio of 8 housing stabilization-focused programs serving nearly 7,000 families annually with nearly $3 million in housing assistance, and connects clients to broader social support resources under a "No Wrong Door" philosophy.

Product overview

UESF is a nonprofit social services organization offering a holistic portfolio of housing stabilization and utility assistance programs. The core offerings include the Utility Grant Program (which matches PECO and PWD funds dollar-for-dollar), Self-Sufficiency Workshops covering budgeting and career skills, the BenePhilly benefits access program, and the SSVF Veterans Program. Additional services include the Family Empowerment Program, Youth and Family Division, College Savings Account Program, and Shelter to Permanent Housing services. The organization operates through both traditional office and mobile outreach ('UESF on the Move') delivery models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Utility Grant Program Provides financial assistance to low-income Philadelphia individuals and families facing utility terminations or shut-offs. PECO and Philadelphia Water Department match each dollar provided by UESF dollar-for-dollar, with PECO grants up to $1,250 per household and water grants up to $3,000 per household.
• Self-Sufficiency Workshops Ongoing series of educational sessions covering Basic Budgeting, How to Save Money on Utility Bills, Tenant/Homeowner Rights, TANF to Employment, Professionalism, and Career Goal Planning. Offered virtually or in person for UESF clients and community members.
• BenePhilly Benefits Access Program One-stop access to public benefits and resources at local, state, and federal levels, helping eligible Philadelphia families seek and receive aid they deserve through benefits enrollment support.
• SSVF Veterans Program Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program providing housing stabilization services for homeless and imminently homeless veterans in Philadelphia, including rapid re-housing, case management, and supportive services funded by VA grants.
• Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF) PECO's hardship program providing emergency financial assistance to low-income PECO customers facing a crisis, with all contributions matched dollar-for-dollar by PECO. Income eligibility at 200% of Federal Poverty Level.
• Family Empowerment Program (FEP) Addresses intergenerational poverty for families with children in the Philadelphia School District through holistic supports and advocacy, including the College Savings Account Program. UESF has addressed intergenerational poverty for over 600 families with children in the Philadelphia School District through this program.
• Shelter to Permanent Housing Program Provides security deposits to single women families coming out of the Philadelphia Shelter System to enable transition to permanent housing. Helps 15-20 families per year exit shelters.
• Furlough Assistance Program Partnership with United Way providing assistance for individuals impacted by government shutdowns, with utility payment help for furloughed federal and government workers.
• UESF on the Move Mobile Outreach Mobile outreach program bringing UESF services directly to communities through partnerships with organizations like Oak Street Health, libraries, and community centers throughout Philadelphia.
• Money & Budgeting Services Case management services reviewing current finances, developing stability plans, setting personal and financial goals, with job training and employment resources for UESF clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 7,000 families served annually with nearly $3 million in housing assistance
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PECO (Philadelphia Electric Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPECO is UESF's longest-standing utility partner, matching every dollar UESF provides to eligible PECO customers dollar-for-dollar through the Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF). This partnership is the foundation of UESF's utility grant program, effectively doubling the impact of all funds raised. PECO also participates in UESF's Landlord Luncheons and provides community engagement support through managers like Patricia King.
• Philadelphia Water DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhiladelphia Water Department matches every dollar UESF provides to eligible water customers, similar to the PECO matching arrangement. This partnership enables UESF's water utility assistance programs, including grants for customers behind $75 or more or facing termination.
• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership includes funding for Family Empowerment Program (Siemer Institute for Family Stability), College Savings Account program ($2,000 for participating students), and joint creation of Furlough Workers Assistance Program during 2019 government shutdown.
• Oak Street HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership brings UESF services directly to Oak Street Health medical offices in West Philadelphia. UESF staff attend medical appointments to screen patients for utility assistance, benefits enrollment, and other support needs during their healthcare visits.
• City of Philadelphia - Office of Homeless ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to eliminate utility arrearages enabling Philadelphians to exit shelters and find permanent housing. UESF works with the city to address utility barriers to housing stability.
• Philadelphia Furniture BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUESF has partnered with the Philadelphia Furniture Bank for over 6 years to help participants furnish their new homes after exiting homelessness. UESF refers clients to the Furniture Bank, which provides beds, tables, sofas, and other household items.
• Community Schools Program - Mayor's Office of Children and FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Office of Children and Families places UESF family advocates at Alexander K. McClure Elementary School (Community Schools site) to address family income, education, employment, community safety, and social support challenges.
• Philadelphia Department of Prisons / The Food Trust / Bennet CompostminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for the Philadelphia Prison Orchard volunteer initiative. UESF staff contributed to this community effort alongside other organizations.
• PGW (Philadelphia Gas Works)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced in workshops as a partner utility for programs including CRP (Customer Responsibility Program) for gas assistance to low-income families.
• Philadelphia 360+ Landlord NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUESF has built a network of 360+ Philadelphia landlords who partner with the organization for rental and utility assistance for low-income tenants. UESF helps ease financial risk for landlords by channeling assistance funds and working as a partner in the landlord-tenant relationship to create sustainable community.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project HOME: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and employment services to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Direct peer in the same city, same population, with overlapping housing stabilization mission.
• Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia: Philadelphia affiliate of Habitat for Humanity focused on affordable homeownership and home repair for low-income families. Comparable mission of housing stabilization for vulnerable Philadelphia residents.
• Resources for Human Development: Philadelphia-headquartered human services nonprofit operating housing, behavioral health, and disability programs across multiple states. Comparable nonprofit operating model serving similar vulnerable populations.
• Crisis Assistance Ministry: Charlotte, NC-based nonprofit preventing homelessness through emergency rent and utility assistance, plus case management. Operationally near-identical service mix to UESF in a comparable mid-size urban market.
• Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Philadelphia-area Catholic social services agency providing housing, utility, and case management assistance to vulnerable families. Comparable nonprofit model and service mix in the same region.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia: Major national nonprofit with significant Philadelphia presence offering emergency utility, rental, and shelter assistance. Broader portfolio than UESF but directly overlapping on emergency housing/utility aid.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority: Municipal housing authority administering subsidized housing and rental assistance for low-income Philadelphians. Larger, government-affiliated counterpart addressing the same population.

Others

• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Existing UESF funding partner that aggregates and channels philanthropic dollars to local social services. Comparable nonprofit structure and stakeholder base but acts as a funder/convener rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UESFassistance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uesf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Utility Emergency Services Fund