Union Benevolent Association

Union Benevolent Association was founded in 1831 to assist the suffering poor of Philadelphia during an unusually harsh winter. During the early twentieth century, the Union Benevolent Association continued to provide financial assistance to the city’s poor. Money given to the needy helped pay for transportation expenses across a growing city, food, medical bills, and rent. In 1958, The Union Benevolent Association changed the method by which it administered aid. Instead of giving money directly to applicants who were in need, UBA became a foundation that distributed funds to other charities that had a similar mission. Today UBA provides approximately $200,000 in grants annually to organizations that serve vulnerable populations in basic needs. Basic needs is defined as food, clothing and other necessities. Priority is given to organizations with operating budgets below $1 million.