Malden Warming Center wins $75,000 Cummings Foundation Grant after successful season

Volunteer-operated refuge ensures longevity with a generous grant award

The Malden Warming Center (MWC), a fully volunteer-run refuge providing shelter from the harsh New England winter, has secured a $75,000 grant from Cummings Foundation’s $30 Million Grant Program. This funding will be allocated over three years, providing consistent operating support and financial security to MWC, which offers a warm place to stay for over 150 guests every season. The center, which concluded its seventh season in April, provides vital support to individuals experiencing homelessness with a dedicated team of volunteers from Malden and surrounding communities creating a welcoming, compassionate space — as the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to grow faster than our region’s collective ability to serve them. Grant funding from new partners like Cummings Foundation and from the center’s long-term supporters at the Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation and the City of Malden is critical to keeping the MWC doors open and to keeping its guests warm and fed.

MWC was proud to share the following accomplishments:

• 25 guests each night, reaching maximum capacity every night
• Over 8,000 meals provided, including hot dinners and bagged lunches
• Over 5,000 items of clothing and supplies distributed, including 1,300+ pairs of socks
• 190 Uber rides provided to guests sent to other shelters or important locations, including fellow warming centers in Revere and Somerville, and local hospitals

This year saw an increase in community involvement: 203 volunteers filled 1,965 shifts, contributing over 5,200 hours of service across 121 nights; 73 new volunteers joined MWC’s efforts this season. MWC was especially thrilled to share that 10 guests successfully transitioned into housing and eight guests entered treatment programs for substance use disorder. These accomplishments reflect the powerful impact of community collaboration. Every shift was filled with volunteers offering warm drinks, a kind word and a caring presence. Every donation — from socks to sweatpants — was a testament to the generosity of neighbors.

Built on a foundation of hospitality, the MWC strives to treat every guest with dignity. Offering more than just shelter — it provides a sense of community and belonging. Guests often describe it as one of the few places where they are treated as people, not case files.

The MWC stated, “As we close another season and look towards the next, we’re deeply grateful to all who contributed their time, resources, and energy to supporting those in need. Together, we’ve created a space where vulnerability is met with compassion and hope. And with the strong support of both community members, City officials, and our funding partners, we look forward to opening our doors again on December 1. We hope to see you there.”