Faces of THAW
Recipients of THAW assistance include elderly, children, unemployed, underemployed and disabled individuals who find themselves in an energy crisis. More than 70% of the households we assist have a child or senior in the home. These populations can become particularly vulnerable during the cold seasons.
Learn MoreFaces of Thaw - 1 minute 9 seconds
Our Mission
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is stabilizing and empowering Michigan families, keeping them healthy, safe and warm.
THAW, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, distributes assistance to vulnerable Michigan residents through 39 agency partners and a series of annual mobile processing events. The number of households that need utility assistance continues to grow each year. Last year THAW distributed more than $15 million in utility assistance to nearly 18,000 Michigan households, and we could not have done that without your help.
Since its inception in 1985, THAW has distributed over $250 million in assistance to more than 280,000 Michigan households.
Across Michigan, 40% of households (1.54m) struggle to afford the basic needs of housing, including energy.
Over 28,000 children and 4,800 seniors lived in households that received energy assistance last year.
About 90% of every dollar goes to those in need.
News & Events
Community Assistance Day
Register for a community assistance day phone consultation on October 21, 2021 | 9a.m. - 4p.m.
Wayne County is partnering with THAW to assist in scheduling COVID 19 vaccination appointments.
Wayne County is partnering with THAW to leverage and expand its existing utility assistance call center to schedule COVID 19 vaccination appointments.
Week of Warmth
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), in its 36th year of service, is again partnering with DTE Energy for the 2021 Week of Warmth to kick off the Season of Need. The Week of Warmth is a series of activities and events designed to highlight the significant need of thousands of low-income and vulnerable Michiganders who struggle to pay utility bills.