As we close out the year, I’m reminded once again that lasting community change is something none of us can accomplish alone. The recent lapse in SNAP funding drove this home: When systems fail, our ability to respond together isn’t just valuable, it’s essential to the stability of families across our region.
This year, even as we navigated new pressures, we remained focused on what matters: supporting families’ stability and well-being not just in moments of crisis, but for the long term. We learned, built and problem-solved as partners, always committed to strengthening what already exists rather than duplicating efforts. Each of us fills a different and essential part of the system of care for our community. Our regular connection helps us move forward together with purpose, building solutions that are stronger and more enduring than anything we could build on our own.
Thank you for your partnership, your trust and your unwavering dedication to making our community a better place — not just for today but for tomorrow. Together, we’re making a lasting impact and moving our community forward.
Amy Weber
Chief Impact Officer
Latest News & Highlights
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United Way 211 Updates
United Way 211 responded to the 43-day federal government shutdown by: Launching an up-to-date food resource map at uwgc.org/foodmap, handling a 277% uptick in requests due to the shutdown and SNAP disruption, and proactively maintaining and expanding our resource directory. The new food resource map, which includes more than 300 resources, had nearly 2,500 views.To learn how to use 211 to generate neighborhood-specific resource lists and better connect the people you serve to food assistance, view the recap on Navigating Food Resources.
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Take Action Now
Our newly released 2026 policy agenda is based on our priority areas: Educational Success, Financial Empowerment and Housing Security. We look forward to opportunities to work with you to advocate for the families we serve. Through joint advocacy, we achieve more together than any of us can achieve alone. -
Meet United Way’s Community Empowerment Works Grantees
United Way is proud to introduce its Community Empowerment Works partners, a key component of our Responsive Services cohort. These partners are led by grassroots leaders whose lived experiences reflect the communities they serve. Together, they work to strengthen community agency, enhance financial mobility, foster belonging and create pathways to long-term success.We will actively engage this network to gain deeper insight into community voices and experiences, ensuring that our strategies continue to evolve in ways that meaningfully respond to community needs.
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Encourage Financial Empowerment with Free Tax Prep
Volunteer recruitment is underway for United Way’s Free Tax Prep program, which helps eligible individuals and families file their tax returns at no cost. As partners, you can play a key role in spreading the word. Your clients may be drawn to refund anticipation loans that promise fast cash, especially around the holidays, but those often come with costly fees and high interest rates. Together, we can empower neighbors to make informed choices and keep more of the money they’ve earned.Clients can start scheduling Free Tax Prep appointments on January 12, 2026. Please share this social media post with families you serve who earn less than $84,000 annually. If you’re part of community Facebook groups or neighborhood pages, those are also perfect places to help spread the word. Join us in encouraging taxpayers to file in person with our IRS-certified volunteers or online at MyFreeTaxes.com.
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Staff Spotlight – Kayla Miller
Kayla Miller is the senior manager of Success By 6®. Kayla coordinates United Way-led collaborative efforts of early education partners in our region to help ensure all children are healthy and ready to succeed by the time they start kindergarten.
You can reach out to her to learn more about United Way’s early education initiatives like the Children’s College Savings Account Program, Head Start Innovation Fund, or Success By 6® partner events. When she’s not sharing her passion for children in our community, Kayla loves to talk about all things Xavier basketball.
Collaborative Corner
Advancing Our Shared Vision Through Collaborative Action
United Way’s funding pools continue to make meaningful strides thanks to the dedication, insight and partnership of organizations across our region. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for stronger systems, deeper alignment and lasting change for families.
Over the past month, Collaborative Impact partners came together for their first series of breakout sessions. Organized into five focus areas — Early Education, Middle Years/Postsecondary Success, Housing Stability, Family Stability & Well-Being, and Economic Mobility & Workforce Advancement — each group explored how their efforts contribute to family stability and what indicators help measure progress. These conversations generated shared outcomes and promising areas for alignment, offering a clearer picture of how we can integrate our work to strengthen conditions for families across our region.
“We need spaces like this to compare what’s working, share ideas, and build alignment instead of working in silos.”
– Community leader
The Catalytic Change cohort has also moved from visioning to action. After two in-person workshops and a virtual planning session, partners developed three strategic game plans and collectively selected two Year 1 priorities: Community Voice and Resource Coordination. Together, partners mapped milestones for early research, shared practices, testing opportunities and structures that will support accountability and communication. Monthly virtual work sessions and quarterly in-person gatherings will guide this collaborative toward implementation.
Across all pools, one theme is clear: our collective power grows when we build, question and innovate together. Thank you for continuing to shape this work with us.
Funding Opportunities
United Way Opportunities
- 2026-2027 | Responsive Service Partner Funding Request for Proposals
Responsive Services grants support organizations with proven expertise in delivering services responsive to community needs and aligned to United Way’s impact pillars: Educational Success, Financial Empowerment and Housing Security. These one-year grants are designed to support ongoing work to meet immediate community needs while fostering opportunities for learning and growth. Please stay tuned for more information about the proposal process.- Mid-March 2026: RFP released
- Late April 2026: RFP process closes
- May 2026: Community review process and recommendations
- June 2026: Applicants notified of funding decisions
- July 1, 2026: Funding begins
- Ongoing | Community Engagement Grants
Organizations in need of funding to host a specific program, such as a food or clothing program or back-to-school event, may be eligible for community engagement funding from United Way. These are typically one-time grants of about $2,500. For information, email [email protected] or Chandra Mathews-Smith at [email protected]. Mini-grants are offered to 501(c)(3) grassroots organizations and faith partners for their outreach work.
Upcoming Events
- Jan. 29, 2026 | Kentucky Live United Day (By invite ONLY)
- February 2026 | Indiana Live United Day
- February 2026 | Ohio Live United Day
- March 2026 | Spring 2026 Partner Convening
Tools & Resources
- Children’s College Savings Accounts
United Way, the city of Cincinnati and Fifth Third are helping families start saving for their children’s future education. Eligible Cincinnati families with preschoolers enrolled through the program will receive $153 to start their accounts plus up to $400 in incentives. Please share this amazing opportunity with your families. Interested families can also call 211 to enroll. - Media Essentials – Episode 2
How do you share your story? Episode 2 (Widening The Lens) highlights how we can help disrupt harmful stereotypes and increase understanding across audiences. - Clearing Legal Hurdles to Employment
The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati’s Clearing Legal Hurdles to Employment program helps low-income job seekers overcome legal barriers — especially by addressing and working to expunge issues that can block employment, such as prior criminal records and driver’s license suspensions. If your clients face legal obstacles to work, refer them to Legal Aid for support. -
Submit a StoryHelp us highlight the impact and influence of United Way and our partners. If you have a story you’d like us to share on our communication platforms, please email United Way’s Content Manager Andy Smith at [email protected].
- Knowledge Exchange
All recordings and resources from past webinars and training courses including “Navigating Food Resources” can be found on our website. - Resources Available – Grassroot or Faith-Based Partners ONLY
United Way provides partner organizations with goods needed by community members, which might include hygiene items, healthy snack packs, dental kits and cleaning supplies. If your organization receives requests for such resources, please contact Jessica Baker at [email protected].
