Across our region, partners are creating opportunities for people to build skills, connect to resources and take steps toward their goals. This work takes many forms, strengthened by organizations sharing expertise, building connections and working together to respond to the needs of their communities.
In this edition, you’ll find ways to engage with United Way of Greater Cincinnati and fellow partners, updates from across our network and tools and resources to support your work.
TAKE ACTION
Get ready for Digital Inclusion Week
Digital Inclusion Week is Oct. 4-10, and this year’s theme, “Sustain, Empower, Evolve: Building a Brighter Digital Future,” highlights what it takes to build lasting digital equity. It calls on communities to sustain strong partnerships, empower people through access to the internet, devices and digital skills, and evolve strategies as technology changes.
We are committed to bridging the digital divide, so everyone has the access and skills needed to connect to resources and opportunities. Alongside partners in the Southwest Ohio Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance (RDIA), we’re working to strengthen a sustainable network of support across our region.
If your organization is advancing digital equity, consider how you can highlight your work during Digital Inclusion Week and help raise awareness of why digital access matters. You can also join United Way in advocating for digital access efforts that support education, workforce participation and opportunity in our region.
Funding Opportunities
- Responsive Services Grants
Application open: Oct. 30 – Nov. 24 in Foundant
United Way of Greater Cincinnati will launch an Emerging Priorities Fund to support highly targeted, time-limited responses to three defined challenges:- Educational Success: equipping early educators to address children’s increasing behavioral and social-emotional needs
- Financial Empowerment: helping the local food ecosystem meet growing demand through expanded partnerships or cost-effective approaches
- Housing Security: addressing short-term housing barriers that could disrupt a participant’s progress in education, workforce development, financial coaching or another program.
Other Ways to Engage
- Help inform the Future of Head Start
Federal officials are considering changes to Head Start standards, including requirements related to coaching, mental-health consultation and suspension and expulsion practices. If Head Start has positively impacted your organization or community, share your experience as part of the federal public-comment process by Oct. 6. Your firsthand perspective can help officials understand what Head Start looks like in practice, and which supports make a difference for children, families and educators.
Need help drafting your public comment? Use one of these templates: Head Start Parent, Guardian, Alumni, Head Start Staff or Community Partner. - Reminder: Download your e-CImpact documents TODAY
United Way of Greater Cincinnati is transitioning from e-CImpact to our new grants management system, Foundant. Your organization may have received an earlier email with instructions for downloading any applications, reports or other documents you would like to keep. Please download your documents today, Sept. 30, as they will no longer be accessible through the e-CImpact agency login after today. For questions about accessing your account or documents, email [email protected]. - Wish List
Application open: Now – Oct. 2
United Way partners are welcome to apply for Wish List, our seasonal partnership with The Cincinnati Enquirer. This special program highlights powerful stories and invites the community to help fulfill the wishes of families needing a little extra support (up to $5,000) this holiday season. - United Way Funded Partner logo
United Way asks our partners to promote United Way and how we help support your impact.
Ways to share our partnership:Use on key materials: add the united way funded partner logo and/or the text “A United Way Funded Partner” to program flyers, presentations, newsletters, event invitations and programs.
Feature on your website: display the logo on your homepage and link to uwgc.org.
Mention on social media: include in your social media page description that you are a United Way Funded Partner.
LEARN & CONNECT
What Partners Are Telling Us
One message came through clearly: opportunities to connect, learn from one another and build relationships across the region matter. Convening, peer learning and partner connections were raised in a majority of the reports we reviewed. Many of you told us that these opportunities help you understand the broader network of community support, find organizations with complementary expertise and identify new possibilities for referrals and collaboration.
Your reports also included examples of those connections turning into action:
- A relationship between Sweet Sistah Splash and Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses continued beyond United Way convenings and led to additional programming opportunities that helped reach more young people.
- A United Way introduction connected Give Like A Mother with Project DASH, resulting in an ongoing delivery option for families facing transportation barriers.
- Through 211 CareSuite, Every Child Succeeds helped test and refine a shared referral process, while 4C for Children’s early participation helped it become a model for similar organizations integrating with 211.
- The Consortium of Resilient Young Children described how United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s convening helped build trust, include partner perspectives and align organizations around shared priorities.
- HER Cincinnati shared that United Way coordination helped keep its collaborative projects organized and moving forward.
- The Empowerment Foundation reported that relationships formed through Community Empowerment Works led to new partnerships and additional interest in trauma-informed training.
Partner Collaboration Spotlight
Advancing the Future of Manufacturing together
Clear pathways to training, credentials and good careers are essential to the future of manufacturing.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati recently welcomed the Year III cohort of the Future of Manufacturing Fund , established by the GE Aerospace Foundation in partnership with United Way. Our third year builds on earlier investments in career awareness, credentialing and employer partnerships by helping more people complete advanced manufacturing training and transition into employment, internships or apprenticeships.
This year’s cohort includes Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership, Cincinnati State, Gateway Community & Technical College, LEAD Training, Miami University Hamilton and UC Clermont College.
Together, these partners are expanding pathways to opportunity and helping build the skilled workforce our region needs to thrive.
Meet Your United Way Contact
Claire Meyer serves as the Manager of Housing Security, where she leads efforts focused on eviction prevention and creating sustainable pathways to long-term housing stability in the region.
A fifth-generation Cincinnatian, she previously worked in state and local government, environmental permitting and healthcare. Claire holds degrees from Miami University and Cornell University and currently lives in a historic home with her partner, their three dogs, one cat and a collection of vintage trinkets.
STAY INFORMED
United Way 211 Updates
- July–September 2026 snapshot
- Requests: 14,318
- Referrals: 51,307
- Top Categories of Need: Housing, Utility Assistance, Income Support/Assistance
- Need to update your organization’s 211 listing?
Search for your organization online at uwgc211.org to view or suggest changes to your 211 listing. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Other Updates
- Family Success Network expansion to Clermont County & Stable Families
United Way of Greater Cincinnati is strengthening the Family Success Network (FSN) in Clermont County through a new partnership with Brighton Center’s Stable Families program. FSN connects parents and caregivers with personalized family coaching and practical parenting support. The partnership creates a clearer pathway to housing and financial stability resources when families need them, while allowing FSN coaches to focus on relationship-based parenting and family support. For community partners, this means another way to connect families with coordinated support that complements existing services. Together, we can make it easier for Clermont County families to find the support that best fits their goals and circumstances. - Access to Counsel expansion in NKY
United Way of Greater Cincinnati is partnering with Legal Aid of the Bluegrass and Children’s Law Center to provide focused legal representation and rent relief in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton Counties in Northern Kentucky. If you are working with an individual or family that has received a court summons and is at risk of eviction, please contact Legal Aid of the Bluegrass at 859-431-8200 or visit lablaw.org to complete an online intake.
Additional Funding Opportunities
- Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation Grants
Application deadline: Nov. 1
Supports nonprofit organizations focused on nutrition education, food access and culinary arts career development.
Tools & Resources
- Hamilton County Homestead Exemption
Ohio House Bill 479, passed June 24, 2026, provides $350 million to expand the Homestead Exemption. This statewide bill could potentially reduce qualifying homeowners’ property taxes by $450–500 on 2026 tax bills payable in 2027. Homeowners must enroll by Nov. 1, but should apply by mid-October to allow time for processing. For more information, visit the Auditor’s website and read a press release about HB 479. - MyFreeTaxes
MyFreeTaxes.com is available for do-it-yourself 2025 tax prep through October. The income limit for tax services is $84,000. - Hamilton County Homestead Exemption
Ohio House Bill 479, passed June 24, 2026, provides $350 million to expand the Homestead Exemption. This statewide bill could potentially reduce qualifying homeowners’ property taxes by $450–500 on 2026 tax bills payable in 2027. Homeowners must enroll by Nov. 1, but should apply by mid-October to allow time for processing. For more information, visit the Auditor’s website and read a press release about HB 479. - MyFreeTaxes
MyFreeTaxes.com is available for do-it-yourself 2025 tax prep through October. The income limit for tax services is $84,000.
