Moira Weir, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Originally published in the Cincinnati Enquirer on April 16, 2026
For more than 110 years, United Way of Greater Cincinnati has worked alongside our neighbors to build a community where everyone can thrive. Today, we are taking an important step forward in that commitment.
We will formally join the national StriveTogether network as an affiliate member — aligning our region with a proven nationwide movement focused on improving educational outcomes through data-driven, cross-sector collaboration.
This is an opportunity to set a new table for our children to succeed. To coordinate with existing efforts and bring to scale proven and potentially new strategies in our community. To ensure that where a child grows up does not determine how far they can go.
At the core of our work is tackling critical challenges outside the classroom. Our educators do a tremendous job, but we know a child’s ability to learn is shaped by many other factors: stable housing, access to child care, nutritious food, reliable transportation, safe spaces to play and caregivers who have the support they need.
As someone who spent decades in the public sector, I’ve seen firsthand how systems — housing, public benefits, workforce supports, health care — shape opportunity long before a child takes their first standardized test. I’ve also seen how hard families work to build better futures for their children, even when the odds are stacked against them. I know a high-quality education alone is not enough to overcome the complex, systemic conditions and realities impacting young people and their families.
Together with our partners, United Way is taking a common-sense approach — looking at the full picture of student and family needs, and connecting and coordinating the many programs and supports of youth and family-focused organizations and service providers.
We’re not starting from scratch. We’re building on strong relationships, trusted partnerships and a shared vision for our region’s future. The right partners are at the table now, and they recognize that no single organization can move the needle alone.
This work belongs to all of us.
We’ll begin by focusing our efforts in a few neighborhoods, working closely with residents, schools, nonprofit partners and local leaders. Solutions won’t be one-size-fits-all. They’ll reflect the strengths, challenges and priorities of each community.
In one neighborhood, that may mean expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities. In another, it may mean stabilizing housing so children can remain in the same school year after year. In others, it may mean strengthening after-school programs or improving access to transportation.
Joining StriveTogether signals our commitment to measurable results. This approach is grounded in shared data, continuous improvement and accountability.
Lasting change takes time.
We’ve been around long enough to know that. For now, we’re committed to listening. We’ll align on clear goals and track progress openly. And as we learn what works, we’ll scale those strategies to reach more neighborhoods across our region.
Together, we can create pathways to social and economic mobility, from cradle to career, so everyone has a full and fair opportunity to reach their potential.
