What We’re Learning

Survey reveals strongest predictor of social capital in Greater Cincinnati

Building on these insights, United Way is committed to expanding place-based investments, empowering community voices and encouraging partners to integrate social capital into regional development During our last partner convening, partners were able to explore this data as well, and shared feedback that has been incorporated into our final report. As you read through the data about our community, think about what stories this data tells and what stories might be missing. Also consider specific opportunities you see where individual actions could create meaningful change and consider both small everyday actions and larger collective impact initiatives.

Latest News & Highlights

United Way 211 Updates

• United Way 211 Earns National Reaccreditation
  Every five years, United Way 211 undergoes a rigorous reaccreditation process led by an external expert in the field. This months-long review examines every aspect of our work, including call handling, referral processes, emergency response, resource curation and client follow-up. It requires us to update our systems and supporting documentation to ensure we provide the highest-quality service to our community.

  We’re proud to share not only did we successfully complete this process, but our reviewer described UWGC 211 as “one of the strongest 211 programs they have ever evaluated.” This marks the fourth time we’ve earned national reaccreditation from Inform USA, the accrediting body for human services information and referral providers.

  Reaccreditation affirms the progress made since our last review, but it’s also a reminder the work doesn’t stop here. Continuous improvement is at the heart of what we do—and we can only achieve it with the active engagement and partnership of the 1,100+ agencies in our directory.

• Seasonal Programs Now Live!
  United Way 211’s seasonal assistance listings are now available, including:
  • Thanksgiving Baskets
  • Thanksgiving Meals
  • Christmas Baskets
  • Christmas Meals
  • Holiday Gifts & Toys
  We are constantly updating these resources. For the current list, visit:
  uwgc211.org/search?keyword=holiday-assistance.

  If your agency offers a seasonal program that isn’t listed, please let us know at [email protected].

• Expanding Program Screenings
  In addition to connecting callers with more than 6,000 resources from our database, United Way 211 is now screening for an increasing number of partner programs. This means we can perform preliminary eligibility checks and refer pre-screened clients directly to your services. If your organization is interested in partnering with 211 for program screenings, contact Gavi Begtrup at [email protected]

Other Updates

• Policy Updates
  Please consider taking action through our advocacy campaigns. In conjunction with our upcoming Policy With a Splash of Coffee event, we have a new advocacy alert around supporting federal funding for the Digital Equity Act. This vital funding would help close the digital divide our neighbors and communities face every day.

  Earlier this month, UWGC Senior Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy Hailey Barr-King, participated in Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Cincinnati Chapter’s Networking & Knowledge event, which addressed how nonprofits can legally and effectively engage in lobbying efforts. If you are interested in learning more about nonprofits’ right to advocacy and missed this event or the presentation at the Partner Convening, please reach out to Hailey ([email protected]) and learn more.

• Staff Spotlight – Matt Long
  Matthew Long is the Impact Program Management Director. Matt’s work is focused on building and implementing strategies regarding housing stability and financial empowerment in our region. You can reach out to him to learn more about best practices in housing crisis prevention and creating long-term housing stability. He leads our work in United Way housing initiatives like Revive & Thrive, Access to Council, Stable Families and Renew Collaborative. He also oversees our engagement with public and government entities and financial empowerment through Tax Prep and Project LIFT initiatives. As a native Cincinnatian and self-professed foodie, Matt always has great recommendations for local food spots.
• Child College Savings Account Collaboration
  United Way of Greater Cincinnati is partnering with the City of Cincinnati, Fifth Third and Cincinnati Preschool Promise to help families start saving early for their children’s future education. The first 150 families to enroll in 2025, will receive an Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage savings account to help pay for post-high school education with $153 as an initial deposit with the ability to earn an additional $400 in incentives. This program is open to City of Cincinnati residents, with pre-school aged children, within 300% FPL for their family size. You can check your eligibility by calling 211 or submitting your information online.

• 2025 Stakeholders Conference & Brunch Recap
  We were thrilled to welcome nearly 100 community members and professionals to join us in meaningful collaboration and connection. The event featured powerful spoken word performances by MoPoetry Phillips and Makiah Malan Sebastian, a delicious brunch catered by Touch My Soul and engaging breakout sessions on scaling businesses, youth mental health, the value of social capital and youth education and empowerment.

  We also had the honor of recognizing our 2023–25 Black Empowerment Works grantees and celebrating our Champions of Change as they unveiled their new pilot, Launch Pad, a multi-phase accelerator designed to help new nonprofits, small businesses and social enterprises move from bold ideas to lasting impact.

• United We Thrive Workplace Campaign
  Join United We Thrive by hosting a voluntary workplace campaign. Engage staff, amplify impact, support unrestricted gifts helping families. Interested? Email Emma Greulich at [email protected] by Oct. 10 to start.

Collaborative Corner

United We Thrive: A New Chapter of Collaboration

• Belonging drives impact. When people feel truly seen, heard and valued, they contribute more and stay engaged longer. This creates the foundation for lasting community change.
• Diverse voices strengthen solutions. Long-term partners brought institutional knowledge while newer partners contributed fresh perspectives, representing the full spectrum of our community’s strength.
• Collaborative power can change systems. Together, we can shift community conditions and create measurable, lasting impact that no single organization could achieve alone.

Funding Opportunities

United Way Opportunities

• 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 have an opportunity 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.

Additional Opportunities

• Apply by Tuesday, Sept. 30 | Interact for Health Youth Organizing RFP
  The goal of this RFP is to build youth organizing in Greater Cincinnati by supporting nonprofits to create sustainable, youth-led programs empowering young leaders to advocate for community change on issues that matter to them. Five organizations will be awarded capacity-building grants of $50,000 for 12 months to support their participation in the cohort learning experience in partnership with the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions. Learn more about this opportunity and apply at Interact for Health’s Funding Page.
  

Upcoming Events

United Way Events

• Oct. 7 | Policy with a Splash of Coffee: Digital Access in Education and the Workforce
  Accessing the internet and understanding our digital world is no longer a luxury but a necessity today. Without internet access and digital skills, students fall behind in school, job applicants miss out on opportunities and workers struggle to compete on the job.

Community Events

• Oct. 3-4 | | Hamilton County ReSource Household Hazardous Products Drop-Off
  The 2025 Household Hazardous Product Disposal Event is coming up Friday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in Norwood. Space is limited, please register for your spot today.
• Oct. 16 | University of Cincinnati (UC) Fuel & Learn Event
  UC Federal Work Study is hosting a breakfast to learn about the benefits of the program, both for students and for nonprofit partners. Topics include how to participate, and how to provide paid work experience for students for only 25% of their hourly wage. RSVP to Judy Reynolds at [email protected] by Sept. 30.
• Oct. 16 | University of Cincinnati (UC) Faculty/Community Partner Networking Breakfast
  UC Center for Community Engagement and Office of Service-Learning is hosting a breakfast for community-engaged faculty and staff along with community partners 8-10:30 a.m. at the Niehoff Urban Studio. Participants will be led in an innovative networking exercise to connect and brainstorm on engagement opportunities.

Tools & Resources

• Submit a Story
  We’re always looking for ways to help us highlight the impact and influence of United Way and its partners. If you have a story you’d like us to share on our communication platforms, please email [email protected].
• Knowledge Exchange
  All recordings and resources from past webinars and training courses can be found on our website.
• United Knowledge & Insights 
  Looking for publicly available data to help you in your work? United Way’s United Knowledge & Insights aligns data, research, impact evaluation and other learnings to improve economic well-being across the region. A variety of publications and learning and capacity-building sessions are available. For a tutorial on how to navigate the economic well-being dashboard, please watch the video below the dashboard.
• MyFreeTaxes
  MyFreeTaxes.com is available for do-it-yourself 2024 tax prep through October. The income limit for tax services is $84,000.
• Resources Available
  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].