Financial empowerment is the foundation of a thriving community. It’s about more than just meeting immediate needs — it’s about creating stability, building opportunity and paving the way for long-term success. When families are financially secure, they can:
Financial stability transforms lives and neighborhoods, and it bolsters our entire region’s prosperity. But for too many of our neighbors, financial insecurity stands in the way of achieving their potential. Together, we can change that.
Rising costs and systemic barriers make it hard for many families to achieve financial stability. Financial insecurity not only impacts individuals but also our region’s workforce, schools and neighborhoods. The obstacles are significant:
These challenges weigh heavily on families and ripple across our entire region, slowing progress and creating economic strain.
United Way is addressing these challenges head-on through programs, partnerships and advocacy. We provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions to help families find their footing and create pathways to prosperity.
Here’s how we’re creating impact:
Our work is guided by data, informed by community voices and tailored to meet the unique needs of each neighborhood. Together with our partners, we’re creating opportunities for every family to prosper — because when one family succeeds, our community grows stronger.
Annually, our 24/7 helpline receives tens of thousands of requests for help, the bulk of which come from people in unstable financial situations. United Way 211 team members listen, ask questions, assess needs and connect people to critical resources including rent and mortgage assistance, utility bills, employment services, transportation needs and more.
United Way 211 is our eyes and ears in the community. It gives us real-time information about the financial challenges people face so we can provide support and ensure stability in tough times.
“Before 211 got involved, there were several times I wanted to give up.”
— Nicole, a single parent of three who was able to avoid eviction after her rent rose 45% within six months
“We have a large family, so (the refund received with help from Free Tax Prep) will help a lot. It can help with bills – gas, food, basic necessities.”
— Paris, whose family received Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit refunds during the 2023 tax season
The Free Tax Prep initiative, funded by the IRS and United Way of Greater Cincinnati, provides free income tax preparation and filing services for people with low-to-moderate incomes.
Volunteer tax preparers help ensure hardworking individuals and families receive the credits they are entitled to — such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit — which put millions of dollars into the pockets of people in the community who need it most. Also, taxpayers save an average of $275 in tax preparation fees.
Families rely on those savings and refunds in any number of ways, such as to cover rent or mortgage payments, pay for car repairs so they can get to work, put a down payment on a house or save for future emergencies.
“It’s helping dreams come true. It’s helping people to accomplish goals. It’s helping put families in a better position. It’s changing lives.”
— Project LIFT participant Ayaniah
United Way’s Project LIFT (Lifting and Investing in Families Thriving) empowers families to achieve long-term financial security.
We know such success doesn’t happen overnight. To help families overcome barriers, Project LIFT combines short-term financial assistance with long-term coaching and connections to community programs, such as workforce development. The result: Families achieve long-term goals such as completing a college degree or making a career change that increases their earnings.
“They fund grassroots organizations that are so essential to the community. Because of grants like these, we’re able to change the world, and we’re able to do it together.”
— Deasa, Black Empowerment Works grantee and founder of iCan Health, which educates people about diabetes
This United Way initiative encompasses organizations, ideas and strategies led by individuals who identify as Black and who aim to build power and positive outcomes within the population.
A key component of the Black-Led Social Change initiative is the Black Empowerment Works grant program. It promotes Black self-determination, social mobility and economic prosperity by providing resources and funding to community-based, Black-led work.
United Way invests in solutions, community partners and families to equip our neighbors with the resources they need to achieve financial stability. We use results and insights from our investments to improve advocacy opportunities to scale the most promising solutions, such as championing policies that promote digital equity and inclusion. We also advocate for improvements to local, state and federal tax credits for working families; address benefits cliffs; and promote economic mobility through skill-based hiring practices.
A prime example of our advocacy work: UWGC led the Southwest Ohio Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance to champion digital inclusion at the local and regional levels.
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