MAKE AN IMPACT

WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN

UNITED WE THRIVE

United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s annual workplace campaign brings together your employees’ generosity with your organization’s charitable spirit, creating a powerful force for good. Every contribution — no matter the size — makes a difference, and when combined with those of your colleagues, it amplifies our ability to help more neighbors thrive.

Two people stand close together in a room set up for an event, with tables, chairs, and framed pictures on the walls. One wears a blue dress, the other a black and white patterned blouse.
Candace McGraw (right), 2025 United Way Campaign Chair

BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE TAKES ALL OF US.

I’m honored to serve as Chair of the 2025 United Way Community Campaign.

“For more than a decade, I had the privilege of leading one of our region’s key economic engines — Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Every day, I witnessed how thoughtful planning, collaboration and shared responsibility could connect people to opportunity and move our community forward.

“That same spirit is what fuels the work of United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

“Under the leadership of Moira Weir — a dedicated social worker and longtime champion for children and families — United Way is driving lasting change through financial empowerment, educational success, and housing security. Together, we are building stronger runways for our neighbors to thrive.

“It’s why I’ve proudly accepted this role. Because when every individual has the tools to succeed, our entire region takes flight.

“If you already support United Way — thank you. We need you.

“And if you haven’t yet joined this movement, now is the time — because it needs you too.

Candace McGraw

THANK YOU TO OUR
WORKPLACES THAT CARE®

These workplaces empower their employees to get involved, volunteer and give back to our community. 

2025 Workplace Campaign Toolkit

The Workplace Campaign toolkit contains tools and resources for you to design the perfect workplace campaign.

A mother with glasses and long blonde hair kneels on the floor, smiling and engaging with two young children playing with toy dinosaurs in a colorful classroom. The children, a boy in a navy blue shirt and beige pants and a toddler in gray overalls, sit on a patterned rug surrounded by toys.

STORYTELLING

Every gift to United Way can be life-changing for children, families and neighbors. Use these real stories throughout your campaign — at events, in emails, on your intranet, and social media platforms — to show the impact and inspire action

Two people stand side by side in a garden holding tools, wearing white T-shirts that say "United We Thrive.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering isn’t just giving time; it’s witnessing your donations’ impact firsthand, connecting you to real change. It’s a powerful tool for ongoing engagement, especially when paired with collective giving.

IMPACT EXPERIENCES

These hands-on, gamified activities connect employees directly to community needs and the real impact of their support.

Tailored for young professionals, new hires and employee resource groups, Impact Experiences are a powerful way to inspire purpose and foster lasting engagement.

NEW TO UNITED WAY?

Contact us for workplace engagement opportunities tailored to your organization’s goals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Questions

We fight for the economic well-being of all people in Greater Cincinnati so our entire community can thrive – now and in the future.

We are so much more than a fundraiser. We are passionate advocates, dedicated to driving lasting impact through targeted community investments, policy and direct services. By embedding ourselves in the community, listening and gathering data, we ensure the challenges families face today aren’t holding back the generations of tomorrow.

We serve nine counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana – Hamilton, Brown and Clermont (Southwest Ohio); Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton (Northern Kentucky); Dearborn and Ohio (Southeast Indiana).

United Way served 330,000 people across our region in 2024.

United Way partnered with 600+ community organizations in 2024.

Simply dial 211 to speak to a trained professional who can connect you to essential community services. Our United Way 211 team will listen, engage, ask questions, assess your needs and connect you to community resources within our large database of local providers.

Giving

You can donate online at any time or make a gift during your company’s annual United Way Campaign. Explore other ways to give at: uwgc.org/give.

Your gift through United Way does more than meet one need — it connects families to a whole network of solutions.

Imagine a family experiencing homelessness. A single agency might provide food or shelter. But to truly get back on their feet, they may also need job training, affordable childcare and counseling. With your support, United Way ensures all of these resources are available — and that families can access them without falling through the cracks.

United Way has the expertise to see the bigger picture. We bring together agencies, advocate for policy change and make strategic investments so that your generosity reaches further. Together, your gift and United Way’s leadership create lasting change for families and for our community.

Every dollar helps a neighbor — right here, where it matters most. For example, if you give $10 per pay period (26 installments) it’s enough to connect 13 neighbors in need to food, housing or utility assistance through United Way 211.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati is a federally registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by an individual’s or corporation’s circumstances.

Those contributing through payroll deduction in their workplace should keep a copy of their e-pledge receipt or signed pledge card and maintain their last pay stub of the tax year or Form W-2 from their employer that summarizes the amount withheld for United Way.

For every $1 donated, 84 cents goes back into the community – a ratio that exceeds Better Business Bureau guidelines.

Administrative costs empower a broad team of experts who ensure effective and efficient United Way operations, support corporate relationships, influence public policy and convene resources to develop solutions to our community’s systemic problems.

Neither United Way nor its volunteers believe people should be forced to give. United Way discourages coercion in any form. Pressure defeats the very idea of voluntary giving. Any semblance of pressure – whether real, implied or perceived – is contradictory to United Way’s operating standards.

Designations

Each local United Way is an independent nonprofit that decides, in partnership with community leaders,
which organizations are eligible to receive designations. United Way Worldwide maintains a database of these eligible organizations. This list is updated annually and appears in United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s ePledge system for donors.

Yes. When you give to United Way, you’re strengthening the community you call home. Every dollar stays local — invested back into programs and services right here, guided by a board of local residents who know the community’s needs best.

As part of a global network, local United Ways contribute a small portion of funds (about 1% of what’s raised) to United Way Worldwide. This gives your local team access to national research, proven strategies and training that make your gift even more effective.

With your generosity and United Way’s expertise, we ensure your neighbors get the help they need — and your community grows stronger.

Designations can only be directed to United Way Agency Partners or to other organizations that your local United Way has approved through the campaign and ePledge system.

Agency Partners are committed to work that aligns with United Way’s mission. This means your investment supports a coordinated network of causes making a difference in your community.

Through the ePledge system, you have the option to designate part or all of your gift to eligible organizations listed. While this feature is available, many donors choose to give directly to United Way, allowing their gift to support the full network of services and create the greatest impact across your community.

Only organizations that partner with local United Ways are eligible for designations. If there’s an organization you believe should be included, you can contact your local United Way.

In rare occasions, designations cannot be fulfilled because the nonprofit closes or is unqualified. To ensure the gift stays in the affected donor’s community, the designation will be directed to the donor’s local United Way.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s funding approach is based on a selection process rather than ongoing or guaranteed support. While we aim to support as many agencies as possible, resources are limited, and difficult decisions must be made. Alongside staff, community reviewers — volunteers who generously share their time and expertise — help guide the process to ensure decisions align with our strategic plan and create the strongest possible outcomes for families in our region.

The shift in funding reflects a focus on addressing root causes and supporting long-term solutions, particularly around family economic well-being. This does not mean stepping away from critical programs, but rather investing strategically so fewer families will need emergency support in the future.

With deep experience in policy advocacy, resource coordination and volunteer mobilization, United Way is uniquely positioned to ensure your gift goes further — helping neighbors today while creating lasting change for the entire community.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email [email protected].

Impact

View our latest impact report to learn how we work with local organizations, volunteers and advocates to make real progress on issues that matter.

  • Planned Parenthood, abortion and/or pro-choice: United Way of Greater Cincinnati does not actively support programs that work specifically in this space. We have never funded Planned Parenthood. (Grantees are listed on our Form 990). Please note that while United Way of Greater Cincinnati is an independent 501(c)(3), we are part of a network of organizations that use United Way branding. There are other United Ways that do support these issues or organizations with their local fundraising.
  • LGBTQIA+: United Way does not have a specific grant focus on this population. We prioritize funding to community partners focused on supporting populations experiencing financial insecurity. As a result, some funded and/or initiative partners — such as Caracole and Lighthouse Youth & Family Services — address the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. We have improved the resources available in our 211 database to support the needs of this community.
  • Latino or other immigrant communities: United Way does not have a specific grant focus on this population. We prioritize funding to community partners focused on supporting populations experiencing financial insecurity. As a result, some funded and/or initiative partners — such as Every Child Succeeds, Catholic Charities/Su Casa, Islamic Center and Santa Maria Community Services — address the unique needs of the Latino community and other immigrant/refugee populations. We have improved language interpretation for United Way 211 and our Free Tax Prep service.

© 2024 United Way Greater Cincinnati. All rights reserved.

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