Overview

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

Vision: We envision a world where all people in Greater Cincinnati feel valued and supported, and they can access the resources they need to thrive — now and in the future.

United Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is dedicated to building long-term solutions and aligning systems to help families in our community thrive. We take a holistic approach to solving problems by bringing people and organizations together. Our work focuses on three community impact areas: educational success, financial empowerment and housing security. We create impact through three key strategies: We take action. We advocate. We invest. Each conveys a unique approach to drive evolving systems change in our region today and in the future.

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).

In 2023, 322,000 people were served across our region.

490+ community partners are helped daily through faith-based, grassroots and other organizations.

Simply dial 211, the United Way Helpline. The free, confidential, nonemergency Helpline is available 24/7/365 and is staffed by Care Coordinators who refer people to essential community services. You can also find help by visiting 211uwgc.org.

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/donate.

Giving to an agency provides immediate relief to an individual or family but when you invest in United Way — and your gift is combined with those from thousands of other generous individuals — United Way can substantially invest to solve deep-rooted problems and achieve results no one partner can achieve alone. The result is more people in our community can thrive.

If you are passionate about a specific program or community partner, we encourage you to continue to support them and invest in United Way's work.

Each dollar contributes significantly, amplifying the impact. For example, if you are paid weekly and give $5 per pay period ($130/year), six neighbors will receive help via United Way’s 211 Helpline.

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.

We believe our focus on systems-change work is vitally important to creating a more competitive, more prosperous and more equitable Greater Cincinnati. We collaborate with others to change systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice — especially for people of color. We aim to achieve equity and ensure fair and equitable access to opportunities for everyone in our region. For example, since 2020 our Black Empowerment Works grantmaking initiative has invested $5 million through its first four funding classes and grantee capacity-building investments.

• 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.