United Way Worldwide - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $15,323,180 (United Way Worldwide direct grants, 2023)
Number of Awards: 296 grants (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Varies by program
Grant Range: Not standardized (United Way Worldwide operates primarily as network coordinator)
Geographic Focus: International (45 countries, 1,800 local affiliates)

Contact Details

Address: 701 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-836-7100 or 703-836-7112 (main); 800-892-2757 (toll-free)

Email:

General: uwo.admin@unitedway.org
Media inquiries: pr@unitedway.org

Website: www.unitedway.org

Contact page: unitedway.org/contact

Overview

United Way Worldwide, founded in 1887, serves as the leadership and support organization for a network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways operating in 45 countries and territories. The organization has EIN 13-1635294 and is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. United Way Worldwide made 296 grants totaling $15,323,180 in 2023, with a highly efficient program expense ratio of 92.91%. However, it is crucial to understand that United Way Worldwide functions primarily as a coordinating umbrella organization, not as a direct grantmaker. Each local United Way operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of directors, fundraising efforts, and grantmaking priorities. Local United Ways pay membership dues (1% of funds raised for U.S. affiliates) to United Way Worldwide for brand licensing, support services, and coordination. The organization's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. In recent years, United Way has been recognized for its community-centered evolution and commitment to equity, with President and CEO Angela F. Williams receiving recognition among top nonprofit leaders.

Funding Priorities

Organizational Structure Note

CRITICAL: United Way Worldwide does not operate a centralized grant application process for nonprofits seeking funding. Instead, grantmaking occurs through the network of independent local United Way organizations. Organizations seeking United Way funding should contact their local United Way affiliate directly.

Focus Areas

United Way's work centers around four key impact areas:

Healthy Community: Improving access to health care and promoting healthy living
Youth Opportunity: Helping children and youth achieve their potential through education
Financial Security: Promoting economic mobility and financial stability
Community Resiliency: Building stronger, more resilient communities

Equity and Diversity Priorities

United Way prioritizes advancing equity in grantmaking and resource allocation decisions, including:

Prioritizing organizations led by people of color
Supporting organizations explicitly focusing on advancing equity with communities of color
Balancing investments between long-term systemic change and direct service provision
Including equity as a weighted criterion in major monetary and strategic decisions

Historical Grant Recipients

Major recipients through the United Way network have included:

American Cancer Society
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Catholic Charities
Girl Scouts
Boy Scouts
The Salvation Army

What Local United Ways Typically Don't Fund

While this varies by local affiliate, United Ways generally do not fund:

Political organizations or campaigns
Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
Individuals seeking personal assistance
Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

Angela F. Williams serves as President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. She is the first Black woman to serve in this role in the organization's 135-year history. Williams is focused on scaling community-driven solutions and breaking down systemic barriers to equity, economic mobility, and social justice.

Key Quote: "We are moving the needle on inclusion by engaging all groups in conversations and the decisions that impact them."

Williams has announced plans for a leadership transition to care for her mother, though no fixed end date has been set as of the research date. She has been recognized among the top 50 nonprofit leaders and is known for her leadership philosophy grounded in service and community-driven solutions.

Organizational Structure

Each local United Way is governed by its own independent board of directors. United Way Worldwide's board and leadership team provide guidance and support to the network while maintaining the autonomy of local affiliates.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way Worldwide does not have a public grant application process.

The organization's grants are primarily directed to support its network of local United Way organizations rather than to external nonprofits seeking community funding. Organizations seeking United Way funding should:

Contact their local United Way affiliate directly - Each of the approximately 1,800 local United Ways operates independently with its own funding priorities, application processes, and deadlines
Visit www.unitedway.org to find your local United Way using the location finder
Review your local United Way's specific funding priorities and application requirements - these vary significantly by community

How United Way Worldwide Functions

United Way Worldwide operates as a coordinating organization that:

Provides support services to local United Way affiliates
Licenses the United Way brand (affiliates pay 1% of funds raised in membership dues)
Sets network-wide standards and best practices
Coordinates international operations
Makes strategic grants to support the network and key initiatives

Local United Way Application Processes

While United Way Worldwide itself doesn't accept public applications, local United Ways typically operate with:

Rolling applications or fixed annual deadlines (varies by location)
Letter of Intent (LOI) processes followed by full applications
Online submission systems
Community Impact Councils or volunteer review committees
Annual funding cycles with specific timeline announcements

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by local United Way affiliate. Based on examples from local United Ways, the process typically involves:

Review by staff and volunteer committees
Objective scoring using standardized rubrics
Site visits and due diligence for larger grants
Board approval for final funding decisions
Notification typically several months after application deadlines

Application Success Factors

Note: These factors apply primarily to local United Way grantmaking, as United Way Worldwide does not have a public application process.

Alignment with Local Priorities

Local United Ways are community-driven organizations that identify specific local issues and focus their grantmaking accordingly. Success depends on:

Strong alignment with the local United Way's stated focus areas and strategic priorities
Demonstrable impact in the specific community served
Programs that address locally-identified needs

Data and Measurement

United Way organizations prioritize data-driven grantmaking:

Clear, measurable outcomes and impact metrics
Semi-annual quantitative and qualitative reporting requirements
Demonstrated capacity to collect and report on program data
Evidence of program effectiveness

Equity and Inclusion

Based on United Way's Equity Framework guidance:

Organizations led by people of color or explicitly focusing on equity are prioritized
Programs should demonstrate commitment to engaging communities in decisions that impact them
Balance between direct services and systemic change efforts

Organizational Capacity

501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (typically required)
Minimum operational history (often one year or more)
Strong financial standing and fiscal management
Independent audits and financial reviews
Compliance with governance standards

Examples from Local United Ways

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (2023):

Selected 100 grantees from 500+ applicants (~20% success rate)
$50,000 grants awarded in first year
Focus on early learning, career pathways, financial empowerment, and community resiliency

United Way of Greater Cincinnati (2024-2025):

Invested $11.3 million in 81 community partners
Focus on educational success, financial empowerment, and housing security

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Contact your local United Way, not United Way Worldwide - United Way Worldwide does not operate a public grant application process for organizations seeking funding. All grantmaking for community organizations happens through independent local United Way affiliates.
Each local United Way is unique - There is no standardized United Way application process. Local affiliates have their own priorities, timelines, grant sizes, and requirements based on community needs.
Demonstrate measurable impact - United Way organizations across the network emphasize data collection, outcome measurement, and evidence-based programming. Be prepared to report quantitative and qualitative results.
Equity is a priority - Organizations led by people of color and those explicitly advancing equity are prioritized in many United Way funding decisions. Show how your organization engages communities in decision-making.
Build relationships early - United Way funding often involves multi-year partnerships. Start building relationships with your local United Way well before seeking funding, and participate in community initiatives they lead.
Understand the franchise model - While all United Ways share the brand and core values, they operate with significant autonomy. Research shows some local United Ways have success rates around 20% for competitive grant programs, with review processes involving community volunteers and objective scoring rubrics.
Workplace giving drives the model - United Way raises funds primarily through workplace campaigns with payroll deductions. Understanding this fundraising model helps contextualize their community investment approach.

References

Date Accessed: December 24, 2025