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United Way of Greater Charlotte

Annual Giving
$16.0M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.1M
Success Rate
9%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16-18 million
  • Success Rate: 9% for Unite Charlotte (20 awards from 226 applications); varies by program
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; invitation-only for regional grants
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $60,000+ (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, and Anson Counties in North Carolina

Contact Details

Overview

United Way of Greater Charlotte was founded approximately 90 years ago during the Great Depression as "Emergency Relief" to help those affected through collective giving. Today, the organization distributes $16-18 million annually across the Greater Charlotte region, funding solutions to lift individuals and families out of poverty. In 2024, they awarded grants to 186 organizations; in 2025, this increased to 134 organizations receiving Impact Grants plus 55 through Unite Charlotte and 74 through United Neighborhoods. The organization takes a data-driven, community-led approach, working collaboratively with local government, businesses, faith communities, and grassroots nonprofits. Under the leadership of President and CEO Kathryn Firmin-Sellers (appointed in 2025), United Way emphasizes innovative, neighborhood-based solutions that prioritize the voices of those closest to the problems. The organization has received a Four-Star rating (100%) from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Impact Grants: Traditional funding model supporting comprehensive and coordinated services across the five-county region through a network of partners. In 2025, $9 million awarded to 134 organizations.

Unite Charlotte: Supports grassroots organizations led by people of color. Provides $3 million+ to 55 agencies annually. Year 1 includes a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University; Years 2-3 provide larger annual grants and executive coaching. Note: No grant cycle for FY26 as the program transitions to a new cohort model.

United Neighborhoods: Community-led, place-based initiative serving Charlotte's six Corridors of Opportunity, North Mecklenburg, and specific neighborhoods (Grier Heights, Lakeview, Renaissance West). Invested $4.9 million in 74 organizations in 2024. Closed process for currently funded agencies only.

Regional Investments:

  • Anson County: Education and Economic Opportunity (invitation only). Focus on childhood literacy and mentoring, housing stability, food security.
  • Cabarrus County: Mental wellness initiatives (invitation only). Focus on mental health literacy, reducing stigma, culturally appropriate healthcare. Over $847,000 to 20 nonprofits across surrounding counties.
  • Union County: Education, Economic Opportunity, Healthcare (invitation only). Focus on childhood literacy and mentoring, afterschool support for intellectual/developmental disabilities, housing stability, food security.

SAFE Charlotte: Partnership with City of Charlotte. $50,000 grants (20 total) to 501(c)(3) organizations addressing violent crime and increasing safety in neighborhoods most affected by violence.

A Home For All: $5.3 million from City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County addressing homelessness and housing instability.

Priority Areas

  • Childhood literacy and mentoring programs for youth
  • Housing stability
  • Food security (access to affordable fresh and healthy foods)
  • Mental wellness
  • Afterschool support for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities
  • Economic opportunity and pathways out of poverty
  • Violence prevention and community safety

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Contact communityimpact@unitedwaygreaterclt.org for eligibility questions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, President & CEO (effective April 1, 2025): Previously served as Chief Impact Officer and Executive Vice President. Emphasizes community-led solutions: "We really lean into this belief that people who are closest to a problem are closest to a solution." Describes the organization as "data-driven" and focuses on grassroots and grasstops approaches.
  • Jamese Ivy, Senior Vice President, Chief Impact Officer
  • Kendra Green, Senior Vice President, Chief Finance and Operations Officer
  • Bob Young, Vice President, Executive Operations
  • Cassie Boesch, Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Board of Directors

  • Bill Currens (Chair), Duke Energy
  • Ron Messenger (Vice Chair), Grant Thornton
  • Raj Natarajan (Past Chair), McGuireWoods
  • Avaleen Crawford Williams (Finance Vice Chair), PWC
  • Joe Wall (Finance Chair), Elliott Davis
  • Brian Middleton (CI Chair), Atrium Health
  • Additional members from Wells Fargo, RSM US, Wingate University, Carolinas Complete Health, and other regional organizations

The board follows governance best practices developed with BoardSource, conducts formal orientation, and requires annual conflict-of-interest policy reviews.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Most grant programs are invitation-only or closed processes. Current status:

  • Anson County: 2025 grant application by invitation only
  • Union County: 2025 grant application by invitation only
  • Cabarrus County: 2025 grant application by invitation only
  • United Neighborhoods: Closed process for currently funded agencies only
  • Unite Charlotte: No grant cycle for FY26; transitioning to new cohort model with details to be shared in 2026

When applications are open, all submissions are assessed through a community-led review process where staff and volunteers evaluate local collaborations and approaches for lasting impact.

For specific opportunities like SAFE Charlotte: Competitive grant applications required for 501(c)(3) organizations meeting City of Charlotte guidelines.

Getting on Their Radar

United Way of Greater Charlotte uses a data-driven approach to identify community needs and partners. As CEO Kathryn Firmin-Sellers explains: "Residents tell us what their priorities are" and "we will use the data to tell us where to invest, and we will also invest where there is the greatest need."

Organizations seeking to partner with United Way should:

  • Participate in community-led discussions and needs assessments in their geographic area
  • Email communityimpact@unitedwaygreaterclt.org to express interest and learn about future funding opportunities
  • For United Neighborhoods inquiries: unitedneighborhoods@unitedwaygreaterclt.org
  • Demonstrate alignment with priority focus areas (childhood literacy, housing stability, food security, mental wellness)
  • Build relationships with current United Way partners and board members from corporate and community sectors
  • Attend United Way community events and engagement opportunities

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by program and are not publicly specified. Contact communityimpact@unitedwaygreaterclt.org for specific program timelines.

Success Rates

Unite Charlotte: Approximately 9% success rate (20 awards from 226 applications in one cycle)

Overall: United Way made 186 awards in 2024 and 200 awards in 2023. Success rates for other programs not publicly available but likely highly competitive given the invitation-only nature of most regional grants.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Given the invitation-only and closed nature of most programs, contact communityimpact@unitedwaygreaterclt.org for guidance on reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way of Greater Charlotte's documented priorities and funded projects:

Community-Led and Data-Driven: Organizations demonstrating community leadership and data-driven approaches align with United Way's core strategy. CEO Firmin-Sellers emphasizes that "people who are closest to a problem are closest to a solution."

Diverse and Inclusive Leadership: Unite Charlotte specifically prioritizes "grassroots organizations whose leadership is highly reflective of the community they serve" and aims to "grow a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of nonprofit leaders in Charlotte."

Collaborative Partnerships: United Way values organizations that work collaboratively to provide "comprehensive and coordinated services." They look for "local collaborations and approaches that can create a lasting impact."

Focus on Economic Opportunity: All programs emphasize "building pathways towards economic opportunity" and helping people "lift out of poverty and improve economic mobility."

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for organizations serving specific neighborhoods, particularly Charlotte's six Corridors of Opportunity, North Mecklenburg, Grier Heights, Lakeview, Renaissance West, and the four surrounding counties.

Recent Funded Examples:

  • Despierta: Received $60,000 to bring services directly to four underserved communities and two schools
  • Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County: Funded for mental wellness focus
  • Charlotte Gaymers Network, Applesauce Group, Money Magnets Club, Exodus Foundation: Unite Charlotte recipients
  • Achieving Success on Purpose, BFIT Big Dreams Youth, Building Hope Building Commitment, Da Tribe, Feeding Charlotte, Girl Flow, Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, Just Do It Movement, Power Is Giving, Rooted Hearts Ministries, Springclean, StriveCLT, The Boost Pad, Youth Style Fitness: Additional Unite Charlotte partners

Capacity Building Readiness: Unite Charlotte recipients must be ready to participate in Duke University's nonprofit management certificate program and executive coaching, demonstrating commitment to organizational growth.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Most programs are invitation-only: Regional grants for Anson, Cabarrus, and Union counties operate by invitation only. Proactive relationship-building is essential.
  • Data matters: United Way is explicitly data-driven. Applications should demonstrate measurable impact and use data to identify community needs.
  • Community voice is central: Show that your organization is led by and responsive to the communities you serve. "Residents tell us what their priorities are" is a core principle.
  • Collaboration is valued: United Way prioritizes organizations that work as part of coordinated networks rather than in isolation.
  • Focus on economic mobility: All funding ultimately aims to lift people out of poverty. Connect your work to economic opportunity pathways.
  • Grassroots organizations are prioritized: Unite Charlotte specifically targets smaller, community-based organizations with diverse leadership.
  • Geographic specificity: Know which program aligns with your service area (Impact Grants for Mecklenburg, regional programs for surrounding counties, United Neighborhoods for specific Charlotte corridors).
  • Capacity building commitment: If applying to Unite Charlotte (when open), be prepared to invest staff time in training and organizational development.

References

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