United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6.6+ million
• Partner Agencies: 80+ nonprofits
• People Served: 250,000+ annually
• Geographic Focus: Pima County, Arizona
• Founded: 1922 (over 100 years of service)
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4 Stars (100% score)

Contact Details

Address: 330 N. Commerce Park Loop, Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85745

Phone: (520) 903-9000

Email:

• General: info@unitedwaytucson.org
• Grant Inquiries: Grants@unitedwaytucson.org

Website: https://www.unitedwaytucson.org

Grant Application Page: https://unitedwaytucson.org/rfp/

211 Helpline: Dial 211 (24/7 free helpline connecting community members to resources)

Overview

Founded in 1922 as the Tucson Community Chest, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona celebrated its centennial in 2022, marking over a century of community impact. The organization has grown from funding 10 partner agencies in 1922 to actively working with more than 80 nonprofit organizations today. As a Four-Star rated charity by Charity Navigator with a perfect 100% score, United Way of Tucson serves more than 250,000 individuals annually—one in three people in the community—through strategic partnerships focused on education, financial wellness, healthy living, and affordable housing. The organization distributed more than $6.6 million into the region last year and leverages every dollar invested in its Community Impact Fund to secure more than $5 in additional local, state, and federal grants and volunteer support. In 2022, United Way established a $25 million Centennial Endowment Fund to sustain operations for the next 100 years. The organization serves as the anchor for the Cradle to Career Partnership, recognized by StriveTogether for its commitment to fostering systemic change that benefits youth, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants - Annual competitive grants awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Pima County residents. Grant amounts vary; a recent example includes a $20,000 grant to the International Rescue Committee for the Bridges to Prosperity program. Applications are typically released in July with submissions due in August for the following fiscal year.

Priority Areas

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona accepts funding proposals to address community impact goals in four key areas:

Educational Success

• Early Literacy programs
• Postsecondary Enrollment initiatives
• Read On Tucson (partnered with 20 high-need elementary schools serving more than 9,000 children)
• Cradle to Career Partnership (serving over 250,000 young people in Pima County)
• Up and Atom STEM Program (addressing the workforce gap for women of color in STEM)
• Kindergarten Readiness and High School Graduation programs
• Great Expectations program

Financial Wellness

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program offering free tax preparation to low- and moderate-income families (returned more than $20 million in federal refunds to low-income Arizona residents, including $6.4 million in Earned Income Tax Credit)
• Financial literacy programs
• Economic stability initiatives

Healthy Living

• Aging in Place programs through the ELDER Alliance
• Support for a strong system of services for older adults in Pima County
• Mental health care access
• Physical health programs

Housing Stability/Homelessness

• Prevention programs
• Rental assistance
• Eviction prevention
• Emergency housing support
• Utility assistance

Cross-Cutting Initiatives

• Family Support Alliance (supporting parents in their role to develop every aspect of a child's growth and learning)
• Pima Early Education Program Scholarships (PEEPs)
• Emergency assistance including food access, baby formula, diapers, essential health supplies, child care, and other critical services

What They Fund

• Evidence-based programs with measurable outcomes
• Services addressing one or more of their four priority areas
• Programs serving Pima County residents
• Initiatives that align with data-driven community needs
• Organizations committed to shared measurement and accountability
• Programs demonstrating equitable impact, particularly for marginalized communities

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly listed on their website, eligibility requirements indicate they do not fund:

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Organizations without a physical location in Pima County
• Organizations not serving Pima County residents
• Programs outside their four priority areas (Educational Success, Financial Wellness, Healthy Living, Housing Stability/Homelessness)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Vanecia Kerr - President and CEO (appointed 2025)

• Assumed leadership in July 2025, succeeding Tony Penn
• Quote: "I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve, and I look forward to hearing from our local staff, officers, board, and community members as we plan to build on the impact that United Way has had in this community for more than a century."
• Drawn to the role due to "a personal passion to serve" and the organization's community impact

Tony Penn - Former President and CEO (served 15 years through June 2025)

• Quote: "The impact of your United Way is executed through an actively engaged community, uniting around our guiding principle of building a thriving community."
• On Kerr's appointment: "I'm thrilled that Vanecia has decided to accept the position and look forward to welcoming her to Southern Arizona where she will take our organization to new heights of caring and serving families, our children, older adults, and vulnerable individuals and communities."

2025/2026 Board of Directors

Officers:

• Board Chair: President & Chair, NALHE; Market Chief Executive Officer, Carondelet Health Network
• Vice Chair: Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Tucson Electric Power
• Secretary: Executive Director, JP Morgan Private Bank
• Treasurer: Senior Audit Manager, La Frontera
• Campaign Chair: Vice President and Senior Banking Advisor, Northern Trust
• Board Development Chair: CEO/Managing Partner, NüPOINT Marketing
• Audit & Ethics Chair: Pima Area Labor Federation Chair

Previous Board Leadership (2023):

• Chair: Calline Sanchez (VP of Enterprise Storage, IBM)
• Vice Chair: Allison Duffy (President and Owner, Silverado Technologies)
• Treasurer: Steven Mankee (Owner, MBN Consulting Services)
• Secretary: Matthew Thrower (Project Executive, DPR Construction)

Recent Board Members:

• Helena Rodrigues (VP and Chief Human Resources Officer, University of Arizona)
• Misty Holmes (Executive Director, Strike Initiatives Program, Raytheon)
• Mimi Coomler (CEO, Tucson Medical Center)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona uses an annual competitive grant application process for Community Impact grants. The organization typically releases its Request for Proposals (RFP) in July each year for funding in the subsequent fiscal year.

Application Method:

• Electronic submissions only
• Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file with all RFP sections
• Naming structure: focusareacodeagencyname.pdf
• Organizations applying for more than one focus area must submit separate complete proposals in separate emails
• Submit to: Grants@unitedwaytucson.org

Application Materials: Available on their website at unitedwaytucson.org/rfp/ when the RFP is released

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Priority given to Qualifying Charitable Organizations in Arizona
• Must have a physical location in Pima County
• Must provide services to Pima County residents
• Must address one or more of the four priority areas: Educational Success, Financial Wellness, Healthy Living, or Housing Stability/Homelessness Prevention

Review Process: Grant applications are reviewed by a panel of community leaders, volunteers, and subject matter experts who evaluate:

• The organization's capacity to implement the project
• Potential impact on the community
• Alignment with United Way's mission and priority areas

Decision Timeline

Recent Timeline (FY 2025-2026):

• RFP Released: July 23, 2025
• Proposals Due: August 13, 2025, 5:00 PM
• Decision Announcement: Not publicly specified (contact Grants@unitedwaytucson.org for current timeline)
• Funding Period: Fiscal year basis (typically July 1 - June 30)

Applicants should check the RFP page regularly for the most current timeline for upcoming grant cycles.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, United Way of Tucson works with more than 80 partner agencies and distributes over $6.6 million annually, indicating a selective but substantial grantmaking program.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not detailed in publicly available materials. Applicants should review the annual RFP for guidance on reapplication or contact Grants@unitedwaytucson.org for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona's stated priorities and approach, successful applications should demonstrate:

Measurable Outcomes and Data-Driven Results

• Accountability is paramount: All programs receiving United Way funding are held accountable to quantifiable results and measurements, as well as comprehensive standards
• Include specific, measurable indicators of success aligned with United Way's focus areas
• Demonstrate commitment to shared measurement frameworks
• Show how your organization will track and report outcomes

Alignment with Community Impact Goals

• Clearly address one or more of the four priority areas: Educational Success (Early Literacy, Postsecondary Enrollment), Financial Wellness, Healthy Living (Aging in Place), or Housing Stability/Homelessness Prevention
• Use language that reflects United Way's focus on "building a thriving community"
• Show understanding of community-wide data and needs in Pima County

Evidence-Based Approaches

• Reference proven strategies and best practices in your field
• Demonstrate how your program implements "strategies that work"
• Show capacity for continuous learning and improvement

Equity and Inclusion

• Given United Way's goal to "increase equitable community impact" and their recognition for "fostering systemic change that benefits youth, particularly those from marginalized communities," strong applications should:
• Demonstrate how programs address disparities and reach underserved populations
• Show commitment to equitable outcomes, not just equal access
• Include data on diverse populations served

Collaborative Approach

• United Way values partnership and collective impact—over 100 years of success has been built on collaboration
• Demonstrate willingness to work with other agencies and share learnings
• Show how your program fits within broader community strategies (e.g., connection to Cradle to Career Partnership, ELDER Alliance, Read On Tucson, etc.)

Organizational Capacity

• Reviewers evaluate "the organization's capacity to implement the project"
• Provide evidence of strong organizational infrastructure
• Demonstrate financial stability and sound management practices
• Show qualified staff and appropriate governance

Return on Investment

• United Way leverages each dollar to secure more than $5 in additional funding
• Show how grant funds will be maximized
• Demonstrate ability to attract additional resources or in-kind support
• Highlight volunteer engagement opportunities

Pima County Impact

• Must serve Pima County residents and have physical presence in Pima County
• Demonstrate deep understanding of local community needs and context
• Show connections to local partnerships and networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Data and measurement matter most: United Way of Tucson holds all funded programs accountable to quantifiable results. Your application must include specific, measurable outcomes aligned with their priority areas.

• Align precisely with one of the four focus areas: Educational Success (Early Literacy, Postsecondary Enrollment), Financial Wellness, Healthy Living (Aging in Place), or Housing Stability/Homelessness Prevention. Generic applications won't succeed.

• Emphasize equity and systemic change: United Way's recognition for fostering systemic change for marginalized communities and their goal to "increase equitable community impact" means your application should demonstrate commitment to equitable outcomes, not just services.

• Apply early and follow formatting exactly: Submit as a single PDF with the specific naming structure (focusareacodeagencyname.pdf) by the August deadline. Late or incorrectly formatted applications may not be considered.

• Demonstrate collaborative capacity: With over 80 partner agencies and community-wide initiatives like Cradle to Career, United Way values organizations that work well with others and contribute to collective impact.

• Highlight leverage and sustainability: Show how your program maximizes resources (United Way achieves a 5:1 leverage ratio) and can sustain impact over time.

• Connect to existing United Way initiatives when relevant: If your work relates to Read On Tucson, Cradle to Career, ELDER Alliance, or other United Way initiatives, make those connections explicit while maintaining your unique value.

References

1. United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Official Website - https://unitedwaytucson.org/ (Accessed February 2026)

2. United Way of Tucson Grant Application Request for Proposals - https://unitedwaytucson.org/rfp/ (Accessed February 2026)

3. United Way of Tucson Contact Information - https://unitedwaytucson.org/contact/ (Accessed February 2026)

4. United Way of Tucson Board of Directors - https://unitedwaytucson.org/board-of-directors/ (Accessed February 2026)

5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (EIN: 86-0098932) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/860098932 (Accessed February 2026)

6. Charity Navigator Rating for United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/860098932 (Accessed February 2026)

7. GuideStar Profile - United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/86-0098932 (Accessed February 2026)

8. BizTUCSON - "United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Taps Vanecia Kerr as Next President, CEO" - https://biztucson.com/united-way-of-tucson-and-southern-arizona-taps-vanecia-kerr-as-next-president-ceo/ (Accessed February 2026)

9. Inside Tucson Business - "United Way Tucson assigns new CEO" - https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/business/united-way-tucson-assigns-new-ceo/article_01e2bd54-f5a6-47fb-acff-80defa48e893.html (Accessed February 2026)

10. United Way of Tucson People Profile: Vanecia Kerr - https://unitedwaytucson.org/people-profile-vanecia-kerr/ (Accessed February 2026)

11. Cradle To Career Partnership - https://c2cpima.org/ (Accessed February 2026)

12. Tucson Metro Chamber - "A Century of Collaboration: United Way's History Through Photos" - https://tucsonchamber.org/chamber-edge/a-century-of-collaboration-united-ways-history-through-photos/ (Accessed February 2026)

13. KOLD News - "United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona confers 2023 Circle of Excellence Awards" - https://www.kold.com/2023/05/10/united-way-tucson-southern-arizona-confers-2023-circle-excellence-awards/ (Accessed February 2026)

14. International Rescue Committee - "United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Funding" - https://www.rescue.org/announcement/united-way-tucson-and-southern-arizona-funding (Accessed February 2026)

15. United Way of Tucson Centennial Fund - https://unitedwaytucson.org/centennial-fund/ (Accessed February 2026)