United Way of King County

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $46.3 million (2024)
Annual Revenue: $78.7 million
Geographic Focus: King County, Washington
Founded: 1921 (Centennial celebrated in 2021)
Application Method: Participatory grantmaking - no traditional public application process
Community Focus: 69% of investments directed to community of color-based organizations

Contact Details

Address: 720 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Email: volunteers@uwkc.org (general inquiries)

For Nonprofits: Visit https://www.uwkc.org/for-nonprofits/ for partnership information

Overview

United Way of King County, originally founded as the Seattle Community Fund in 1921, is one of the region's largest philanthropic organizations. With annual revenue of $78.7 million and grant distribution of $46.3 million in 2024, the organization partners with over 100 service providers to address critical community challenges. Under President & CEO Gordon McHenry Jr.'s leadership since 2019, United Way has shifted toward participatory grantmaking models that cede decision-making power to communities of color. The organization focuses on four strategic areas: housing stability and homelessness prevention, food security, educational opportunities, and financial stability. In 2021, United Way celebrated its centennial, marking 100 years of service to King County. The organization has been recognized for its innovative approach to addressing racial inequities, with 69% of total investments now directed to community of color-based organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of King County operates primarily through participatory grantmaking models rather than traditional competitive grant programs:

Indigenous Communities Fund (Launched 2020)

$4 million allocated over three years, with an additional $1 million in subsequent fiscal years
Decision-making power ceded to 12 Seattle Urban Native Nonprofits (SUNN) members
Minimal reporting requirements and autonomy to disperse funds where needed most
Focuses on tackling COVID-19 effects and systemic issues faced by Indigenous communities

Black Community Building Collective (Launched 2020)

$7 million commitment to local, Black-led organizations
Coalition of 14 Black-led organizations determine funding allocation
Supports equitable recovery and long-term viability of King County's Black community
$1.5 million invested to date

Bridge to Finish Campaign

Partnerships with ten community and technical college campuses throughout King County
Benefits Hub AmeriCorps teams connect students to emergency grants, housing support, tax help, food pantries, and financial coaching
Targets first-generation students, students of color, and student parents
Focuses on increasing college completion rates

Emergent Need Grants

Addresses unexpected crises (asylum-seekers needing housing, natural disaster impacts)
Flexible funding model for rapid response

Home Base Program

Rental assistance for King County households
Partnership with City of Seattle and King County
Eviction prevention focus

Priority Areas

Housing and Homelessness

Stable housing and income support
Rental assistance and eviction prevention
Flexible dollars to break down barriers toward stable housing
Partnerships with 140 organizations to stop the spread of homelessness

Education

Support for low-income parents to ensure toddlers succeed in kindergarten
Youth reconnect programs with 1:1 mentoring, tutoring, and college/career navigation
Helping young people get back on track for graduation
On-campus resources for college students, particularly at community and technical colleges
Focus on ethnic- and culturally-integrative programs
Targeting high-need areas and campuses serving low-income communities

Financial Stability

Free Tax Prep campaign (over 10,000 tax returns filed annually)
Returns tens of millions in tax refunds to family budgets
Small business support through grants
Financial coaching services

Food Security

Healthy meal programs for children and families
Food pantry access and support

What They Don't Fund

While United Way of King County does not publish a comprehensive list of exclusions, typical United Way restrictions (based on comparable chapters) include:

Organizations that discriminate based on social or economic class, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, race, color, national origin, or religion
Political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
Fundraising activities or events
Individual needs such as scholarships or direct financial aid

Note: United Way of King County currently has no publicly available open funding opportunities. Organizations should check their website periodically or sign up for funding announcements.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Gordon McHenry Jr. (appointed September 2019)

Gordon McHenry Jr. brings extensive nonprofit and philanthropic experience to his role. He previously headed Solid Ground, a Seattle-area nonprofit working to dismantle poverty, and led Rainier Scholars, which champions educational opportunity for young people of color. Earlier in his career, he spent 21 years in philanthropy at The Boeing Company, including serving as Director of Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest.

Key Leadership Quotes:

On community-centered approach: "We don't say, 'Well, we serve a thousand people.' We say, 'We served a thousand people—and what percentage were women, people of color, immigrants, or refugees?'"

On his first months as CEO: "What are your highest priorities? How can we be a better partner?" with the goal of being grounded in the lived experience of those they're trying to support.

On measuring impact: United Way "anticipates areas where inequities exist based upon race and income, asks partners to develop strategies, and continuously uses information to reach the most vulnerable populations, address racial inequities, and fine-tune programs, services, strategies, and tactics."

On homelessness: Described it as "one of our region's highest priorities and deepest challenges."

Board of Directors:

The Board includes leaders with lived experience and deep community ties:

Michael Greer, President & CEO of ArtsFund
Nathan James, Senior Vice President at GMMB (strategic communications firm specializing in social change campaigns, focusing on early childhood and K-12 education)
Bree Kame'enui, Senior Corporate Counsel at Weyerhaeuser
Representatives from Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Vice President, External Affairs at Comcast Pacific Northwest Region

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of King County does not have a traditional public application process. The organization operates primarily through participatory grantmaking models where decision-making power is ceded to community-based coalitions.

How Grants Are Awarded:

Participatory Grantmaking: Community coalitions (such as the Indigenous Communities Fund members and Black Community Building Collective) determine funding allocation based on community-identified needs.
Strategic Partnerships: United Way partners with organizations where strategies align with their focus areas. They periodically solicit competitive applications for specific initiatives.
Community Identification: Grant recipients are often identified through existing community networks and partnerships rather than through open calls for proposals.

For Organizations Interested in Funding:

Visit the "For Nonprofits" page at https://www.uwkc.org/for-nonprofits/
Sign up for funding opportunity announcements on their website
Currently, there are no publicly available funding opportunities (as of recent search)
The organization suggests checking back later for new opportunities

Getting on Their Radar

Participate in Community Coalitions: United Way's participatory grantmaking model means that decisions are made by community-based coalitions. Organizations serving Indigenous communities should connect with the Seattle Urban Native Nonprofits (SUNN) network. Black-led organizations should explore connections with the Black Community Building Collective member organizations.

Align with Strategic Priorities: Demonstrate clear alignment with United Way's four focus areas: housing stability, food security, education, and financial stability. Particularly strong consideration is given to organizations that serve communities of color and address racial inequities.

Demonstrate Community-Centered Approach: Given CEO Gordon McHenry Jr.'s emphasis on being "grounded in the lived experience of those they're trying to support," organizations that demonstrate deep community ties and community-led decision-making may be better positioned.

Engage Through Volunteer Programs: United Way operates a Volunteer Center that connects people to volunteer opportunities. Building relationships through volunteer engagement may help organizations become known to United Way.

Decision Timeline

Information about specific decision timelines is not publicly available due to the participatory grantmaking model, where community coalitions make funding decisions on their own schedules.

For the Indigenous Communities Fund and Black Community Building Collective, funding is allocated through multi-year commitments rather than annual application cycles.

Success Rates

United Way of King County made 109 awards in 2024 and 290 awards in 2023, totaling $46.3 million in 2024. However, because there is no traditional public application process, success rate percentages are not applicable in the conventional sense.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a traditional application process. Organizations funded through participatory grantmaking coalitions receive multi-year commitments with minimal reporting requirements and continued funding based on community coalition decisions.

Application Success Factors

Since United Way of King County does not operate a traditional competitive grant application process, the following factors are important for organizations seeking to partner with them:

Alignment with Participatory Grantmaking Values

United Way describes participatory grantmaking as "an intentional way of combating potential colonialist, white supremacy-rooted elements of philanthropy"
Organizations should demonstrate commitment to shifting power to communities most impacted
Community-led decision-making and governance structures are highly valued

Racial Equity Focus

69% of United Way's investments are directed to community of color-based organizations
Organizations should demonstrate how they address racial inequities
McHenry emphasizes asking: "What percentage were women, people of color, immigrants, or refugees?" when measuring impact

Strategic Alignment

Housing stability and homelessness prevention
Educational opportunities, particularly for students of color and first-generation students
Financial stability and economic mobility
Food security

Data-Driven with Community Focus

McHenry emphasizes organizations that "continuously use information to reach the most vulnerable populations, address racial inequities, and fine-tune programs, services, strategies, and tactics"
Balance quantitative outcomes with lived experience narratives

Community Partnership Readiness

United Way emphasizes being a partner rather than a traditional funder
Organizations should be prepared to engage in collaborative relationships
Flexibility and responsiveness to emerging community needs

Examples of Funded Work:

140 organizations funded to help stop the spread of homelessness
Benefits Hub AmeriCorps teams on ten community and technical college campuses
Free Tax Prep services (over 10,000 returns annually)
Emergency rental assistance programs
Organizations identified through the Indigenous Communities Fund and Black Community Building Collective

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No traditional application process exists - United Way of King County primarily uses participatory grantmaking where community coalitions make funding decisions. Organizations cannot simply submit an application.
Focus on community of color-based organizations - With 69% of investments directed to these organizations, racial equity is central to United Way's strategy.
Participatory grantmaking is the model - Decision-making power is ceded to community coalitions (Indigenous Communities Fund, Black Community Building Collective). Get involved with these coalitions if eligible.
Multi-year commitments with minimal reporting - United Way's participatory funds provide multi-year support with autonomy for recipients, reflecting a trust-based philanthropy approach.
Strategic alignment is essential - Even without open applications, organizations must align with the four priority areas: housing, education, financial stability, and food security.
Relationship-based funding - Building relationships through community networks, partnerships, and volunteer engagement is more important than crafting a perfect proposal.
Monitor for periodic opportunities - While there are currently no open funding opportunities, United Way periodically solicits competitive applications for specific initiatives. Sign up for announcements at their nonprofit resources page.

References

United Way of King County official website. "Community Grants." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/get-involved/learn/community-grants/
United Way of King County. "For Nonprofits." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/for-nonprofits/
United Way of King County. "United Way Leadership." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/about-us/leadership/
United Way of King County. "Partnerships." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/what-we-do/partnerships/
United Way of King County. "Fighting the inequities of COVID-19." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/news/fighting-the-inequities-of-covid-19/
United Way of King County. "Indigenous Communities Fund Background." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/wp-content/uploads/ftp/indigenous-fund/Indigenous-Fund-One-Sheet.pdf
United Way of King County. "Black Community Building Collective." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/what-we-do/partnerships/black-community-building-collective/
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "United Way of King County - Form 990 Filings." EIN 91-0565555. Accessed December 23, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/910565555
Instrumentl. "United Way Of King County | Seattle, WA | 990 Report." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/united-way-of-king-county
LinkedIn. "Reimagine: A conversation with Gordon McHenry, United Way of King County CEO, on driving positive community change." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reimagine-conversation-gordon-mchenry-united-way-king-chris-capossela
PR Newswire. "United Way Of King County Names New President And CEO After Rigorous National Search." September 2019. Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-way-of-king-county-names-new-president-and-ceo-after-rigorous-national-search-300912868.html
United Way of King County. "United Way of King County Celebrates Centennial." 2021. Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.uwkc.org/breaking-the-cycle-of-poverty-news/united-way-of-king-county-celebrates-centennial/
GuideStar. "United Way of King County Profile." EIN 91-0565555. Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/91-0565555
Charity Navigator. "Rating for United Way of King County." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/910565555
United Way Worldwide. "United Way King County Partners with Indigenous Communities." Accessed December 23, 2025. https://www.unitedway.org/news/united-way-king-county-partners-with-indigenous-communities