How We Work

United Way understands that it takes the whole community, working together, to achieve results. To that end, United Way partners with local non-profits, businesses, governments, community leaders and volunteers to build and implement education, income and health initiatives that aim to solve problems before they start.

Our work begins with the fundamental belief that all people deserve a quality education, enough income to support a family and good health. Our approach to developing and implementing initiatives with our partners is driven by that guiding principle.

Step 1: Identify Issues

To begin the investment process, United Way researches and identifies the most pressing community issues within Education, Income, Health and seeks to understand their root causes. By identifying the root causes of social issues, we are able to address and solve problems before they start.

Step 2: Develop Strategies

Throughout the strategy creation phase United Way focuses on creating game-changing impact by finding working solutions that are sustainable, scalable and measurable. In late-stage projects, we use this step to refine our strategies, adjust implementation, or, if required, reevaluate and change course.

Step 3: Align Partners

United Way conducts extensive due diligence on potential partners, selecting outstanding, best-of-breed organizations and people that will help us deliver the greatest results. Once everyone is aligned and clear on goals and next steps, we move into the implementation phase.

Step 4: Implement Solutions

Throughout this stage, United Way will manage partnerships to achieve the stated goals of the organization and initiative. United Way plays a diverse role in each initiative, including: convening stakeholders, building collaboratives, developing and administering programs, conducting public education, disseminating best practices, and advocating for policy changes.

Step 5: Measure Results

Internal and external measurement of progress and results is important to any strategy. we use these results to measure and improve our effectiveness. In each case, we also measure outcomes against our stated goals in Education, Income and Health to assure that we have an enduring and systemic impact on the problems facing our region.