Our Work
Focusing on education, health and financial stability, United Way works to address our community’s economic mobility challenges, while always providing a safety net for our neighbors that face unexpected life challenges.
Whether it’s the needs of an entire neighborhood or simply the needs a family has for tomorrow, we’re always working together with our community to improve economic mobility and ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We achieve success through
LEADERSHIP
With over 85 years’ experience, we are experts in the causes we fight for. We respond and solve complex problems, lead conversations on social issues and leverage community voices to work together in creating change.
EFFICIENCY
By funding local nonprofits and pooling our resources, we empower them to focus on fulfilling their mission and providing services directly and quickly to the people who need them most. Unrestricted grant funding allows for flexibility in using funds where the greatest needs exist.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We vet our partner agencies through an extensive community-based evaluation process, requiring them to track outcomes every year so our donors know that their gifts will be used wisely and efficiently.
The Hard Truth
A child born in poverty in the Southeast has very little chance of climbing out if it during his or her lifetime. In fact, Charlotte-Mecklenburg ranked 50th out of 50 among the largest U.S. cities in economic mobility in a recent Harvard University/UC Berkeley study. All too often, access to economic opportunity in our region is aligned with the zip code and neighborhood where one lives. That must change.
A Trusted Leader
When we come together with one voice, our community is truly advocating for our neighbors in need. From our unique position at the center of the nonprofit, government, philanthropic and business communities, United Way drives focused collaboration among our partners to address community-specific challenges with an emphasis on education, health and financial stability, and to provide avenues for everyone to engage in creating change.
AN ENVIRONMENT OF OPPORTUNITY
To create an environment of opportunity for all, we focus on building stronger neighborhoods, improving the systems that serve children and families and providing basic needs support across our region. This targeted approach is fueled by broad civic engagement that brings together the people, resources and services necessary to improve economic mobility.
Focusing on education, health, financial stability and basic needs, we work to address our community’s economic mobility challenges. Our two-generation approach supports the entire family by intentionally focusing on the needs of both parent and child.
Education
We invest in the future of our community, starting with early education and ensuring children have access to the resources needed to improve literacy and raise graduation rates.
Learn MoreHEALTH
We improve health and wellness by increasing access to health care and providing people the information and resources needed to make healthy choices.
Learn MoreFINANCIAL STABILITY
We help families achieve financial stability, reduce homelessness, and eliminate barriers to housing.
Learn MoreBasic Needs
We equip families with the tools they need to address or prevent crises, so basic needs are never out of reach.
Learn MoreResearch & Reports
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services and United Way have released the first-ever assessment of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg emergency shelter system. Among its findings, the report illustrates the importance of connecting solutions for housing and homelessness in our community.
Assessment of Capacity and Utilization
Executive Summary
System Solutions Handout
In partnership with Child Care Resources Inc., United Way helped develop this report about the impact of trauma on young children and families, plus strategies, interventions and next steps.
Creating a Trauma-Informed Early Childhood System Full Report
Communities We Serve
We’re working to create lasting change across the globe by starting in our backyards. We serve our families, friends and neighbors in need throughout five counties in the Charlotte region.
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Anson County
Anson County
The local office, advisory board, agency partners, and volunteers in Anson County are dedicated to raising and allocating funds that stay local, making sure that lasting change takes place closest to home.
To learn how you can LIVE UNITED in Anson County, please call 704.694.2600.
Local Partners
- American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region
- Anson County Partnership for Children
- Boy Scouts of America, Central NC Council
- Feed My Lambs
- Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council
- HOLLA! Helping Our Loved Ones Learn & Achieve
- Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry, Serving Anson County
Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County
The local office, advisory board, agency partners and volunteers in Cabarrus County are dedicated to raising and allocating funds that stay local, making sure that lasting change takes place closest to home.
To learn how you can LIVE UNITED in Cabarrus County, please call 704.786.4179.
Community Office
300 McGill Avenue NW
Concord, NC 28027
Local Partners
- Academic Learning Center
- American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas
- Boy Scouts of America, Central NC Council
- Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County
- Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network
- Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
- Coltrane LIFE Center
- Community Free Clinic
- Communities In Schools of North Carolina
- Cooperative Christian Ministry
- Esther House of Stanly County
- Families First in Cabarrus
- Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council
- Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County
- Hope Haven, Inc.
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Logan Child Development Center
- Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
- The Arc of Union / Cabarrus
- The Salvation Army of Cabarrus County
Charlotte / Mecklenburg County
Charlotte / Mecklenburg County
The local office, advisory board, agency partners and volunteers in Charlotte / Mecklenburg County are dedicated to raising and allocating funds that stay local, making sure that lasting change takes place closest to home.
To learn how you can LIVE UNITED in Mecklenburg County, please call 704.372.7170.
Community Office
601 East 5th Street, Suite 350
Charlotte, NC 28202
Local Partners
- A Child’s Place of Charlotte
- American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region
- Aspire Community Capital
- Augustine Literacy Project
- Bethlehem Center of Charlotte, Inc.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas
- Brookhill Community Resource Center
- Camino Community Center
- Care Ring
- Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
- Charlotte Community Health Clinic
- Charlotte Family Housing
- Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center
- Child Care Resources Inc.
- Common Wealth Charlotte
- Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- Community Link
- Cops & Barbers, Inc
- Council for Children’s Rights
- Crisis Assistance Ministry
- CrossRoads Corporation
- Disability Rights & Resources
- E2D- Eliminate the Digital Divide
- Florence Crittenton Services
- Freedom School Partners
- Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council
- Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
- Grace-Mar Services, Inc.
- Heart Math Tutoring
- Hidden Valley Community Development
- Hope Haven Inc.
- KinderMourn
- Lakewood Neighborhood Alliance
- Latin American Coalition
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Levine Jewish Community Center
- Mecklenburg Council of Elders
- Mecklenburg County Council Boy Scouts of America
- Men’s Shelter of Charlotte
- Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
- NC MedAssist
- North End Community Coalition
- On My Genius Campaign
- Profound Gentlemen
- Race Matters for Junenile Justice
- RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network)
- Refugee Support Services
- Renaissance West Community Initiative
- Right Moves for Youth
- Safe Alliance
- Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte
- Southside Rides
- Soy Latino Como Tu
- Stiletto Boss University
- Teen Health Connection
- The Bulb
- The Center for Community Transitions
- The Learning Collaborative
- The Light Factory
- The Relatives
- Thompson Child and Family Focus
- Urban League of Central Carolinas
- West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition
- West Side Community Land Trust
- YMCA of Greater Charlotte
- Young Black Leadership Alliance
- YWCA Central Carolinas
Mooresville / Lake Norman
Mooresville / Lake Norman
The local office, advisory board, agency partners and volunteers in Mooresville / Lake Norman County are dedicated to raising and allocating funds that stay local, making sure that lasting change takes place closest to home.
To learn how you can LIVE UNITED in Mooresville / Lake Norman, please call 704.997.3216.
Community Office
106 Langtree Village Drive | Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28117
Local Partners
- Ada Jenkins Center
- American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region
- Davidson/Cornelius Child Development Center
- Exchange Scan
- Fifth Street Ministries (Diakonos)
- HealthReach Community Clinic
- Lake Norman Community Health Clinic
- Mooresville / Lake Norman Christian Mission
- Our Towns Habitat for Humanity
- Safe Alliance
- Smithville Community Coalition
- YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Union County
Union County
The local office, advisory board, agency partners and volunteers in Union County are dedicated to raising and allocating funds that stay local, making sure that lasting change takes place closest to home.
To learn how you can LIVE UNITED in Union County, please call 704.283.1537.
Community Office
102 E Franklin Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Local Partners
- American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region
- Boy Scouts of America Central NC Council
- Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
- Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center
- Child Care Resources Inc.
- Community Health Services
- Council On Aging in Union County
- Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council
- HealthQuest
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte
- The Arc of Union/Cabarrus
- Union-Anson County Habitat for Humanity
- Union County Community Shelter
- Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry
- YWCA
Our Partners
We Unite with local nonprofits and organizations to serve nearly 250,000 people in our community every year.
View Community PartnersJoin the Fight
Behind all our work, there are people like you who get involved in big and small — but always significant — ways to ensure a better future for our families and communities.
Get Involved