Originally launched in response to the civic unrest that erupted in Charlotte in the fall of 2016, Unite Charlotte provides not only funding, but also capacity-building initiatives, to local grassroots organizations advancing racial equity and addressing economic mobility.

By the end of 2020, Unite Charlotte will have awarded more than $2.3 million in funding to dozens of organizations, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. Additionally, a Unite Charlotte investment allowed 21 of these organizations to complete, tuition-free, Duke University’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management, helping bolster their sustainability and community impact.

To create a pathway for these organizations to pursue future expansion, United Way has launched Unite Charlotte II, a competitive program for Unite Charlotte alumni agencies that provides even larger operating grants as well as funding to engage in executive leadership development, helping build a diverse, inclusive leadership pipeline for Charlotte’s nonprofit sector.

Unite Charlotte Partners

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2019 Unite Charlotte Recipients

Aspire Community Capital*
Camino Community Center**
Cops and Barbers, Inc*
E2D*
Mecklenburg Council of Elders*
Profound Gentleman**
Race Matters for Juvenile Justice**
Refugee Support Services**
Southside Rides**
Soy Latino Como Tu**
Stiletto Boss University*
The Light Factory*
West Side Community Land Trust**
Young Black Leadership Alliance*

*2nd year recipient

**3rd year recipient

2018 Unite Charlotte Recipients

2017 Unite Charlotte Recipients

Keeping Neighbors Connected Through North End Community Coalition

North End Community Coalition advocates for equitable communities in Charlotte by amplifying voices and connecting neighbors to opportunities.

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Supporting Innovation at Cops and Barbers Inc.

Cops and Barbers Inc. provides opportunities to foster dialogue and improve police-community relations for equitable community growth across Charlotte.

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Eliminating the Digital Divide

Motivated by his young daughter’s concern about fellow students struggling to complete assignments because they lacked access to a computer and internet connectivity in their homes, Pat Millen sought a solution to bridge the digital divide in area schools.

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Guiding Future Young Professionals

After working hard to become a successful philanthropist and entrepreneur, Jania Massey sought a way to fill the void she saw with social capital and opportunity for girls of color in Charlotte.

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Adapting to a New Home

With nearly 17,000 refugees resettling in Charlotte over the past 20 years, Rachel Humphries saw a need for helping these newly-arrived residents successfully adapt to their new home.

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Positioning Entrepreneurs for Success

Frustrated by a lack of public programming in Charlotte inclusive of black tech professionals and startups, Sherrell Dorsey sought a way to boost opportunities in the city for entrepreneurs of color.

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Growing Teachers Into Leaders

Jason Terrell and Mario Shaw started Profound Gentlemen, a nonprofit focused on building a community of male educators of color – from pre-K through high school – who can provide a profound impact on boys and young men of color.

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Creating New Opportunities

Dave Moore understands that young men getting out of jail most often won’t be able to secure a job quickly, because he’s an ex-felon himself; the idea for Southside Rides came to him while serving a sentence for dealing drugs.

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