We believe everyone deserves opportunities to have a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support their family, and good health.

United Way’s Bay Area Community Fund supports programs that provide the building blocks to a better life: education, income and health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of these problems.

EDUCATION grants – Helping Children Achieve their Potential
1 in 4 California high school students drops out of school. United Way is focused on building the foundations of success in children and preparing youth for independent futures. We fund programs that increase child literacy rates, close the achievement gap, and provide young adults with the skills and resources needed to ensure a successful transition to adulthood.

INCOME grants – Promoting Financial Stability and Independence
1 in 4 Bay Area working families cannot make ends meet. United Way is working to help families survive and create a prosperous future for all. We fund innovative programs that help families develop debt management strategies, increase income and benefits uptake, and build emergency funds.

HEALTH grants – Improving People’s Access to Healthcare
1 in 5 California residents does not have health insurance. United Way is working to ensure 100% of our children have health insurance and low income communities have access to high quality healthcare service. Our grantmaking also is focused on eliminating health disparities in communities of color and changing behaviors to promote better health outcomes.

In addition, United Way is working to ensure we live in a resilient Bay Area community that is prepared for both individual crises and region-wide disasters. Our Resilient Communities agenda works to ensure individuals have expanded access to resources, and nonprofits and communities are prepared for crisis.