Marin County
Uniting for a Thriving Marin County
Lasting Impact Through Collaborative Action
Welcome to our Marin County regional page. Nestled amidst breathtaking natural beauty and renowned for its vibrant communities, Marin County is a place we are deeply committed to supporting and strengthening. We recognize that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
Even in the picturesque landscapes of Marin County, there are challenges that require our attention and collective effort. From providing access to quality food and basic needs to affordable housing, we are committed to addressing the pressing needs of our Marin residents.
Through this page, we aim to provide you with valuable data and insights that shed light on the specific challenges faced by Marin County and how we are working together to create lasting change.
We Are Stronger Together.
Rachel moved to California with four children and $80 in her pocket. She worked hard, but there came a time when she needed help with food and money to pay rent.
Rachel contacted United Way Bay Area, and we supported her with urgent help for her basic needs as well as tax preparation and financial coaching to help her take charge of her financial future.
Rachel was so grateful for the help she received that she wrote a poem, which included these lines: “United Way has always given a hand to those in need—to continue to grow, and plant great seeds.”
The Need in Marin County
Access to basic needs is difficult for many
22,296 households in Marin County struggle to meet basic needs including paying for food and groceries, housing and utility bills; and keeping up with monthly car payments and other transportation costs.
The wealth gap is increasing
Among full time workers In Marin County, the income of low-wage workers decreased 9% between 2000 and 2019, while high-wage workers' income increased 9%
Housing is a cost burden for many residents
40,404 households in Marin County are housing burdened, spending more than 30% of household income on rent.
Our Impact in the Community
Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
(We allocate the funding distributed through this program via partner organizations, ensuring the eight Bay Area counties we serve continue to receive the appropriate level of federal resources so residents can access basic needs.)
As the pandemic continued affecting Marin County residents, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provided 65,096 meals
Free Tax Help
(Free tax preparation for anyone who needs it)
Free Tax Help has helped provide $1,904,160 in refunds back into the pockets of Marin County residents
![A line of San Francisco houses against the San Francisco Skyline.](/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/InfoBanner–HousingJustice.webp")
Housing Justice
(We mobilize support for solutions through public awareness and will-building, and advocate for policies that increase supply and improve conditions and access, while helping residents meet immediate housing needs.)
$106,393 in rental relief was provided in FY22 to residents in Marin county
Explore the Data
The Real Cost Measure
United Ways of California, in partnership with California’s 29 local United Ways, is proud to release How Much it Costs to Struggle: The Real Cost Measure in California 2023, a study on what it takes to make ends meet in California.
Unlike the official poverty measure which primarily accounts for the cost of food, the Real Cost Measure factors the costs of housing, food, health care, childcare, transportation and other basic needs to reveal what it really costs to live in California.
Explore our Real Cost Measure dashboard
211 Bay Area
(A free, vital service that connects callers with health and human services (food, shelter, childcare, legal services))
2-1-1 phone and text services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are available in 150 languages through phone interpretation services and English and Spanish for text services.
Explore our 211 Dashboard
