About Us - United Way Bay Area
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About Us

About Us

United Way Bay Area inspires and connects people to break the cycle of poverty in the Bay Area by supporting both the short-term needs and long-term systems change.

 

WHAT WE DO

UWBA brings together partners from the nonprofit, business, and government sectors to address Bay Area poverty. We partner across sectors, develop solutions, capture the data we need, and use those insights to support public policy and create research-backed community initiatives.

 

OUR VISION

UWBA envisions an equitable Bay Area where all people have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive.

 

OUR MISSION

UWBA mobilizes the Bay Area to dismantle the root causes of poverty and build equitable pathways to prosperity. Through initiatives and policy change, we provide immediate and long-term support for employment, housing, financial stability, and meeting basic needs.

 

Breaking the cycle of poverty

United Way Bay Area helps families struggling to meet basic needs, assists students and workers seeking employment and better careers, supports our neighbors working to achieve their financial stability goals, and advocates for housing justice for all Bay Area residents.

STRATEGIC PLAN

United Way Bay Area identified the need to engage in a focused, inclusive, and comprehensive three-year strategic plan to refine our focus and meet the unique and evolving needs of the communities we serve, rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

HOW WE DO IT

Housing Justice: Improve access to stable, affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

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Employment & Career Opportunities: Build systems and pathways to career and employment opportunities.

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Financial Stability: Help families increase income and savings on their way to financial stability.

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Basic Needs: Ensure access to basic needs like food, housing, and legal services.

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Housing Justice: Improve access to stable, affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

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Employment & Career Opportunities: Build systems and pathways to career and employment opportunities.

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Financial Stability: Help families increase income and savings on their way to financial stability.

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Basic Needs: Ensure access to basic needs like food, housing, and legal services.

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WHO WE SERVE

United Way Bay Area serves eight Bay Area counties

Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

UNITED WAY BAY AREA EARNS THE GUIDESTAR GOLD SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY

The GuideStar Seals of Transparency indicates that a nonprofit has provided key information to its Nonprofit Profile. This recognition shows commitment to transparency. By providing up-to-date information, nonprofits allow potential donors and funders to make educated decisions.

UNITED WAY NAMED AMERICA’S FAVORITE CHARITY BY CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY

United Way Named America’s Favorite Charity by Chronicle of Philanthropy United Way was ranked #1 in the Chronicle of Philanthropy list of America's Favorite Charities and, the NonProfit Times’ NPT 2019 Top 100 shows that we were again #1 in public support.

UNITED WAY NAMED TO FAST COMPANY’S LIST OF THE WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES FOR 2019

United Way Worldwide is named #5 on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019, in the nonprofit category. The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s volatile world

HISTORY

View our dedicated United Way Bay Area history page

Since 1922, we have been creating and funding effective poverty-fighting programs. As our community changed, so did our approach. We evolved, and keep evolving, to make sure programs meet local needs and address our community’s most pressing problems. By staying responsive to our community, we are helping to build a more vibrant, more equitable, and more resilient Bay Area. But we’re not doing it alone.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

WE CELEBRATED 100 YEARS!

In 2022 United Way Bay Area (UWBA) celebrates 100 years of fighting poverty across the San Francisco Bay Area. 100 years of uniting community members, building and operating programs, and providing resources to Bay Area residents.

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