From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, United Way is mobilizing communities to action so all can thrive. California’s United Ways are independent public charities, governed by local community leaders, that pursue strategies tailored to local needs, but they all share the same mission, brand, focus areas, and approach.
Inspired by their progress in working together statewide to promote health coverage for all California children, in 2008, California’s United Ways decided to create a staffed organization to devote full-time attention to increasing collaboration and expanding their network impact.
In the years since, United Ways of California and our network of United Ways have expanded our advocacy and programmatic initiatives.
We know we cannot “social service” our way to equitable and just communities. Changing the environment is the highest level of strategic impact United Way—or any philanthropy—could hope to achieve, and advocating for such change, therefore is central to achieving our mission. This is why we advocate to change large-scale systems to improve the odds of success for low-income families and communities—and advocacy is a central strategy for achieving community impact.
For us, advancing the common good means repairing systems to help all of us not just survive, but thrive.
Our approach also puts United Ways in the middle of changing policies, implementing the changes and then continuously improving them through further changes. In the best case, it becomes a virtuous cycle, and so “winning the implementation” is a mantra we follow.
COMMUNITY VOICE
Learning & Making an Impact
“Seeing people’s reactions when they get a refund, that’s my favorite part. Seeing their relief, like not having to worry about their taxes anymore for the rest of the year, like, that’s done. I like that.”
– Adonis, a high school student who applied his school learnings by providing free tax prep in Stanislaus County
COMMUNITY VOICE
Saving communities much-needed cash
“VITA is a crucial program. We can step in and at least save community members that $300 or $400, and that can make a big difference”
– Thomas, a free tax prep volunteer in San Joaquin County
COMMUNITY VOICE
One Call, Many Housing Support Options
“You have really been the best help I’ve had in my life.“
– Older adult in San Mateo County who called 211 in search of homeless shelters and received support navigating housing options, including referrals to a transitional residential program, coordinated entry system, and shelter placement assistance
COMMUNITY VOICE
Connecting Communities to Critical Resources
“211 is an essential way for people to find out what services are available to them.”
– Jessica, advocate for mental health and homelessness supports in Sonoma County
COMMUNITY VOICE
Access to Opportunity
“Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) are a way to file tax returns, but they are also so much more than that. ITINs open doors.”
– California business owner and ITIN holder
COMMUNITY VOICE
Tax credits build financial stability
“Foster youth don’t have a safety net. Tax credits help create stability, end the cycle of re-traumatization, and end the cycle of poverty.”
– Wednesday Pope, former foster youth in El Dorado County
COMMUNITY VOICE
Community Resources Are a Lifeline
“Free tax prep became a lifeline during the pandemic, ensuring my family retained our tax refunds, crucial amidst job losses and financial strain. We’ve all been using it ever since, and this year, I transitioned seamlessly to the free self-filing option. I would not have reached my current level of financial empowerment without the transformative power of community resources.”
– Azra J., a young professional who started using free tax prep through United Way of Central Eastern California as a college student
COMMUNITY VOICE
Sharing stories makes a difference
“Speaking to an elected official makes me feel like I have power and influence, that my experience and voice matter to help better other people’s experiences.”
– Cody Van Felden, mom who has advocated for tax credits, free tax prep services, and more
COMMUNITY VOICE
Giving Back to the Community
“My favorite part of volunteering is being able to help people. There’s a real need in the community. It’s a way to bring money back into the community.”
– Paul, a long-time free tax prep volunteer in Orange County
