FAQs

WHAT ARE UWSSC GOALS?

At United Way of South Sarasota County (UWSSC), our mission is to unite communities and resources to empower people and create positive, sustainable change. We do this by advancing education, supporting self-sufficiency and economic mobility, improving health and wellness, and strengthening disaster recovery efforts.

Legal Aid Services – Providing families and individuals with access to justice, financial stability, and self-sufficiency through affordable legal support and advocacy. Evictions, unlawful detainers, and landlord/tenant disputes, power of attorney, guardianship matters, and lifetime planning, foreclosure defense, debt collection defense, contractor fraud, insurance disputes, civil court guidance for small claims court, home title, deed, and property issues.
Long-Term Recovery – Leading efforts to rebuild homes and lives after hurricanes and disasters, restoring both economic mobility and community wellness. Our Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) strengthens disaster response and coordination across the community through preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, ensuring that recovery is both effective and resilient.
COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) – Coordinating local nonprofits, faith-based groups, and volunteers to create a disaster-ready Sarasota County that reflects true community unity. As the lead agency in Sarasota County, we rely on a dedicated team focused on disaster planning and crisis response, immediately following a disaster.
Case Management – Walking alongside families, especially those in the ALICE population, to connect them with education, financial resources, and health support—empowering them to achieve long-term stability. Together, these goals demonstrate UWSSC’s commitment to creating lasting impact across Sarasota County by uniting people, partners, and resources to build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community.

Want to put a face to the people in our community that UWSSC serves?

THE ALICE REPORT

Where do I find out more info on agency programs UWSSC supports?

Our current funded programs are administered by the agencies’ found under the tab LINKS, which has their websites listed.

How do people find help from UWSSC?

UWSSC funds 9 Sarasota County agencies offering 11 human service programs to help prevent children, families and seniors from being homeless, isolated and abused.

Who decides what programs are funded?

Every year thirty-five or more community minded volunteers, comprised of a varied cross section of our community, review our annual “Allocation” applications. They are called allocations because the programs funded receive a monthly allocation, not a lump grant sum. Allocation volunteers are selected throughout the year.

The process starts with agency applications going out at the end of January. They are due back at the end of March. Grant applications are sent to current allocation recipients and to those that throughout the year have asked and demonstrated their South County commitment. In April, UWSSC divides up the applications between the five panels of volunteers, who arrange site visits along with staff and or client interviews for each application reviewed. The panels evaluate the program financials, program information and data on how the program has impacted or invested in the communities we serve so questioning can be tough.

Then the UWSSC Board of Directors reviews the recommendations’ and make their final decisions’ by the end of July. The UWSSC fiscal year runs from Aug. 1st through July 31st. So the approved agencies receive their first allocation mid-August, with consecutive payments for the next 11 months.

Are there other volunteer opportunities with UWSSC?

We have various committees that meet throughout the year for our Special Events. Please see the Tab “News and Events” for details. Get involved and have fun! We enjoy new faces and ideas.

I am interested in getting more information on how to start a UWSSC Campaign or Special Event at my work, school, Club. How do I get that started?

Please call the office @ 941-484-4811 . We will be happy to assist you with fundraising ideas, UW materials, employee incentives and plenty of support so you will have a successful campaign.

My Company would like to support United Way. How do we get this going?

Call 484-4811 and we will set up an appointment to visit with you and discuss how to run a successful campaign.

Is UWSSC part of a national organization?

Every United Way in the Country belongs to United Way Worldwide. We belong to ensure compliance, transparency and donor trust. Each United Way strictly serves its own local community. That is the objective of United Way’s worldwide, to increase their own communities’ capacity to take care of one another.

Transparency?

Cost efficiency is one of our main priorities and our 990 IRS statement is available to you for review at any time. Please request a copy by e-mailing office@uwssc.com.