Our Mission
United Way of Alamance County unlocks the potential of people and resources to drive community-led solutions.
Our Vision
We envision a more resilient Alamance County where everyone can thrive.
Our Values
We have hope that Alamance County can be a better community for all, and we act on that hope from a place of belonging, partnership, and integrity.
- Hope: We believe that the resilient, united spirit of our community can create a future where every individual and family thrives.
- Belonging: We unite the caring power of our community so that every individual is supported, valued, and empowered to help shape our collective future.
- Partnership: We strive to build deep, trusting connections with community members, agencies, and faith-based organizations, knowing that lasting change requires a collective effort.
- Integrity: We operate with unwavering honesty, transparency, and fairness in every decision we make, every dollar we invest, and every relationship we build.
Our Practices
United Way of Alamance County board and staff adopted our equity statement in December 2020. We acknowledge where our country has been and the work that needs to be done to reduce inequities that exist all around us. United Way is an advocate for change and hopes you will join us in creating a more equitable and inclusive Alamance County.
This statement is as follows:
United Way of Alamance County commits to leveraging all of our assets (convening, strategic investments, awareness building, advocacy) to create more equitable communities and reflect on our progress. Together we can ensure each individual has access to the opportunities and resources needed to live happy, healthy lives.
United Way of Alamance County defines equity as the intentional inclusion of everyone in society. Equity is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer predict socioeconomic, education, and health outcomes.
United Way of Alamance County understands that equity, inclusion and diversity must be at the forefront of our work to ensure every individual has what they need to be healthy, well-educated, and financially stable. We recognize disparities exist in our community and the voices of the underrepresented are not always heard. We are committed to dismantling structural racism and other forms of oppression that have historically divided our community.
United Way of Alamance County works diligently to bring an equity lens to our programming, community investments and overall decision-making. Through on-going trainings and thoughtful conversations, we understand the pathway to equity is continuous and requires a collective approach with all of our partners, advocates and donors. We are working to address implicit biases internally and externally. We commit to reviewing our progress and assessing where gaps may exist, including our commitment to a diverse board and staff.
United Way of Alamance County’s goal is to provide support to our community and partners regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, language differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, socioeconomic status, work and behavioral styles, parental status, differing perspectives, lived experiences, as well as physical, mental and developmental abilities. We understand we need to strengthen these communities and elevate their voices.
Our History
The United Way of Alamance County (UWAC) has been a cornerstone of local philanthropy, community resource-sharing, and poverty alleviation for decades.
The organization was officially incorporated and recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit in December 1953. Following the broader national "Community Chest" and "United Appeal" models of the mid-20th century, it was designed to consolidate local charitable fundraising into a single, centralized annual campaign. This streamlined approach allowed local businesses and citizens to support a vast network of human services through one coordinated effort.
Like many regional United Way chapters, the Alamance County branch shifted its strategy over the decades from acting purely as a "pass-through" fundraising umbrella for other nonprofits to becoming an active leader in community problem-solving.
- The Traditional Model: For its first several decades, the organization focused on broad community investments - collecting donations and distributing grants to local agencies focusing on basic needs, health, and youth programs.
- The Modern Strategic Pivot: In the 21st century, UWAC refined its overarching goal to focus explicitly on systemic poverty. The organization prioritized efforts to radically decrease the number of families in poverty and worked to begin advancing practices that promote social mobility and provide opportunities to build a resilient community.
Rather than just writing checks, UWAC has developed signature collaborative programs and community initiatives to fill critical gaps in Alamance County:
- Housing Alamance: A major collaborative initiative established by UWAC that brings together local government leaders, housing professionals, and residents to address local housing instability and its root causes.
- Feeding Alamance: An initiative designed to improve food accessibility for residents in need, support local food providers, and strengthen collaboration among agencies addressing food insecurity in Alamance County.
- Tax Time Program (VITA): A highly successful, free income tax preparation service using trained volunteers to assist low-income, disabled, and elderly residents, returning hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds directly to the local community annually.
- Community Council: Established by UWAC, the Community Council is a signature monthly public meeting that serves as a cross-sector convening ground. Here, nonprofit leaders, stakeholders, and residents network, share resources, and address critical county-wide needs through rotating thematic focuses. Beyond these meetings, the Council’s collaborative efforts support a Community Resource Guide - updated biannually - and distribute weekly announcements detailing local events and opportunities to engage with area nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
- NC 211 Partnership: UWAC funds and utilizes the 211 system to connect thousands of Alamance County residents with vital local resources for food, housing utility assistance, and healthcare each year.