investments & partnerships
United Way of Greater Cleveland has long been known for distributing funds to nonprofit partners, and collaboration remains central to what we do. But real change takes more than one approach. At our core, we’re problem solvers: when we can, we act directly; when it’s more effective, we partner with organizations who can do it well.
$26.3 million
invested in our community every year.
our areas of impact
This year, United Way is investing in 32 Community Impact Partners across the following areas:
federated partners
Ongoing support for foundational nonprofit networks that deliver essential services across our community every year.
- Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Catholic Charities, United Black Fund
siemer family stability initiative
Short-term, flexible financial assistance for families with children facing housing instability.
- CHN Housing Partners
Cuyahoga County Food Contract
United Way serves as the fiscal agent for Cuyahoga County’s emergency food contract.
- Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Hunger Network
tenants resources
Connecting renters facing eviction, unsafe conditions, or unresponsive landlords to legal help, mediation, and tenant-organizing support. United Way administers this City of Cleveland-funded initiative, with United Way 211 as central intake.
- Fifth Christian, Cleveland Mediation Center, Morelands Group, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Smart Development, Cleveland State University
economic mobility investments
Our flagship investment program, funding 26 organizations working across housing, workforce, and childcare for ALICE households in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. This year, 63% of these investments support upward economic mobility and 37% support stability in a crisis. The current investment cycle began October 1, 2026.
housing stability
Investments that ease the cost burden of housing and prevent destabilizing moves, keeping families securely housed.
- Northwest Neighborhoods CDC, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
pathways to homeownership
Homeownership counseling and support that clears the way to owning a home, helping families build equity and long-term stability.
- LISC Cleveland, Habitat for Humanity, CHN Housing Partners, Euclid Development Corporation
work advancement
Job training, access, and retention support — plus tools like financial literacy and transportation — that keep working people working and moving up.
- Northwest MAGNET, Towards Employment, ASIA Inc., New Bridge Cleveland
career and financial coaching
One-on-one coaching that helps working adults build the financial skills and career plans to keep moving toward stability.
- May Dugan Center
access to childcare
Closing the gap between when a caregiver starts a new job and when childcare assistance benefits take effect, so a lapse in coverage doesn’t put their employment at risk.
- Starting Point, YWCA Greater Cleveland
geauga collaborative
A group of seven county-based agencies that meets monthly to coordinate resources and services for our Geauga neighbors.
- Ravenwood Health, Catholic Charities, Family Pride, Axess Family Services, Lake/Geauga Recovery Centers, Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance, WomenSafe
employer initiatives
- Bridges@Work our workforce stability partnership embedding 211 resources directly into the workplace. Catholic Charities is a partner. Read more on our Employer-Based Solutions page.
community resource center
A multi-agency resource hub operated in collaboration with Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which runs a teaching kitchen on-site. United Way is one of several nonprofits participating in the collaboration, and a United Way 211 Navigator is sometimes on-site to connect visitors directly to additional services.
- Greater Cleveland Food Bank
No single investment moves a family from crisis to stability to possibility.
Economic mobility isn’t a single outcome. It’s progress that holds over time. We’re helping more Greater Clevelanders move forward, not just out of crisis, but toward lasting financial security.
