UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL INDIANA INC

United Way's Early Care & Learning initiatives advance family stability by expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare and education while promoting long-term academic success for children. In 2024/2025, 273 educators engaged in professional development through the Early Learning Providers Community of Practice. Additionally, the Early Childhood Education Providers Council has guided grantmaking to stabilize the workforce, and the ReadUP initiative has continued to enhance literacy outcomes, serving more than 7,500 students to date with the support of dedicated community volunteers. United Way advanced its Safe and Affordable Housing strategy in 2024 through a framework focused on reducing housing insecurity, expanding affordable housing supply, and fostering innovation. Key initiatives included the Winter Assistance Fund, which provided $127,224 in utility support to 212 households; and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which distributed $2.69 million across six counties to strengthen shelter and food access. Additionally, the Homelessness Targeted Initiative Fund (TIF) advanced systemic solutions to homelessness through capacity building, governance improvements, and the development of a Case Management Institute to strengthen housing navigation and long-term stability.

Through Other Program services, United Way ensures that all our work is backed up with research and data, implemented with fidelity, and leveraged with other community resources. These included community needs/human services research; public policy advocacy; volunteer training, development, and deployment; nonprofit leadership education and training; and convening community leaders and funders to align resources around shared community goals. We also deployed $950,000 to 13 organizations through our social innovation fund grants. United Way addresses Central Indiana's most pressing needs in education, economic mobility, safe & affordable housing, and basic needs. Much of this work was accomplished in fiscal year 2024/2025 through support of accredited Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the human services spectrum. These CBOs are part of a rigorous evaluation process that assesses organizational governance; leadership; diversity, equity & inclusion; financial stability; strategic planning; community responsiveness; sustainability & scalability; and ability to market and engage funders to support their work. United Way also supported these CBOs' general operations through donor designated and other-directed gifts; capital, technology and facilities maintenance grants; and evaluation, capacity building, contingency, staff support, and other activities. in addition, United Way administered donor designated dollars to a wide range of unaffiliated organizations across the non-profit sector.