United Way of Greater Kansas City Inc

United way plays an important human service ecoystem role by addressing the economic effects of poverty and racial & ethnic disparities through the administration of direct financial assistance through a range of collaborative interventions. Summarized below are key examples of this work in the kansas city region. Eviction prevention fund - united way of greater kansas city serves as partner to various city and county governments throughout the kansas city metropolitan region in the deployment of financial assistance, paired with legal defense provided by nonprofit legal service providers, aimed at preventing eviction. Over the past three years, this work has involved the braiding of federal covid relief funds, philanthropic funds, and state grants. In 2024, more than 1,561 households avoided eviction through this initiative. Utility assistance fund - united way has a longstatnding partnership with the board of public utilies in kansas city, kansas, through which thousands of low-income households receive financial assistance aimed at preventing the loss of utility service-a key risk factor in homelessness. Direct assistance to low-income households - united way awarded $972,000 in support to 953 households through a program that distributes prepaid debit cards to families struggling with the impacts of poverty and high inflation. Family empowerment initiative - through this initiative, united way of greater kansas city and the seimer institute for family stability with the support of six partner community agencies is serving 167 families struggling with housing instability. With targeted case management and direct client assistance, familes are able to resolve financial and housing stability issues that might otherwise push them to the brink of houselessness. Kc strong fund - in the days after the tragic loss of life and injury that occurred at a community celebration for the kansas city chiefs' 2024 super bowl win, united way leaders mobilized a community response that raised $2,031,750 in donations from more than 4,000 donors. $1.2 million was distributed to 20 gunshot victims and $831,750.61 in grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations providing anti-violence and mental health services, as well as support for first responders. The kc strong fund was a time-limited initiative focused on the impact of an exatraordinary event and is not an ongoing program.