What We Do

Before COVID-19, one-third of all Franklin County residents could not meet basic needs and even more were a crisis away from falling into poverty. Today, we know low-income families are bearing the brunt of the pandemic. Over half of Ohio’s low-income households reported a loss of employment income over the past year. While students in low-income households faced more barriers to remote learning, including lack of broadband access and available equipment.

United Way of Central Ohio is focused on fighting poverty by investing in the most effective partners that get results. This network of more than 90 local nonprofit partners provide opportunities and resources in two critical areas:

Basic Needs

Ensuring people in crisis get food, shelter and assistance.

Learn More
Student Success

Helping children succeed from cradle to career.

Learn More

Basic Needs

Ensuring people in crisis get food, shelter and assistance.

did you know?

1 in 3 central Ohioans lacks the income to meet basic needs without assistance.

2,000 young adults in central Ohio are homeless.

Achieving Results:

Student Success

Helping children succeed from cradle to career.

did you know?

The poverty rate and the unemployment rate for people who do not have a High School diploma is twice as high as for people who have graduated.

72% of disadvantaged preschoolers in Franklin County struggle to learn the skills needed for kindergarten.

Achieving Results:

Together, We Fight Poverty.

1DIVINELINE2HEALTH – HILLTOP DROP-IN CENTER UWCO 2023 Investment $15,000

Organization Description:

1DivineLine2Health serves as a safe house for pregnant womxn, transwomxn, and runaway youth. We are on the streets, alleys, homeless camps and abandominiums. We have two safe houses, a community garden and the Love Bug Street Outreach program that covers the four hot zones of human and drug trafficking in our city. We operate the first full-time Drop-In Center in the county located on the Hilltop that serves trafficked womxn, their children and transwomen. Our Drop-In Center is a haven where they shower, eat a warm meal, rest, have their wounds cleaned, get linked to services and participate in activities. We provide nonperishable food, first aid, clothes, shoes, hygiene kits, and condoms. We transport people to hospitals and recovery sites when needed. We partnered with Franklin County Public Health as a mobile Narcan distributor to our street family. Our mission is to end human suffering locally and globally through the power of Love that brings people to serve the underserved in our community like our Love Drop-In Center.

Address:

PO Box 247561, Columbus, Ohio 43224

Phone:

614.928.3006

Website:

www.https://1dl2h.org

ACADEMY FOR URBAN SCHOLARS UWCO 2023 Investment $65,000

Organization Description:

The Academy for Urban Scholars (AUS) is a brick-and-mortar statewide educational and employment leader for under-represented, under-served, and disengaged community members. AUS adheres to its internal motto of “Honda builds cars, We build people” through intensive door-to-door community outreach, high-quality instructional practices and staff, relentless fundraising efforts, and extensive community partnerships. AUS exists solely to ensure that its clients receive the best opportunities their communities can provide. Established in 2011, the AUS Personal Development Model has been created to address a wide variety of systemic challenges that lead to intergenerational poverty, discriminatory educational and training practices, and stymied personal development. Our Model is designed to re-engage learners of all ages, provide intense supportive services, mentoring, workforce training, and successful work placement opportunities. We serve adults and youth from economically disadvantaged communities that demonstrate high unemployment, limited educational success, have significant gang involvement, a high-risk of unplanned pregnancy, and extensive criminal activity and incarceration.

Address:

899 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH 43215

Phone:

614.754.7511

Website:

www.ausohio.com

Action for Children UWCO 2023 Investment $160,000

Organization Description:

There are just 2,000 days between a child's birth and the day they enter Kindergarten--and those days are among the most important to a child's development. When parents, caregivers and teachers are prepared and supported, these moments enrich a child's life, promote healthy development, and ensure that he or she feels safe, loved, and prepared for a bright future. Since 1972, Action for Children (AFC) has worked to transform the lives of children during those first 2,000 days by supporting, empowering and advocating for the adults who make the biggest impact on children’s lives—their parents, caregivers and teachers. When children are nurtured by strong families and vibrant communities and when they have access to quality early learning experiences, they are better prepared for success in school and in life. To support this vital vision, and as the local child care resource and referral agency, Action for Children's services include: free child care referrals and access to community resources for parents and families; parenting education classes, seminars, home-visiting programs and workshops; professional development, coaching, and technical assistance for early childhood programs and practitioners; and child care resources and data for workforce development, public awareness and advocacy. AFC's service area includes Columbus and Franklin County as well as Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties.

Address:

78 Jefferson Avenue (43215)

Phone:

614.224.0222

Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio

Organization Description:

The members of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio are 28 non-profit and for-profit organizations that represent the full spectrum of affordable housing activities in Franklin County, from homeless and housing services, to housing development and housing finance. Working together, we are advancing solutions to address the affordable housing challenge, which will support economic progress and strengthen the community.

Address:

215 N Front St, Suite 600, Columbus, OH 43215

Website:

https://www.ahaco.org/

Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County UWCO 2023 Investment $25,000

Organization Description:

The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (AHT), established in 2001, is an independent, nonprofit lender that works with the private, nonprofit and public sectors to develop affordable housing opportunities within the City of Columbus and Franklin County. In February 2016, AHT became a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Address:

175 S. 3rd St., Suite 1250, Columbus, OH 43215

Phone:

(614) 228-6488

Website:

https://www.hztrust.org/

African American Leadership Academy UWCO 2023 Investment $NA*

The African American Leadership Academy is designed to expand the number of African American leaders in central Ohio who excel in their professions and engage in community service. The Academy enlarges the definition of success and redefines the description of leadership to include doing well at work to do more good in the community. To that end, it assembles a group of Fellows who have the likelihood of significant accomplishments in both of those arenas. The Academy selects individuals who are ready to grow and to engage in preparation for that kind of success and that kind of leadership.

Each year, the Academy’s Advisory Board along with current and past Fellows seek out and nominate individuals to be invited to apply to the Academy. These individuals, ages 25-55, represent the business, non-profit, government, education and entrepreneurial sectors of the central Ohio community. Nominees have demonstrated potential for top leadership roles in both their professional and civic life.

The Academy’s mission is to increase the number of central Ohio’s African American leaders and broaden its awareness of a wider pool of capable and civic minded African American professionals. Maximizing the potential and engagement of all social and economic sectors is essential to the greater purpose of building “best at” and “best to be in” businesses and communities.

For more informations on the African American Leadership Academy, visit their website http://aalacademy.org/.

* United Way of Central Ohio serves as a fiscal agent for this initiative.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE WELLNESS WALK UWCO 2023 Investment $40,000

Organization Description:

Founded in 2004, The African American Male Wellness Initiative (AAMWI) was established to improve the health disparities affecting African American men. From our humble beginnings, the AAMWI has grown to become the largest health initiative locally and across the state of Ohio. Accelerated growth of the AAMWI can be contributed to our ability to engage African American men. Every year the initiative engages over 50,000 families nationwide providing health educational workshops, fatherhood training, employment training and free health screenings to over 3,000 African American men. Our educational programming focuses on topics such as mental health, opioid addiction, healthy cooking, work readiness, HIV prevention and financial wellness.

Address:

2780 Airport Drive, Suite 333, Columbus, OH 43219

Phone:

614.754.7511

Website:

www.aawellness.org

AFRICENTRIC PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SHOP UWCO 2023 Investment $50,000

Organization Description:

Africentric Personal Development Shop (APDS) is a behavioral healthcare center that uses the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria guidelines and models of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to provide substance use disorders treatment. APDS is certified by Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide outpatient, intensive outpatient, medication assisted treatment, and prevention services. APDS provides a comprehensive domestic violence education and intervention program that uses the Duluth Model, Journey to Change, and the APDS Readiness Module for male batterers involved in domestic violence. APDS offers a 9-week SMART 2.0 summer day camp with strong emphasis on social emotional learning and character development for 120 youth ages 6 to 12 years.

Address:

1409 East Livingston Ave. Columbus, OH 43205

Phone:

614.253.4448

Website:

www.apdsinc.org

AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS OHIO UWCO 2023 Investment $60,000

Organization Description:

After-School All-Stars Ohio provides free academic support, mentorship, and transformative experience to help at-risk children in Ohio succeed in school and life. After-School All-Stars Ohio gives students a safe-haven during the “danger zone” hours of 3pm-6pm—the time of day when youth violence, drug use and other delinquent behaviors are most likely to occur. After-School All-Stars Ohio serves children whose lives are mostly defined by severe deprivation of basic human needs. Those needs include food, health, safety, shelter, and access to information.

Address:

1743 W Lane Avenue, Columbus OH 43221-3341

Phone:

614.257.1678

Website:

http://asasohio.org/

ALL THAT UWCO 2023 Investment $45,000

Organization Description:

All THAT (Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow) is a non-profit mentoring and enrichment program that provides mentoring to teens in academic achievement, life skill development and career planning. Since 2010, All THAT has established caring relationships with teens in our program and enhanced their ability to make good choices, eliminate the use of alcohol and drugs and assist them in realizing their dreams. We expose them to college and opportunities in skilled trades, enhancing their potential to become high performers in the workforce and their local community. We are an official partner of Columbus City Schools, Columbus Public Health Department, Center for Family Safety and Healing, Franklin County Children Services and MENTOR Central Ohio. ALL THAT currently serves as a supportive space providing tutors and mentors to guide high school students so they can complete their online school work. During these challenging days in our city and in our country, the lives of teens are especially at risk. All THAT is here for them.

Address:

PO Box 27113, 4117 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus OH 43227

Phone:

614.745.0007

Website:

www.all-that.org

At United Way of Central Ohio, diversity, equity and inclusion inform every aspect of our work. We understand from experience that the best solutions are crafted by diverse perspectives and stakeholders.

Diversity is who we are. Our Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers come from many walks of life and reflect the many faces that make up our community. Our greatest strength is that we’re not all the same.

Inclusion is essential to what we do and strengthens our community. It is at the heart of what it means to Live United and to advance the common good; to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive system is fundamental to fighting poverty in central Ohio.

Equity is making sure everyone in the community has what they need to reach their full potential. We align resources, build strong partnerships and ensure the fair treatment of everyone.

Years ago, we laid the foundation. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage and build upon the talent, strength and opportunity that is available in central Ohio.

United Way of Central Ohio’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement:

United Way of Central Ohio is committed to creating and maintaining a community where everyone has equitable opportunity to participate and contribute to their own success. Because our greatest strength as a community is that we are not all the same, everyone must be valued for their skills, experiences and unique perspectives.

We oppose all forms of structural racism, ethnic discrimination and other forms of oppression that have contributed to racial disparities in the past and persist in the present. Inequities and unfair policies and practices have marginalized entire populations, and we unequivocally denounce them, in any form. Racism and ethnic discrimination threaten the well-being of our entire community. United Way actively works to end all forms of inequities by dismantling unfair policies/procedures, and by engaging diverse residents and community members, particularly those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized.

As a trusted organization in central Ohio for nearly 100 years, we actively involve our for-profit, nonprofit and individual partners in co-creating solutions that build and sustain equity. We are committed to leveraging all our assets (e.g., convening, strategic investments, awareness building, advocacy) to create a more equitable central Ohio for all residents.

Project Diversity Pride Leadership

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Project Diversity Pride Leadership is United Way’s inclusive nonprofit board development program designed to create impactful, diverse leaders from central Ohio’s racial minority and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) communities. As our community becomes increasingly diverse, it’s critical that the composition of our nonprofit boards reflects this diversity to include many perspectives and approaches. The program trains participants to serve effectively by providing the knowledge, skills and experiences to contribute confidently. Participation in this program is a valuable $1,000 investment and we encourage the applicant’s employer to pay the tuition fee on their behalf. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to participants for which employers or personal circumstances will not allow them to participate otherwise.

2023 TIMELINE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

March	Applications Available (online only)	APPLY ONLINE
April	Open House (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)	REGISTER HERE
April	Open House (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)	REGISTER HERE
May	Applications Due by 5 p.m.	SUBMIT ONLINE
Week of May 22	Selection Letters Emailed to Participants
June	Orientation Reception (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)

After orientation, the curriculum is six months of structured workshops and facilitated dialogue with monthly sessions two to four hours in length. View Full Timeline and Employer Agreement here.

CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The program is composed of an opening retreat, facilitated board development workshops, service project planning and graduation. The curriculum is six months of structured workshops and facilitated dialogue with monthly sessions two to four hours in length. United Way believes it’s important for participants to immerse themselves in the community and hear firsthand from local nonprofits about the work they do in order to best address the issues impacting nonprofits and our community. Throughout the program, United Way provides skill development, community tours, education and direct access to local nonprofits.

Sessions include lectures, hands-on workshops and other activities incorporating key board governance subjects such as:

Fiscal Management
Parliamentary Procedures
Strategic Planning
Marketing and Public Relations
Fundraising and Resource Development
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Service project planning and execution

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Graduates cite numerous professional benefits, particularly in these areas:

Skill development
Collaborative decision making/flexibility
Building a diverse professional network
Increased understanding of the community and local nonprofits
Nonprofit board/committee opportunities

SERVICE PROJECT

Participants will participate in one or two service projects designed to provide practical experience of being on a board or committee and implement the knowledge and skills they are learning from the program.

During the learning sessions, participants will report on their service project experiences during the conclusion of the program.

Following graduation, United Way will facilitate introductions to nonprofit leaders whose organizational missions align with participant interests. United Way does not guarantee board or committee placement.

For any questions you may have, please contact:

Reyna Hughes, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at Reyna.Hughes@uwcentralohio.org

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2022 PROJECT DIVERSITY PRIDE LEADERSHIP COHORT!

APPLY TO THE PROGRAM HERE

PROJECT DIVERSITY FACTS

Designed to give people of color— African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans and other racial minorities—a greater opportunity to serve the community, Project Diversity was launched in 1989. Known today as a premier racial minority leadership program, it boasts an impressive list of about 550 graduates, many of whom have gone on to serve on local nonprofit boards.

PRIDE LEADERSHIP FACTS

Founded in 2008, Pride Leadership has given close to 200 members of the LGBTQ+ community a greater voice in leadership. Since its inception, the program has gained a solid reputation as a quality leadership development program in central Ohio.

“Project Diversity showed me the challenges minorities have in our community. I saw different leadership styles in action and learned the importance of trusting in a team. It gave me a new group to call family.”
–Magaly Vasquez, Columbus Metropolitan Library

“Pride Leadership has been a wonderful experience because not only do I have the tools, skills, resources to move forward with supporting organizations in this city, I also have a number of new friends. That to me is a great value.”
–Justin Warren, L Brands

What We Do

Basic Needs

Student Success

Basic Needs

did you know?

partners

Achieving Results:

Student Success

did you know?

partners

Achieving Results:

Together, We Fight Poverty.

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Twitter:

Facebook:

Organization Description:

Address:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

Organization Description:

Address:

Phone:

Website:

At United Way of Central Ohio, diversity, equity and inclusion inform every aspect of our work. We understand from experience that the best solutions are crafted by diverse perspectives and stakeholders.

United Way of Central Ohio’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement:

APPLY TO THE PROGRAM HERE

Stay informed, get connected.

Stay informed,
get connected.