OUR PURPOSE
Help individuals, families and communities thrive in NC.
OUR MISSION
We bridge people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families and communities thrive in North Carolina.
OUR VISION
Thriving communities through equitable access to resources.
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. For almost 50 years, United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) has been a statewide organization, partnering with 47 local United Ways to co-create solutions to people’s most pressing challenges. We take a comprehensive approach, listening and responding to statewide needs, including but not limited to, strengthening local resilience and advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security in our state. UWNC bridges and mobilizes people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families, and communities thrive in North Carolina. We are committed to four core areas of work: Member services, NC 211, Disaster Response, and Advocacy.
Member Services
United Way of North Carolina supports our statewide United Way network by providing professional development and networking opportunities, statewide advocacy leadership, technical support, marketing materials, and more.
NC 211
NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and powered by local United Ways of North Carolina. Families and individuals can call the free, statewide phone numbers 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162 or visit NC211.org to receive free and confidential information on health and human services within their community. This service is also free of cost and is multilingual, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Real-time caller data is available at nc.211counts.org.
ALICE
ALICE in North Carolina: A Study of Financial Hardship places a spotlight on what United For ALICE calls the ALICE population — households earning more than the official Federal Poverty Level, but less than the cost of basics such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, technology and taxes. ALICE® stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — a large population of hardworking residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings and are one emergency away from falling into poverty. This report is brought to NC by United Way of North Carolina, Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, and United for ALICE. To access the report, visit https://www.unitedforalice.org/state-overview/north-carolina.
AARP Caregiver Program
North Carolinians who offer free caregiving services to loved ones who are not able to care for themselves, such as folks with mental or physical ailments, can dial 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162 to be connected with a Community Resource Specialist to learn about caregiving support resources in their area. This capability is provided by NC 211 and AARP.
NCDIT Digital Opportunity
North Carolinians will now be able to access community resources that support internet affordability, access to computers and digital devices, digital skills and literacy, tech support and free Wi-Fi with one call thanks to a partnership between the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity and NC 211.
MyFriendBen
MyFriendBen is a one-stop online tool that helps North Carolinians find the benefits and tax credits they are likely eligible to receive. Programs include food assistance, health insurance, child care subsidies and more. It takes about six minutes for MyFriendBen users to complete a short survey, available in 12 languages, that returns a personalized report. The report, which has an accuracy rate of over 90%, shows which programs users likely qualify for, as well as the dollar value and time required to apply. Users also have the option to remain anonymous. MyFriendBen is brought to North Carolina by MyFriendBen Colorado, Code the Dream, and NC 211. To access the screener, visit the main page on NC211.org.
NCCARE360
The first statewide coordinate care system that knits together healthcare and human services organizations. Many North Carolinians struggle with food insecurity, housing instability, lack of access to transportation, and other health-related needs every day. NCCARE360 better connects individuals with local services and resources. United Way of North Carolina and NC 211 partner with Unite Us, Expound Decision Systems, NC Department of Health & Human Services and Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation on this important work.
EQUITY STATEMENT: United Way of North Carolina recognizes structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities which we seek to dismantle. Our United Way network strives to engage and center community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized. We work with public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive. We commit to leveraging all of our assets (convening, strategic investments, awareness building, advocacy, evaluation) to create equitable communities.
CY PRES AWARDS: Cy Pres is a doctrine that permits a court to award any unallocated, unclaimed, or undeliverable funds from a settlement or judgment to a non-profit organization. As a statewide non-profit organization, the United Way of North Carolina is eligible to receive nominations and awards for cy pres funding.
United Way of North Carolina is an ideal choice for a cy pres award and has been approved as a cy pres recipient in past class action litigation. Cy pres awards directly supports United Way of North Carolina’s work.
Connection to many classes: Because the United Way of North Carolina works to bridge people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families and communities thrive in North Carolina, in many substantive areas (such as employment, housing, disaster recovery and prevention, community resilience, health and well-being, and education), we have a nexus to most types of class action cases. To help support our mission through cy pres, please add the United Way of North Carolina to your firm’s list of eligible cy pres recipients. Please contact Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO, at bpruittfletcher@unitedwaync.org, if you have any questions about the United Way of North Carolina’s work or the cy pres process.