Our President & CEO, Dr. Dawnté Early recently sat down with David Lichtman, president and publisher of the Sacramento Business Journal, to highlight the organization’s evolution into a leading, innovative nonprofit whose direct services are tackling some of Sacramento’s most pressing challenges.

Their conversation sheds light on how United Way has become integral to the community, driving impactful change and addressing critical issues like housing, education and public health. United Way’s work in the greater Sacramento Area is designed to empower families and break the cycle of poverty.

This dialogue underscores United Way’s commitment to being a key mobilizer between nonprofit, business and government, working collaboratively to create lasting solutions and ensure all Sacramento residents can thrive.

We know what you’re thinking…

You may think you know United Way as that national organization that disperses funds to nonprofits, but locally here in the Greater Sacramento Area, we are cutting edge with our own innovative direct service programs.

Our mission?

United Way Mobilizes Our Community
to Action so All Can Thrive.

It truly speaks to who we are and what we do.

True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our communities, United Way is there. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. Our reach across our communities means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve lives around the Capital Region.  

From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.

Some of the things we do include:

And that’s just a taste of what we do! We encourage you to comb through our programs and learn all about how our local United Way is changing the way help is delivered to those in the Capital Region who need it most, and it might be changing the way you think about what and who United Way is!

United is the Way we can make strides to ensure everyone in our community can thrive.

Join us by getting involved! Donate to our programs, partner with us and/or volunteer your time and talents.

We thank you, and our community does too!

Ten, former foster youth students from the greater Sacramento region who are current Sacramento State students will be participating in United Way’s newest program, the Collegiate Guaranteed Income Program, which gives each student $500 a month of guaranteed income for 12 months that began May 2.

The new program was announced at United Way’s United in Purpose Gala fundraiser on Saturday, April 20 to the surprise of the 10 students who were all in attendance. Take a look at how these students found out:

“Selecting Sacramento State as the pilot for this program was a natural choice, given the inspiring journey of Sac State president Dr. Luke Wood, from dealing with extreme life pressures as a foster youth to his recent appointment as the university’s ninth president. His story resonates deeply with the work United Way has been doing for decades,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Earlier this year, Dr. Wood said his goal is for Sacramento State to have the largest enrollment of former foster youth in the country and be known for serving them. That commitment aligns with our longtime pledge to support foster youth in and out of the classroom. Together with Dr. Wood, United Way’s aim is to create an environment where these students can focus more on their studies and less on basic needs like housing, food and transportation.”

On Thursday, May 2, all of the 10 participants received their first round of payments as the program was launched at a press conference with Dr. Early and Dr. Wood.

This program is funded completely by our Women United donor group, who have supported foster youth initiatives for over two decades. The program will also be evaluated by Professor Ethan Evans and his team at Sacramento State, who have evaluated other Guaranteed Income programs United Way has run in Sacramento.

You can support this program through your donations by clicking here, or by becoming a Women United member.