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Press Release

United Way Named to Fast Company’s List of The World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb. 20, 2019) – United Way Worldwide today announced that it has been named #5 on Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019, in the nonprofit category. The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s volatile world.

“United Way Worldwide is honored by this prestigious recognition from Fast Company and dedicates this award to the 61 million people we fight for every year,” said Brian Gallagher, CEO, United Way Worldwide. “Our commitment to innovation is grounded in our ongoing efforts to find new ways to bring people together.”

United Way, whose history of community impact spans more than 130 years, has leveraged strategic partnerships and technology to build on this legacy; while finding new ways to engage the next generation of donors to address the problems facing many communities in the U.S.  

For example, United Way partnered with Lyft for the Relief Rides program which has provided more than 12,000 free rides to those in need of non-emergency transportation – such as medical appointments and job interviews. And Lyft has supported United Way’s efforts to provide relief to communities facing natural disasters, such as the Southern California wildfires, through its Round Up and Donate app.   

In June of 2018, United Way and Salesforce.org partnered to launch Salesforce Philanthropy Cloud, the only global platform that connects companies, employees, customers and partners with the charities and causes that are the most important to them. SPC empowers employees and creates a community of philanthropy through a one-network solution for giving, volunteering, fundraising and advocating for any cause and at any time.  

And today, United Way Worldwide took another innovative step in its transformation journey with the launch of UpPurpose, a cloud-based technology platform that will provide a full suite of content services—from multi-platform digital campaign creation to real-time data-driven campaign performance analysis—for local United Ways, nonprofits, foundations, CSR organizations and other social enterprises.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“Established players are showing the same kind of nimbleness that we’ve generally associated with startups,” said Fast Company deputy editor David Lidsky, who oversaw the issue with senior editor Amy Farley.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March-April 2019) is now available online here, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning Feb. 27. The hashtag is #fcmostinnovative.


About United Way Worldwide

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 9 million donors worldwide and $4.7 billion raised every year, United Way is the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit. We’re engaged in 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies and thinkers on the future of business. Since 2011, Fast Company has received some of the most prestigious editorial and design accolades, including the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) National Magazine Award for “Magazine Of The Year,” Adweek’s Hot List for “Hottest Business Publication,” and six gold medals and 10 silver medals from the Society of Publication Designers. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta and the publisher is Amanda Smith. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.