Impact Story
How One Simple Tool Helped Save Two Lives
United Way’s blood pressure monitoring program helps expectant mothers catch health risks early
Global Reach
U.S. and Canada
Countries In This Region
Overview
United Way's roots are deep in this region with the founding of United Way tracing back to Denver, Colorado in 1887. Community collaboration is at the heart of local United Ways across U.S. and Canada. Collectively, more than 1,000 local United Ways serve millions of families in need.
From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, local United Ways bring people and resources together to tackle each communities' toughest challenges to create a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.
We unite people, ideas and innovation and bring them together to solve humanity's most complex issues.
- Fahim Haque, Centraide of Greater Montreal
U.S. and Canada Impact
Bringing local ideas, people and resources together to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
7.3M
individuals served across Canada each year
900+
local United Ways in communities across the United States
750K+
volunteers across the United States each year
Stories Across U.S. and Canada
In the News
United Way Worldwide President: A Consequential Opportunity to Expand the Child Tax Credit (Op-Ed)
Impact Story
Innovation Gets Food To People in Rural Virginia
As COVID-19 took hold, many of us have turned to online grocery delivery services to keep our families fed and thriving. But many rural areas, like Virginia’s Eastern Shore, may lack the digital infrastructure for online grocery services. Shore Delivery Corps, partially funded by United Way of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, mobilizes volunteers to provide free grocery delivery services to older adults and individuals with existing health issues. Volunteers check participant's eligibility, location and schedule deliveries. To learn more, check out this Innovation Case Study created by United Way Worldwide. it tells the inspiring story of how a community rallies around its most vulnerable.
Impact Stories
Fighting Hunger to Build Stronger Communities
Every day, millions of people look to United Way for lasting solutions to local problems. We are a vehicle for volunteers, donors, and advocates who seek to change lives and communities. As the largest privately funded nonprofit in the world, United Way connects people and companies with the causes that matter to them the most.
Impact Story
Three Simple Steps to Fighting Hunger in Your Community
Be part of the nation’s largest one-day food drive — May 10, 2025.
18M+
referrals through 211 in 2024
Supported by United Way, 211 is a free, confidential service that connects people to locally available programs and resources across the U.S. and Canada. In 2024, the 211 network responded to over 16 million requests for help resulting in more than 18 million hyperlocal referrals for assistance.
How You Can Help
Take the next step to support thriving communities. Your gift now or in the future, or the gift of your time, are valuable contributions to our shared mission.