The United Way of Greater Cleveland

What The United Way of Greater Cleveland does

The United Way of Greater Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1913, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, that operates a portfolio of programs to combat poverty across Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. Its core service is the 211 helpline — a free, confidential 24/7 navigation system connecting over 100,000 Cuyahoga County residents annually to a Community Resource Database of 22,800 local programs covering food, housing, healthcare, utilities, and employment. The organization also delivers legal representation through Right to Counsel at Cleveland Housing Court (serving as Lead Partner Organization under Cleveland Codified Ordinance 375.12), lead poisoning prevention via the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition (a 500+ member public-private partnership), workplace-embedded employee support through Bridges@Work, workforce sector partnerships through Workforce Connect, and early childhood family support via FamilySpace at four library locations.

Revenue flows from individual donations, corporate workplace campaigns (KeyBank is the largest single supporter at $2.13 million in 2023), foundation and institutional grants (KeyBank Foundation $2.1M, Cleveland Clinic $2.5M), pooled health sector investments through the Collaborative Approach to Public Goods Investment (CAPGI) involving 9+ insurers and foundations, planned giving (Legacy Circle donors committed over $6.5M in the past decade), and government contracts from the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio (including $1M+ toward Ohio 211 statewide expansion by June 2026). The organization's technology platform integrates 211 data analytics, machine learning correlating community needs with policy and weather impacts, and EHR connectivity with clinical partners.

Name

The United Way of Greater Cleveland

Legal name

United Way of Greater Cleveland

Website

https://unitedwaycleveland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

United Way of Greater Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating since 1913 that fights poverty in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties through a 211 resource helpline (22,800 programs), Right to Counsel legal services, lead poisoning prevention, Bridges@Work workplace support, and workforce development, funded primarily by corporate workplace campaigns, foundation grants, and government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Services and Philanthropy

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Community resource navigation
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Poverty reduction programs
• Social services helpline
• Nonprofit community investment

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website (give.unitedwaycleveland.org), monthly giving programs, one-time gifts, and payroll deductions via workplace campaigns. The organization promotes donor-directed giving where employees can direct dollars to specific local agencies.
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Corporate workplace campaigns are a primary revenue driver. Employers facilitate employee payroll deductions, and corporate matching programs (e.g., KeyBank) significantly amplify individual contributions. KeyBank alone contributed over $2.13 million in 2023.
3. Planned Giving / Legacy Circle: Planned giving vehicles including bequests in wills/trusts, beneficiary designations on retirement/life insurance accounts, and outright gifts of appreciated assets. Legacy Circle donors have committed over $6.5 million to United Way in the past decade.
4. Foundation and Institutional Grants: Major philanthropic investments from foundations and institutional donors, including KeyBank Foundation ($2.1 million over 3 years), Cleveland Clinic ($2.5 million gift to Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition), and multiple health foundation investors in the CAPGI project (Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Humana, MetroHealth, Molina, Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, Sisters of Charity, UnitedHealthcare, and others).
5. Government Contracts and Public Funding: City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and State of Ohio funding for specific programs, including Right to Counsel ($500,000 from City of Cleveland in 2022) and 211 expansion ($1 million+ state investment for Ohio 211 statewide expansion to all 88 counties by June 2026).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Greater Cleveland is a community-impact nonprofit that delivers a coordinated portfolio of poverty-reduction services in Northeast Ohio, anchored by a 24/7 211 resource-navigation helpline connected to a 22,800-program database and extended through workplace giving campaigns, free legal representation for tenants facing eviction, workplace-embedded resource coordinators, lead-poisoning prevention, early-childhood family hubs, workforce sector partnerships, and emergency rental assistance. Services are funded primarily through individual donations, corporate workplace campaigns, foundation grants, planned giving, and government contracts, and are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries.

Product overview

United Way of Greater Cleveland offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives organized around two strategic prongs: the Community Hub for Basic Needs (addressing immediate poverty needs through 211 services, emergency assistance, and basic needs support) and the Impact Institute (driving research and innovation for long-term poverty solutions). Core programs include: United Way 211 helpline (connecting residents to 22,800+ community programs); Bridges@Work (workplace stability support); Right to Counsel (eviction legal defense); Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition (lead poisoning prevention); FamilySpace (early childhood family support); Workforce Connect (career pathway connections); Social Determinants of Work Initiative (workforce barrier removal); Siemer Family Stability Initiative (housing stability); and Universal Basic Employment (innovative poverty pathway pilot). Additional offerings include donor programs (Legacy Circle planned giving), youth philanthropy (Young Voices), recognition programs (Torchbearer Awards), and housing initiatives (Louise C. Stokes Scholar House).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 211: A free and confidential helpline connecting Greater Clevelanders to food, housing, healthcare, and other essential services.
• Bridges@Work
• Right to Counsel
• Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition
• FamilySpace
• Siemer Family Stability Initiative
• Workforce Connect

Products and services

• United Way 211 Helpline Free and confidential 24/7 helpline connecting Greater Clevelanders to food, housing, healthcare, utilities, and other essential services via a Community Resource Database of 22,800 programs; supports phone, text, web, and EHR-integrated clinical navigation.
• Bridges@Work Workplace-embedded benefit in which a Catholic Charities Resource Coordinator, supported by United Way 211, provides confidential, one-on-one support to employees on non-work challenges (transportation, caregiving, financial emergencies, mental health).
• Right to Counsel Cleveland Free legal representation and rental assistance for tenants at or below the federal poverty guideline with at least one child, facing eviction in Cleveland Housing Court; delivered with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland under Cleveland Codified Ordinance 375.12.
• Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition Public-private partnership providing loans, grants, lead-safe training, community outreach, and workforce development to reduce lead exposure among Cleveland's children and families.
• Siemer Family Stability Initiative Provides emergency rental assistance and financial coaching to keep families stably housed and children in school; administered in partnership with CHN Housing Partners as a 2-Generation program.
• FamilySpace Place-based family hubs for Cuyahoga County families with children ages birth through five, providing safe play-and-learn spaces and connections to local resources; operated in partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Libraries, Cleveland Public Libraries, and Family Connections.
• Workforce Connect Connects jobseekers in Cuyahoga County to well-paying careers in Healthcare, Manufacturing, and IT through sector partnerships with 95 employers, career coaching, Coach U training (with MAGNET), and incumbent worker programs.
• Social Determinants of Work Initiative Collaborative effort to advance access to work by mitigating worker barriers and advocating for policy changes across childcare, transportation, housing, healthcare, digital access, education, legal support, and equity.
• Louise C. Stokes Scholar House 40-unit service-enriched apartment building for single parents who are college students, combining affordable housing with childcare, academic support, and mental health counseling in partnership with CHN Housing Partners, CMHA, Step Forward, CSU, and Tri-C.
• Accountable Health Communities Five-year, $4.51 million project funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center that embedded navigators into seven area hospitals and clinics to screen patients for health-related social needs and refer them to community resources.
• Collaborative Approach to Public Goods Investment (CAPGI) Pooled-investment model with United Way as trusted broker that enlists health insurers and providers to co-fund research-informed upstream social interventions; first cycle funded the Nutrition Solution program by Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging.
• Universal Basic Employment (UBE) Pilot Two-year pilot planning phase exploring how meaningful employment with better financial security impacts income and wealth trajectories; Cleveland is the first U.S. city to explore UBE as a pathway out of poverty through a social innovation partnership with UBE Founder Devin H. Cotten.
• Legacy Circle (Planned Giving) Planned-giving society for supporters who expand their philanthropic footprint through bequests in wills/trusts, beneficiary designations on retirement or life insurance accounts, and gifts of appreciated assets; past-decade commitments exceed $6.5 million.
• Young Voices Youth Philanthropy Youth philanthropy initiative where participating students from Open Doors Academy present grants to local nonprofits, learning about philanthropy and community impact.
• Torchbearer Awards Annual recognition honoring outstanding corporate workplace campaigns across categories including 100% participation, campaign growth, leadership donors, top sponsorship, retiree campaigns, advocate awards, creative special events, and campaign manager honor rolls.
• Community Hub for Basic Needs Central prong of United Way's poverty strategy providing a single entry point for basic-needs assistance through 18 Community Hub grantee partners ($2.375M in 2024 grantmaking) and direct service navigation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of Right to Counsel clients avoided eviction or involuntary move in 2021; 85% across the full program (July 2020 – end of 2025)
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Legal Aid Society of ClevelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Right to Counsel (RTC) in Cleveland Housing Court — Legal Aid provides free legal representation to eligible tenants (at or below federal poverty level with children). United Way serves as Lead Partner Organization. Together they serve approximately 15% of tenants in Housing Court (up from 1-2% pre-RTC). 93% of represented clients avoid eviction. Cleveland is the 4th city in the nation and 1st in the Midwest with such a right.
• CHN Housing PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Siemer Family Stability Initiative (emergency rental assistance and case management), Right to Counsel rental assistance referrals, Lead Safe Home Fund administration, and Louise C. Stokes Scholar House development. CHN administers emergency rental assistance for RTC clients, supporting 83% of clients who sought rental assistance. In 2023, 137 families received housing assistance through the Siemer Family Stability Initiative.
• Catholic CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic Charities provides the on-site Resource Coordinators for the Bridges@Work program, embedded in employer workplaces to offer confidential, one-on-one support to employees facing personal crises that affect their work — including financial stress, transportation issues, caregiving, and mental health challenges.
• Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHFLA provides zero-interest, small-dollar loans to Bridges@Work participants for unexpected expenses such as car repairs, home repairs, household expenses, and medical bills. The Resource Coordinator helps employees apply and navigate repayment, building credit and avoiding high-interest debt traps.
• Geauga Credit Union (GCU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor employees with larger expenses beyond HFLA loan limits, the Bridges@Work Resource Coordinator helps them navigate getting a traditional personal loan through Geauga Credit Union.
• ApprisenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApprisen provides optional financial literacy and coaching classes for Bridges@Work participants, supplementing one-on-one assistance from the Resource Coordinator. Classes help employees increase financial literacy and knowledge of financial planning tools.
• Cleveland Clinic (AHC Clinical Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner in the Accountable Health Communities grant (2017-2022, $4.51M CMS Innovation Center grant), embedding 211 navigators in hospitals and clinics to screen patients for social needs and refer them to community resources. Over 75,000 people were offered screenings.
• MetroHealth (AHC Clinical Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner in the Accountable Health Communities grant, embedding 211 navigators for social-needs screening. Also a participant in Workforce Connect Healthcare program and CAPGI project.
• Sisters of Charity Health System (AHC Clinical Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner in the Accountable Health Communities grant. Sisters of Charity Health System is also an investor in the CAPGI pooled investment project and a supporter of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition.
• Benjamin Rose Institute on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService delivery partner for Nutrition Solution — the CAPGI-funded program delivering weekly wellness calls, nutrition education, and home delivery of medically tailored meals to socially isolated adults 50+ with chronic illness and food insecurity. Over 400 individuals initiated the program and 60% of those who stayed at least one month participated for five months or more.
• Lead Safe Cleveland CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership (founded 2019) committed to reducing lead exposure and lead poisoning among Cleveland's children and families. Over 500 members including housing, health care, government, philanthropy, and neighborhood advocates. United Way serves as founding member of steering committee. The Lead Safe Home Fund totals nearly $45 million from public sector, philanthropy, and private sector. As of February 2026, over 490 units were made lead safe, including five childcare centers.
• MAGNET (Manufacturing Association Guidance Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates Coach U, a professional development program for career coaches and placement specialists in the workforce sector. MAGNET supports Workforce Connect Manufacturing, helping place 448 people in manufacturing jobs, 310 in healthcare jobs, and 57 in IT jobs in 2023. Part of the Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group.
• Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic, private, and philanthropic partnership driving systems change to boost workers' access to family-sustaining careers, increase businesses' access to qualified workers, and support equitable outcomes by race and gender. United Way is a founding agency and provides pooled workforce development funding. Workforce Connect engaged 95 employers and facilitated 2,200+ hires in 2022-2023.
• Cuyahoga County Public LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in FamilySpace program — hosting FamilySpace sessions at Garfield Heights and South Euclid-Lyndhurst branches. Libraries provide space, materials, and community access for families with children ages 0-5 to play, learn, and receive referrals to services. Over 1,000 adults and nearly 1,400 children have attended sessions.
• Cleveland Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in FamilySpace program (hosting sessions at Carnegie West and Hough branches) and Day of Action (30 Blessing Boxes stocked at all 30 Cleveland Public Library branches). Provides physical infrastructure and community trust for service delivery.
• Family ConnectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Connections is a partner in the FamilySpace initiative, providing programming guidance and community advisory support alongside United Way, Cuyahoga County Public Libraries, and Cleveland Public Libraries.
• Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMHA provides 40 project-based vouchers and leases land for the Louise C. Stokes Scholar House, a 40-unit service-enriched apartment building for single-parent college students and their children. Scholar House combines affordable housing with wraparound services (childcare, academic support, mental health counseling) to break the generational cycle of poverty.
• Step ForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStep Forward provides high-quality daycare at its William Patrick Day Early Learning Center next door to the Louise C. Stokes Scholar House, supporting the two-generation approach to breaking the cycle of poverty.
• Cleveland State University (CSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSU partners with Tri-C on academic counseling, life skills, and cohort support for first-generation college students at the Louise C. Stokes Scholar House. Scholar House is located within walking distance of CSU and Tri-C campuses.
• Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTri-C partners with CSU on academic counseling, life skills, and cohort support for first-generation college students at the Louise C. Stokes Scholar House.
• Stout Risius Ross, LLCcoreOthersIndependent evaluation firm contracted to evaluate the effectiveness of Right to Counsel. Released annual evaluations showing 93% success rate in 2021, $4.7M in community savings, and $44.7M in community benefits in 2025 evaluation.
• Case Western Reserve University Center on Poverty and Community DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted participant focus groups informing the Ohio Health Improvement Zones (OHIZ) project, providing feedback on referral and navigation experiences that inform United Way 211 and healthcare partner practices.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Way of New York City: Large metropolitan United Way affiliate serving NYC with similar portfolio including 211 helpline, workforce development, and anti-poverty initiatives. Direct comparable on scale, multi-sector convening role, and donor/employer engagement model.
• United Way of Central Ohio: Another large Ohio-based United Way affiliate with similar focus on poverty reduction, community investment, and 211-style resource navigation. Highly comparable on geography, funder base, and programmatic scope.
• Catholic Charities USA: National social services network delivering housing, food, family, and crisis services. UWGC directly partners with Catholic Charities for the Bridges@Work Resource Coordinators, indicating close operational overlap and competing/collaborating role in social services delivery.
• Robin Hood Foundation: Major U.S. anti-poverty nonprofit focused on poverty research and programs, comparable to UWGC's Impact Institute approach. Notable for combining direct programs, policy work, and data-driven evaluation, closely aligning with UWGC's two-pronged Community Hub / Impact Institute structure.
• Legal Aid Society of Cleveland: Direct UWGC partner on Right to Counsel Cleveland and a fellow Cleveland social/justice services nonprofit. Comparable peer at the program operational level for housing/eviction services.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: Global umbrella network for over 1,100 local United Ways including UWGC. Provides brand, infrastructure standards, and advocacy; UWGC operates as an autonomous member. Comparable at the network and standards level even though structure differs.
• Feeding America: National hunger-relief organization. Analogous to UWGC's broad social services role but focused on food. Useful peer reference for a comparable scale of national network with regional affiliate operating model.

Regional players

• The Cleveland Foundation: One of the largest community foundations in the U.S., headquartered in Cleveland. Collaborates with UWGC on community initiatives (e.g., Lead Safe Coalition) but operates as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider, offering a complementary regional perspective on Cleveland's funder ecosystem.
• Greater Cleveland Food Bank: Cleveland regional food distribution nonprofit. Comparable to UWGC's food-related 211 navigation, Blessing Boxes, and family stability services, but narrower in scope. Represents a peer regional nonprofit operating in the same service area.
• Heart of Ohio United Way: United Way affiliate serving Franklin County (Columbus area) and a longstanding peer of UWGC within the statewide Ohio United Way network. Comparable in mission and operations but serves a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user93263637
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwaycleveland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwaycle
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaycle
• Xx.com/unitedwaycle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The United Way of Greater Cleveland