Mile High United Way

What Mile High United Way does

Mile High United Way is a 138-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1887 in Denver, Colorado, and recognized as the first United Way in the world. The organization serves the seven-county Metro Denver area — Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties — delivering a portfolio of human services programs organized around three community priorities: early childhood education, basic needs and housing stability, and economic opportunity. Core programs include the 211 Help Center (a multilingual, 24/7 resource navigation service available by dial, text, chat, and online, including a Mobile 211 Unit for disaster response and outreach), Tax Help Colorado (a free IRS VITA tax preparation program that returned $22.5M to 11,058 households in the 2025 season), United for Families early childhood education, Bridging the Gap for foster-care youth transitioning to independence, and United for Business supporting women and minority small business owners. The organization also operates the Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center, Uptown Apartments (affordable housing), The Renew Collaborative (eviction prevention), and a Strategic Investment Grant program funding 50+ partner nonprofits.

The underlying technology is centered on the 211 resource navigation system and the MyFriendBen benefits access integration, which together enable multilingual referral routing and identification of $345M in government benefits, tax credits, and nonprofit programs. There is no disclosed public API, SDK, or developer platform. Revenue is generated through diversified streams: individual donations (one-time, monthly, stock, cryptocurrency), corporate partnerships (employee giving, matching gifts, sponsorships), foundation grants (including a $20M MacKenzie Scott Foundation gift in 2020, a $1.84M HCA Healthcare Foundation grant in 2025, and a $250K Comcast investment in 2026), Donor-Advised Fund fees (minimum $15,000 opening contribution), signature event proceeds, and government-administered grant programs. Direct services to community members are free; revenue is generated from donors, grantmakers, and limited fee-based programs for donors.

Name

Mile High United Way

Legal name

Mile High United Way

Website

https://unitedwaydenver.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mile High United Way is a 138-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the first United Way in the world, serving low- and moderate-income families across the seven-county Metro Denver area through the 211 Help Center, Tax Help Colorado, early childhood education, foster youth housing, and small business support programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Nonprofit human services
• Community resource navigation
• Early childhood education
• Basic needs assistance
• Donor advised funds

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly gifts from individual donors, with various giving options including online donations, stock gifts, and cryptocurrency.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Employee giving campaigns, corporate matching gifts, event sponsorships, and corporate volunteer programs.
3. Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including MacKenzie Scott Foundation ($20 million), HCA Healthcare Foundation ($1.84 million), supporting specific initiatives.
4. Tax Credits: Leverage donor gifts with Homeless Contribution Tax Credit, Colorado Childcare Contribution Credit, and Denver Enterprise Zone credits.
5. Donor Advised Fund: Minimum $15,000 to open DAF with no investment or administrative fees, generating revenue through minimum annual grant commitments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Mile High United Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers human services across the seven-county Metro Denver area through programs such as the multilingual 211 Help Center resource referral line, Tax Help Colorado free tax preparation (IRS VITA), early childhood education (United for Families, Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center), housing stability support (Bridging the Gap, Uptown Apartments, Renew Collaborative), and small business development (United for Business). The organization also operates as a grantmaker to 50+ nonprofit Strategic Investment Grant partners and stewards donor-advised funds and giving societies.

Product overview

Mile High United Way is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of human services programs focused on three community priorities: giving children a strong start, supporting education, and creating economic opportunity. The organization operates as a unified service model rather than a technology platform. Core programs include the 211 Help Center (multilingual resource referral), Tax Help Colorado (free tax preparation via VITA), United for Families (early childhood education), Bridging the Gap (foster youth housing support), and United for Business (small business support). Additional offerings include donor networks (Women United, Tocqueville Society, Leadership Society, Catalyst Society, Legacy Society), a Donor-Advised Fund, Strategic Investment Grants to partner nonprofits, and the Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center. The organization does not offer a technology product with integrations or API access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tax Help Colorado: An IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that provides free tax preparation services to low- and middle-income individuals and families, offered by IRS-certified volunteers.
• United for Business
• Bridging the Gap
• Women United
• 211 Help Center

Products and services

• 211 Help Center
• Tax Help Colorado IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program providing free, high-quality tax preparation to households earning $65,000 or less through IRS-certified volunteers at partner sites.
• United for Families Early childhood education initiative that increases access to high-quality childcare, provides training for parents and caregivers, and invests in programs such as HIPPY home visits.
• Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center Childcare and early education center at 711 Park Avenue West in Denver's Curtis Park neighborhood, serving children ages 0-5 and accepting Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) subsidies with 70% of spots reserved for low-income families.
• Bridging the Gap Program supporting young adults ages 18-24 transitioning out of Colorado's foster care system with safe, stable housing, GED support, and wraparound career and wellness services.
• United for Business Small business support program helping women and minority small business owners access capital, receive business consulting, and participate in skills training such as the Small Business Accelerator and Website Build Initiative.
• The Renew Collaborative Program creating custom action plans for Denver families facing eviction and homelessness, providing case management and connections to stabilization resources.
• Uptown Apartments Affordable housing facility in Denver's Uptown neighborhood providing safe, stable housing to residents along with on-site 211 support services.
• Strategic Investment Grants Flagship grantmaking program investing in 50+ eligible nonprofit organizations across the seven-county Metro Denver area as an extension of the organization's mission.
• Donor-Advised Fund Charitable giving account allowing donors to invest in the community, support causes, and engage family or organizations in impactful philanthropy, with a minimum opening contribution of $15,000 and no investment or administrative fees.
• Women United Global donor network of women dedicated to creating opportunities for women and their families through philanthropy, advocacy, and volunteer engagement.
• Tocqueville Society Philanthropic leadership giving group for donors contributing $10,000 or more annually to the organization.
• Leadership Society Community leaders investing $1,000 or more annually to support community programs and transformation.
• Catalyst Society Young professional donor group for driven business leaders committed to personal, professional, and philanthropic development.
• Legacy Society

Quantifiable outcome

• 599,400 lives impacted by direct services and community partner work (2024-2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• The Fax PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partnership with The Fax Partnership to administer Denver's grant program for businesses affected by BRT construction along East Colfax Avenue. Both organizations provide technical support services including marketing assistance and business advisory sessions.
• Denver City GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver city officials launched grant program ($7,500-$15,000) for businesses impacted by Bus Rapid Transit construction, administered in partnership with Mile High United Way.
• Wells FargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer partnership with Tax Help Colorado. Wells Fargo volunteers helped prepare 37 tax returns, returning $78,600 to the community at Mi Casa Resource Center.
• Strategic Investment Grant Partners (50+ organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partners including Ability Connection Colorado, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Urban Peak, and 45+ others invested through flagship grantmaking program across seven-county Metro Denver area.
• Community Colleges and Nonprofits (Tax Help Colorado)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with community colleges, nonprofits, and central service providers to connect low- and moderate-income families to free high-quality tax preparation through IRS VITA program.
• CoBankmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 Champion of Hope Award recipient. Major corporate partner engaged in employee giving campaigns, volunteer programs, and community investment.
• Molen Coors (Retired)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard of Trustees member company providing corporate partnership and volunteer engagement.
• EmpowermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in opening new space for foster care youth at Mile High United Way headquarters, along with Denver Broncos Foundation.
• Denver Broncos FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in opening new space for foster care youth at Mile High United Way headquarters, along with Empower.
• Xcel EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard of Trustees member company (Robert Kenney) providing governance and strategic guidance.
• KPMG LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard of Trustees member company (Blaine Versaw) providing governance and strategic guidance.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: A peer regional United Way chapter serving the LA County region with a similar portfolio of 211, early childhood education, homelessness prevention, and grantmaking programs. Directly comparable as another large, mature local United Way chapter operating donor-advised funds and strategic investment grants.
• United Way of New York City: Another flagship United Way chapter running 211, ECE, workforce, and grantmaking programs at scale in NYC. Highly comparable in mission, program mix, and reliance on corporate and foundation funding.
• United Way of King County: Seattle-area United Way chapter operating 211, housing stability, and strategic grantmaking programs with similar scale. Direct regional-peer comparable given the comparable metropolitan service area size and program structure.
• United Way Bay Area: San Francisco Bay Area United Way chapter with similar 211/ALICE programs and grantmaking operations. Comparable as a California-based, large-metro United Way chapter.
• United Way of Central Ohio: Mid-sized regional United Way chapter serving the Columbus metro with comparable program lines (211, basic needs, ECE, grantmaking). Useful comparable for benchmarking program mix and event-driven fundraising at a similar scale.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay: Boston-area United Way chapter operating Baystate 211 and similar family financial stability programs. Comparable as a legacy, large United Way chapter with a similar donor-network architecture.
• United Way Tucson and Southern Arizona: Regional United Way chapter in Tucson — relevant as the organization that hired Mile High United Way's departing Chief Impact Officer, signaling direct leadership flow between the two comparable chapters.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The national umbrella organization for 1,800+ United Way chapters globally. Comparable as the broader network operator and the entity through which national foundation relationships (e.g., HCA) flow.
• Salvation Army (Denver): Large faith-based social services nonprofit serving the same Metro Denver region with overlapping basic-needs, housing, and emergency-assistance programs. Comparable as a competing provider of similar community services in the same geography.

Regional players

• Goodwill of Colorado: Colorado-based social enterprise operating workforce development, small business support, and reentry programs in the same geography. Comparable as a regional nonprofit competing for similar corporate and foundation partnerships in Metro Denver.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedwaydenver
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MileHighUnitedWay
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwaydenver
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwaydenver
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaydenver

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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 Mile High United Way