United Way of North Carolina

What United Way of North Carolina does

United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit statewide association, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Cary, NC, that coordinates a network of 47 affiliated local United Ways serving all 100 North Carolina counties. Its operating model centers on four programs: Member Services (professional development, advocacy, and resources for local United Ways), NC 211 (a free, confidential, 24/7/365 multilingual information and referral hotline accessible via dial 2-1-1, 888-892-1162, and nc211.org), Disaster Response (co-management of the NC Disaster Relief Fund with the Governor's Office and the UW Helps NC Helene Recovery Fund), and Advocacy at the state level. NC 211 handled 186,045 inbound calls in 2024 and is embedded in the State of North Carolina's Emergency Response Team, with the Governor activating it as the official non-emergency hotline during disasters such as Hurricane Helene (September 2024).

The organization's service portfolio includes research products (the ALICE Report on financial hardship, published with United for ALICE and documenting that 42% of NC households were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023), resource tools (Food Resource Dashboard, Our Money Needs Calculator), social-service programs delivered through local chapters (Financial Empowerment Program, Wilkes Circles of Care), and member resources (Asset Library, Jobs Board). UWNC's core technology is the NC 211 referral platform — a call-center-driven service staffed by trained Community Resource Specialists, supplemented by a web-based searchable resource database and an eLibrary of situation-specific articles; a 2025 partnership with the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity extends NC 211 into digital inclusion services.

UWNC's revenue model is philanthropic: it raises funds through individual donations, workplace-giving campaigns routed through local United Ways, corporate partnerships (Verizon, Prezzee, GoFundMe.org, ForgiveCo, Carolinas Credit Union Foundation), foundation grants (Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust), and co-managed state disaster-relief funds. NC 211 is provided free to end users; grants to local United Ways and nonprofits (e.g., $10,000 disaster-relief grants) are distributed through competitive application processes. As of 2022, UWNC employed 35 staff under President and CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, who succeeded Laura Zink Marx on October 3, 2022.

Name

United Way of North Carolina

Legal name

United Way of North Carolina

Website

https://unitedwaync.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) statewide association coordinating 47 local United Ways across all 100 North Carolina counties, operating NC 211 (a free 24/7/365 referral hotline), disaster-relief funds, ALICE financial-hardship research, and state-level advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Nonprofit human services
• Community resource referral
• Disaster relief coordination
• Financial hardship research
• Statewide association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cary

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations and Fundraising: UWNC raises funds through donations, campaign contributions, and disaster relief funds (e.g., NC Disaster Relief Fund co-managed with the Governor's Office, UW Helps NC Helene Recovery Fund). The organization mobilizes communities to action to generate philanthropic support.
2. Disaster Relief Fund Management: UWNC manages disaster relief funds including the NC Disaster Relief Fund (co-managed with the Governor's Office) and the UW Helps NC Helene Recovery Fund. Organizations can contribute large donations; nonprofits can apply for $10,000 grants.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners (e.g., Verizon, Prezzee, GoFundMe.org) contribute donations, matching gifts, and strategic partnerships for disaster relief and community programs. Verizon donated $100,000 to UW Helps NC Fund and $300,000 to NC Disaster Relief Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) is a statewide nonprofit association that serves as the umbrella organization for 47 local United Ways across North Carolina, providing member services, advocacy, and disaster response coordination. Its flagship offering is NC 211, a free, confidential, 24/7/365 multilingual information and referral helpline connecting North Carolinians to verified health and human services, disaster relief resources, and digital inclusion services across all 100 NC counties. UWNC also co-manages disaster relief funds with the Governor's Office and publishes the ALICE research report documenting financial hardship statewide.

Product overview

United Way of North Carolina operates as a statewide nonprofit association serving 47 local United Ways, offering a suite of community services and resources rather than a traditional technology product portfolio. The primary digital service is NC 211, a 24/7 information and referral hotline connecting North Carolinians to health and human services. Supporting programs include the ALICE Report research initiative documenting financial hardship, the Food Resource Dashboard for food access, disaster relief funds (NC Disaster Relief Fund and UW Helps NC Helene Recovery Fund) for emergency response, and the Financial Empowerment Program providing financial coaching through local United Ways. Additional member resources include an Asset Library, Jobs Board, and advocacy tools. The organization does not appear to offer a unified software platform but rather distributes services through its website, civicrm contribution systems, and partnerships with external platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NC 211: An information and referral service powered by United Way of North Carolina and 47 local United Ways, offering free and confidential information to callers on health and human services.
• NC Disaster Relief Fund
• UW Helps NC Helene Recovery Fund

Products and services

• NC 211 Information and Referral Service

Quantifiable outcome

• 208,641 NC 211 calls handled in 2024; 31,572 Hurricane Helene-related calls between September–December 2024; 18,370 welfare checks processed during Hurricane Helene
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• United for ALICEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025United for ALICE is a U.S. research organization driving innovation, research, and action to improve life for ALICE households. United Way of North Carolina collaborates with United for ALICE to publish the ALICE Report for North Carolina — the most comprehensive county-by-county data on financial hardship in the state. The ALICE grassroots movement spans 31 states and D.C., and UWNC is the lead state partner for North Carolina. The 2025 ALICE Report (released May 2025) revealed 42% of NC households were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023.
• ForgiveComajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2025ForgiveCo, founded by Craig Antico, partnered with Verizon to provide consumer debt relief to Western North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. ForgiveCo identified and processed the debt relief for 6,500 individuals, with $10 million in medical, financial, and other debts of necessity paid off. This partnership demonstrates how financial services companies can collaborate with nonprofits and corporate donors to bring transformative change to families in crisis.
• N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) — Division of Broadband and Digital OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership announced between NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity and NC 211 to connect North Carolinians to digital inclusion services including internet affordability, computer/device access, digital skills and literacy, tech support, and free Wi-Fi. This collaboration supports Governor Roy Cooper's plan to close the digital divide. NC 211 is positioned as a key member of the State's Emergency Response Team, and the partnership strengthens NC 211's role in digital equity statewide.
• PrezzeemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2024Prezzee, a digital gifting company on a mission to foster human connection through remarkable gifting moments, partnered with UWNC and GoFundMe.org to launch a Hurricane Helene relief fund. Prezzee provides prepaid e-gift cards redeemable at 300+ retail and grocery stores, enabling $200 cash-equivalent grants to be distributed directly to Hurricane Helene survivors. Prezzee contributed $20,000 as part of the $60,000 seed funding (equally contributed by all three partners).
• GoFundMe.orgmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2024GoFundMe.org, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes donations for individuals and communities impacted by crises, partnered with UWNC and Prezzee to administer a Hurricane Helene relief fund for North Carolina residents. GoFundMe.org handles fund administration, donations, and issuing funds for grants via Prezzee e-gift cards to ensure quick delivery to recipients. GoFundMe.org contributed $20,000 as part of the $60,000 seed funding.
• Wake Forest University Athletics DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 December 2024Wake Forest University Athletics Department spearheaded fundraising for the NC Disaster Relief Fund by hosting a men's basketball game against James Madison University on December 17, 2024. President Dr. Susan R. Wente presented a check for $48,335.28 to UWNC President & CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher on behalf of the department and the Governor's Office.
• Governor's Office of North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2024Governor Roy Cooper's office co-manages the NC Disaster Relief Fund with United Way of North Carolina. When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina on September 27, 2024, the Governor activated NC 211 as the non-emergency hotline for the disaster. The Governor's office designated UWNC as a key partner in coordinating disaster relief efforts statewide, including managing the UW Helps NC Helene Recovery Fund.
• Burke County United WaymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBurke County United Way is a local United Way affiliated with UWNC's network of 47 local chapters. It operates the Financial Empowerment Program (with certified Financial Coach Keith Conley) that helps ALICE families achieve financial stability through budgeting tools, emergency savings, childcare assistance ($6,000), Medicaid enrollment support, and debt management. Executive Director Maureen 'Mo' Schwind spoke at the UWNC 2025 Annual Conference ALICE launch about serving ALICE families.
• United Way of Wilkes CountyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited Way of Wilkes County operates Wilkes Circles of Care, a 12-week program supported by UWNC's network that teaches economic and professional skills (budgeting, interviewing) to help families in financial hardship return to self-sufficiency. Program graduate Sonja credits Wilkes Circles of Care with helping her re-enter the workforce and pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Greater Atlanta: Large regional United Way serving metropolitan Atlanta with research, advocacy, and 211-like referral services. Comparable as a regional/state-scale United Way with similar ALICE-style research and member services functions.
• 211 San Diego: One of the largest and most digitally advanced 211 operators in the U.S. Comparable as a peer 211 information-and-referral service with similar 24/7 multilingual capabilities, community resource database, and government partnerships.
• United Way of California: Statewide United Way association serving California local chapters. Directly comparable as a peer state-level United Way association performing member services, 211 coordination, advocacy, and disaster response.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: Global federation and brand owner of the United Way network, of which UWNC is a state-level member. Comparable as the parent organization setting strategy, brand standards, and national partnerships that UWNC executes at the state level.
• Feeding America: National hunger-relief organization operating a network of food banks with state-level affiliates. Comparable as a federated nonprofit model addressing food insecurity — a primary referral category for NC 211.
• Salvation Army: National faith-based nonprofit delivering disaster relief, emergency shelter, and social services. Comparable as a peer emergency hotline, disaster response, and shelter provider active across North Carolina.
• American Red Cross: National humanitarian organization providing disaster relief, emergency response, and health/safety training. Comparable as a major disaster response and emergency services provider in North Carolina, with overlapping emergency hotline and shelter capabilities.

Emerging players

• Findhelp (Aunt Bertha): National social care network connecting people to social services via a digital platform. Comparable as an alternative to NC 211's information-and-referral model, increasingly competing for state and health system social determinants contracts.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina: Statewide Habitat for Humanity affiliate network supporting affordable housing. Comparable as a NC-focused statewide nonprofit network operating through local affiliates, addressing housing — a top referral category for NC 211.
• NC Community Foundation: North Carolina statewide community foundation administering disaster relief funds and grant programs. Comparable as a co-administrator of the NC Disaster Relief Fund alongside UWNC and the Governor's Office.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWayofNorthCarolina
• Instagraminstagram.com/nc_2_1_1
• Xx.com/UWNorthCarolina

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about United Way of North Carolina