United Way of Greater Newark

What United Way of Greater Newark does

United Way of Greater Newark (UWGN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1923 (originally as United Way of Essex and West Hudson) that serves 14 municipalities across Essex and Hudson counties in New Jersey. The organization operates through four programmatic pillars: Youth Opportunity, Economic Mobility, Community Resiliency, and Healthy Communities, with a stated focus on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. Its flagship direct service is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which runs nine in-person tax preparation sites and an online GetYourRefund portal, filing over 6,300 returns in tax year 2025 (a 53% year-over-year increase). Other programs include Celebrity Read (youth literacy), the Newark Prosperity Hub (formerly Newark Asset Building Coalition), Women United (a $1,000/year membership affinity network), Newark Thrives! (a 250+ program out-of-school time network), small business grants, and emergency relief funds.

UWGN's technology stack is operational rather than proprietary: it uses GetYourRefund and TaxSlayer for tax preparation, Qgiv for donation processing, and GuideStar/Candid (at the Platinum transparency level) for public reporting. Its revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix: individual donations, workplace giving with corporate matching, foundation and corporate grants (Citi Foundation $250K, Rockefeller Foundation $800K for NEVI, Santander $30K, Citizens $10K, plus support from Prudential, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and PSE&G), event sponsorships, Women United memberships, and earned-fee pass-through from emergency relief distributions (notably $6.5M in COVID relief). Approximately 90% of funds are passed through to community programs serving ALICE households. The organization functions as a backbone convener for multiple Newark coalitions, including the Newark Asset Building Coalition and the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative, distributing sub-grants to 15+ community-based organizations. Governance is led by CEO Catherine Wilson, a 2025 Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets Fellow, with a recently expanded board including Jeffrey Plaut and Cynthia Aureli.

Name

United Way of Greater Newark

Legal name

United Way of Greater Newark

Website

https://uwnewark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Greater Newark is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1923 that serves 14 municipalities across Essex and Hudson counties, NJ, running programs in financial mobility, youth literacy, community resiliency, and health for ALICE households.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community & Social Services (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Community nonprofit services
• Free tax preparation
• Youth literacy programs
• Financial wellness coaching
• Disaster relief funds

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting UWGN's mission to support ALICE families and community programs
2. Affinity Group Membership: Women United annual membership starting at $1,000, with strategic investment supporting asset-building work for families
3. Workplace Giving & Matching Gifts: Payroll deduction programs and corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations, doubling impact
4. Foundation & Corporate Grants: Grants from foundations like Citi Foundation ($250,000), Rockefeller Foundation, and corporate sponsors for specific programs and initiatives
5. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for signature events including Women's Leadership Breakfast, Celebrity Read, and Centennial Gala

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way of Greater Newark is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit backbone organization that mobilizes community resources to support ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households across 14 municipalities in Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey. The organization delivers free tax preparation through IRS-sponsored VITA, youth literacy programs, financial wellness coaching via the Newark Prosperity Hub, small business grants, and emergency disaster relief funds. It operates as a convener, funder, and program operator in partnership with corporations, foundations, and community-based organizations.

Product overview

United Way of Greater Newark operates as a nonprofit backbone organization with multiple community programs organized around four pillars: Youth Opportunity, Economic Mobility, Community Resiliency, and Healthy Communities. The organization runs the Celebrity Read youth literacy program, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax prep service, and the Newark Prosperity Hub (formerly Newark Asset Building Coalition) financial wellness platform. Additional offerings include Women United affinity network, Young Professionals Network, Newark Thrives! youth network, Small Business Grants, and emergency relief programs. The organization serves 14 municipalities across Essex and Hudson counties, NJ.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Newark Prosperity Hub: Community resource hub guiding residents through critical financial stability services and programs, formerly known as Newark Asset Building Coalition.
• Newark Asset Building Coalition (NABC)
• Women United of Greater Newark
• Newark Thrives!

Products and services

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Free tax preparation service for residents making $80,000 or less, delivered by IRS-certified preparers at 9 in-person locations and online via GetYourRefund. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Celebrity Read Program Youth literacy initiative where local leaders and community partners visit schools to read with students and highlight the importance of education, including distribution of new books.
• OPS Tutoring Program Literacy support program in partnership with Orange Public Schools where volunteers help 2nd grade students build reading skills through weekly one-hour sessions on Thursdays.
• Newark Prosperity Hub Digital and physical hub (formerly Newark Asset Building Coalition) that streamlines financial services including VITA tax prep, debt alleviation, and wealth building programs for residents.
• Women United of Greater Newark Network of women leaders, advocates, and changemakers supporting ALICE households through annual membership at $1,000. Part of global movement of 70,000+ women across 165 communities.
• Young Professionals Network Emerging leaders network dedicated to service, networking, and creating meaningful change in the community through events and professional engagement.
• Newark Thrives! Out-of-School Time Network Network of over 250 OST after-school and summer programs serving more than 20,000 young people in Newark, including Accelerating Summer Learning Opportunities grants.
• Small Business Grants Program Grant program supporting small businesses through technical assistance, including the BackStop Program with tracks in bookkeeping, business credit, and digital marketing.
• Fire Relief Fund Emergency relief fund providing direct support to families displaced by fire, including security deposits, furniture, clothing, and resources to rebuild lives with dignity.
• Women's Leadership Breakfast Annual event convening corporate, nonprofit, and civic leaders to advance women's leadership and strengthen community.
• Community Resiliency Programs Crisis response initiatives including relief funds for disasters, water crisis support, hurricane assistance, and COVID-19 pandemic response including vaccine education and distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Filed 9,000 tax returns returning over $12MM to community
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• City of NewarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026Partnership with Mayor Ras Baraka to launch 2026 VITA program and Newark Prosperity Hub. City support for free tax preparation services and financial wellness programs for low-income residents.
• Leaders for LifecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 February 2026VITA site host location for press conference launching 2026 tax program. Community organization providing space for free tax preparation services.
• BRICK Education NetworkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 February 2026Economic Mobility Lab providing coaching, professional development, and pathways to economic prosperity. VITA partner site and Citi Foundation grant recipient through NABC.
• Urban League of Essex CountycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 February 2026Financial Opportunity Center offering financial capability education and coaching. VITA partner site and Citi Foundation grant recipient. Helped participants build credit, increase net worth, and prepare for retirement.
• La Casa de Don PedrocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 February 2026Family Success Center providing family and youth counseling, after-school programs, and community improvement. Citi Foundation grant recipient through NABC.
• JPMorgan ChasecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 July 2024Financial literacy program for neurodiverse and disabled communities reaching over 50 people in three cohorts. Melissa Prashad from JPMorgan Chase co-created curriculum with UWGN board partnership.
• Seton Hall UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2023Partnership bringing VITA Tax Lab to campus through Stillman School of Business. Student volunteers filed 348 free tax returns resulting in $300K+ in refunds. IRS-certified students gain experiential learning.
• Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 202115 community-based organizations receiving $800K in grants for mobile vaccination clinics and outreach. Includes Allen Village CDC, Bridges Outreach, Clinton Hill Community Action, Ironbound Community Corp, La Casa de Don Pedro, and others.
• PSE&GmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing energy efficiency programs and services. Craig Bartley, Director of Energy Services, quoted as partner ensuring communities have access to energy programs.
• Ironbound Community CorporationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVITA site partner providing free tax preparation services. One of nine in-person locations for Newark Prosperity Hub tax assistance program.
• New Community CorporationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVITA site partner. NCC Family Resource Success Center serves as location for free tax preparation services.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ironbound Community Corporation: Newark Ironbound-based community development nonprofit providing family services, youth programs, and VITA tax preparation sites. Direct peer in the same Newark social services ecosystem and a partner through UWGN's Prosperity Hub coalition.
• Community Foundation of New Jersey: Statewide community foundation supporting NJ nonprofits through grantmaking and donor-advised funds. Operates in the same geographic catchment with comparable ALICE/poverty alleviation focus and corporate/foundation funding base.
• Urban League of Essex County: Newark-based affiliate of the National Urban League providing workforce development, financial capability, and VITA tax preparation — direct programmatic overlap with UWGN's Economic Mobility and Prosperity Hub work. Operates as both peer and implementation partner.
• United Way of Hudson County: Neighboring United Way affiliate serving Hudson County, NJ — overlapping with UWGN's footprint. Comparable donor base, workplace giving infrastructure, and program priorities around ALICE households.
• La Casa de Don Pedro: Newark-based multiservice nonprofit providing family success, youth counseling, after-school programs, and community services in the same catchment. Operates as both peer and implementation partner under UWGN's NABC coalition.
• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Regional United Way serving the Philadelphia/Southern NJ area with overlapping geography to UWGN's Hudson County footprint. Comparable in mission, ALICE-equivalent household focus, free tax preparation (VITA), and corporate workplace giving model.
• Victoria Foundation: Newark-based foundation focused on children, families, and community development in Newark and greater Essex County. Operates as a direct peer in the Newark nonprofit ecosystem, with overlapping programmatic priorities (youth, economic mobility, Newark revitalization).
• United Way of New York City: Large metropolitan United Way affiliate serving NYC with a comparable mix of workplace giving, volunteer programs, youth literacy, ALICE-equivalent workforce support, and coalition-based economic mobility work. Operates on the same United Way Worldwide platform with similar revenue model and program pillars.
• United Way of Central Maryland: Mid-sized regional United Way serving the Baltimore metro with similar program mix: workplace giving, ALICE/financial stability work, youth success, and emergency relief. Comparable scale, donor model, and four-pillar program structure.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The national umbrella network of which UWGN is one of 1,300 affiliates. Provides shared infrastructure (branding, donor designations, federation-wide campaigns) while UWGN operates independently on local programming — a typical incumbent/affiliate relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uwgreaternewark

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 United Way of Greater Newark