United Way of Bartholomew County

What United Way of Bartholomew County does

United Way of Bartholomew County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1967 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, that mobilizes community resources to address generational poverty and homelessness in Bartholomew County. The organization serves families, individuals, children, single mothers, and people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, operating a coordinated network of 13 certified partner agencies and a small internal staff of 1-10 employees. Its service model is built around coordinating basic needs assistance, financial coaching, job training, housing stability support, health insurance navigation, tax preparation, and youth programming rather than delivering services directly in most cases.

The organization's programmatic backbone is Avenues to Opportunity, a holistic case management program that applies EMPath's Bridge to Self-Sufficiency framework to provide individualized coaching across budgeting, education, and job skills. Supporting programs include the Student Support Line (a partnership with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation serving 200+ students annually), Covering Kids and Families (a health insurance navigation partnership with Columbus Regional Health), My Free Taxes (free IRS-certified tax preparation for residents earning under $70,000), Ramp It Up (volunteer-built ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps), the Premium Link marketplace health insurance subsidy, and the United Way Homelessness Initiative. Digital infrastructure consists of the unitedwehelp.org multi-language resource portal and the Galaxy Digital-powered Volunteer Action Center that connects volunteers with partner agency opportunities.

United Way generates revenue exclusively through donations and fundraising, raising more than $4 million annually through workplace giving campaigns, direct community donations via the website, recurring philanthropic society memberships under the Impact Commons umbrella (Women United, LEAD United, United for Youth, and Changemakers United), and event-based fundraising anchored by the Cummins-presented Columbus Riverfest featuring Ya Gotta Regatta. Major corporate sponsors include Cummins, Toyota Material Handling, First Financial Bank, Columbus Regional Health, Centra Credit Union, NTN Driveshaft, and Enkei. The organization holds Charity Navigator Four Star, GuideStar Platinum, and United Way Worldwide certifications, and was the first nonprofit to receive EMPath's Most Impactful Award in 2024 for its Bridge to Self-Sufficiency implementation.

Name

United Way of Bartholomew County

Legal name

United Way of Bartholomew County

Website

https://uwbarthco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Bartholomew County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes community resources to combat generational poverty in Bartholomew County, Indiana. It raises over $4 million annually through donations and coordinates a 13-partner-agency network to deliver case management, housing stability, basic needs, and youth support services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Poverty alleviation programs
• Basic needs assistance
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Nonprofit case management

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Community Campaign Donations: United Way annually raises more than $4 million for social service agencies and programs locally in Bartholomew County through community fundraising campaigns. Individual donors contribute through direct donations via website, workplace pledge programs, and planned giving arrangements.
2. Event-Based Fundraising: Revenue generated through signature events including Columbus Riverfest featuring Ya Gotta Regatta, where teams build cardboard boats and compete while raising funds for poverty and homelessness initiatives. Sponsorships from companies like Cummins and Toyota Material Handling support these events.
3. Philanthropic Society Memberships: Revenue from Impact Commons groups including Women United, LEAD United, United for Youth, and Changemakers United where members contribute time, talent, voice, and resources. Women United raised $14,900 in one year; LEAD United raised $18,153.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Bartholomew County coordinates a community-wide system of social services and poverty-alleviation programs in Bartholomew County, Indiana. Its core offering is the Avenues to Opportunity case management program, which provides holistic coaching on budgeting, education, and job skills to help families achieve self-sufficiency, delivered alongside partner-supported programs for housing stability, basic needs, health insurance navigation, free tax preparation, wheelchair ramp construction, and youth support. Services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries and funded through donations, workplace giving, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

United Way of Bartholomew County operates as a social services hub offering a coordinated network of programs and digital platforms designed to lift families out of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. The core program Avenues to Opportunity provides holistic case management using the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency framework, while the Student Support Line addresses immediate basic needs for school children. The organization runs the Covering Kids and Families health insurance navigation program and the Premium Link marketplace subsidy program. Additional services include free tax preparation (My Free Taxes), wheelchair ramp construction (Ramp It Up), and the Homelessness Initiative for housing stability. The Impact Commons network comprises four philanthropic societies (Women United, LEAD United, United for Youth, and Changemakers United) that address specific community needs. Digital platforms include the unitedwehelp.org resource portal and the Galaxy Digital-powered Volunteer Action Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Impact Commons: A unifying identity for volunteer leadership groups including Women United, LEAD United, United for Youth, and Changemakers United.
• Women United
• LEAD United
• United for Youth
• Changemakers United
• Avenues to Opportunity
• Student Support Line
• Ramp It Up Program
• Covering Kids and Families
• United Way Homelessness Initiative

Products and services

• Avenues to Opportunity Comprehensive case management program that provides holistic coaching on budgeting, education, and job skills to help families and individuals in Bartholomew County achieve self-sufficiency. Uses the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency framework and addresses health, financial stability, and housing needs.
• Student Support Line Partnership with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation allowing educators to request urgent basic-needs assistance for students, including food, clothing, hygiene items, and beds. Most needs are met within one business day.
• Covering Kids and Families Statewide health insurance navigation program connecting families and individuals to state and federal health plans (Medicaid, Hoosier Healthwise, Healthy Indiana Plan) through licensed navigators.
• My Free Taxes Bartholomew County Free income tax filing service for Bartholomew County residents earning $70,000 or less annually. IRS-certified volunteers provide confidential and secure basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing.
• Ramp It Up Program Volunteer-driven initiative that builds ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps for individuals in Bartholomew County who have mobility challenges.
• United Way Homelessness Initiative Coordinated system bringing together local government, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community members to help neighbors move from crisis to stability, making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
• Premium Link Program offering financial relief to fund marketplace health insurance plans for qualifying individuals in the community.
• Impact Commons Unified identity for volunteer leadership groups including Women United (supports single mothers), LEAD United (homelessness prevention), United for Youth (youth development), and Changemakers United (former board member leadership).
• Board Bootcamp Three-month program designed to prepare community members for nonprofit board leadership, covering legal responsibilities, finance, fundraising, leadership, strategic planning, and governance.
• United We Help (unitedwehelp.org) Community resource portal providing easy access to health and human services information in multiple languages, helping residents find assistance with housing, health, financial, and disaster-related needs.
• Volunteer Action Center Volunteer management platform powered by Galaxy Digital that connects volunteers with opportunities at local agencies and nonprofits, featuring a calendar of events and agency management tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped 145 individuals experiencing homelessness move into stable housing and prevented 200 others from losing their homes in 2025
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Columbus Regional HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2024Partnership to implement Bartholomew County's Covering Kids and Families program. Columbus Regional Health and United Way work together to provide health insurance navigation to families who need health coverage, connecting them to Medicaid, Hoosier Healthwise, and Healthy Indiana Plan.
• EMPath (Economic Mobility Pathways)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2024EMPath is a Boston-based nonprofit that works to disrupt poverty across the United States. United Way of Bartholomew County was the first nonprofit to successfully implement the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency framework. EMPath presented United Way with the Most Impactful Award in 2024.
• CumminsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Columbus Riverfest featuring Ya Gotta Regatta. Cummins employees volunteer with United Way, and Cummins representatives serve on United Way's Board and committees.
• First Financial BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor community sponsor providing $7,000 for winter clothing through the Student Support Line. First Financial Bank's generosity has helped ensure children receive warm coats, clothing, hygiene supplies, beds, and other essentials.
• Toyota Material HandlingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Columbus Riverfest and United Way initiatives.
• Centra Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Annual Meeting sponsor supporting United Way's annual gathering and recognition events.
• NTN Driveshaft, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Annual Meeting sponsor supporting United Way's annual gathering and recognition events.
• EnkeicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Annual Meeting sponsor supporting United Way's annual gathering and recognition events.
• Columbus Regional HealthflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Annual Meeting sponsor. Board member Joel Philippsen represents Columbus Regional Health on United Way's Board of Directors.
• Columbus Regional Health FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Annual Meeting sponsor supporting United Way's annual gathering and recognition events.
• ForviacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteers from Forvia partner with United Way's Ramp It Up Program to build ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps for people in Bartholomew County who need accessibility modifications.
• Sans SoucicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency offering job skills training and the Build You program. Works with United Way's Avenues to Opportunity to help individuals gain employment, secure housing, and achieve self-sufficiency.
• Human Services INC.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing crisis assistance, Housing First Program, Energy Assistance Program, and financial coaching. Connected Nicole to a financial coach through Avenues to Opportunity.
• Foundation for YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Columbus Youth Camp and programs for youth and families affected by trauma. Nicole's children attended camp while she worked.
• Turning Point Domestic Violence ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing emergency shelter and non-residential services for domestic violence survivors. Helped Kaytlin's family access housing, food, and medical supplies.
• Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Student Support Line allowing educators to request basic needs assistance for students. Partnership established during Counseling Counts initiative.
• Galaxy DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides the volunteer management platform (GetConnected) for United Way's Volunteer Action Center, enabling volunteer sign-ups and agency coordination.
• DorelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated essential items for young families including Ethan and Erykah, providing mattresses, car seats, play yards, high chairs, and walkers.
• Bartholomew County Financial Literacy CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition hosts the annual Reality Store program that gives every eighth grader a glimpse into financial responsibilities of adulthood.
• Cummins (Girls Inc. Partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEAD United Chair Kathryn McCarthy represents Cummins in their partnership with Girls Inc. of Jackson County to improve and expand STEM programming for young girls.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Central Indiana: Regional United Way affiliate serving the greater Indianapolis area with a similar community-impact model, annual workplace giving campaigns, and partner agency network. Most directly comparable peer given shared United Way federation structure and program scope.
• EMPath (Economic Mobility Pathways): Boston-based national anti-poverty nonprofit whose Bridge to Self-Sufficiency framework is implemented by United Way of Bartholomew County. A close operational partner and methodology peer in the economic mobility space.
• Indiana United Ways: State association representing Indiana's local United Way affiliates, providing shared services, advocacy, and coordination. Direct peer for benchmarking and federation-level support.
• Thrive Alliance: Certified partner agency of United Way of Bartholomew County serving older adults and persons with disabilities in the region. Directly comparable as a service-delivery partner in the same coordinated network.
• Habitat for Humanity of Bartholomew County: Local Habitat affiliate addressing affordable housing in Bartholomew County. Comparable as a community-based nonprofit focused on housing stability outcomes in the same service area.
• Covering Kids and Families of Indiana: Statewide health insurance navigation program in which United Way participates as a Bartholomew County implementing partner. Directly comparable peer for the health insurance navigation service line.
• Bartholomew County Community Foundation: Local community foundation serving the same Bartholomew County geography. Comparable peer as a grantmaking and philanthropic infrastructure organization operating in the same donor and nonprofit ecosystem.
• United Way of Greater Lafayette: Another Indiana-based United Way affiliate of similar size and program scope. Strong peer for benchmarking fundraising scale, partner agency models, and Bridge to Self-Sufficiency implementation patterns in comparable mid-size Indiana counties.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The global federation of which Bartholomew County is a member affiliate. Sets standards, brand, and certification requirements that govern local chapter operations.

Regional players

• Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce: Local business membership organization that partners with United Way on leadership recognition (Woman in Leadership Honoree) and connects corporate sponsors to community initiatives. Comparable as a regional civic infrastructure player.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYx75o1OoDBf2PGDuOEOgyQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWayBartholomewCounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-bartholomew-county

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 United Way of Bartholomew County