United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County

What United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County does

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1940 and headquartered at 700 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, Texas. The organization is the largest private investor in health and human services in its service region and delivers a portfolio of social-service programs targeting young children and families, students, individuals in crisis, and military service members and veterans. Core programs include the 24/7/365 211 Helpline (routing callers to 2,300+ services across 700+ local nonprofits), 12 VITA free-tax-preparation sites for households earning up to $65,000, Family Resource Centers in Eastside, East Central ISD, and Northeast, Child Care Scholarships funded through the Power of the Purse auction, Mission United (military/veterans services), Help Me Grow, HOPES, ReadyKidSA, Write Start, Shoebox Project, and Project Warmth.

The organization's revenue model is a community-driven fundraising engine anchored by an annual community campaign ($46.8 million raised in 2025), corporate workplace giving (anchor partners include CPS Energy, USAA, Valero, H-E-B, Frost Bank, Vantage Bank, Whataburger), individual donations, and signature special events such as Power of the Purse and the Kids Festival. Distribution occurs through phone (211), physical resource centers, tax sites, online donation portals, and a Volunteer Center platform. In 2024 the organization handled 161,738 211 calls, served 259,703 individuals, mobilized 8,793 volunteers, and held a network of 396 community partners while disbursing multi-year funding to 71 nonprofit organizations through 2030. The organization is a member of United Way Worldwide and holds the GuideStar Platinum Seal (2025).

From a technology standpoint the organization has no proprietary systems, relying on third-party tools — Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, FreshTrak for event registration, YouTube, and standard SSL-secured payment processing. There is no AI/ML capability disclosed. Recent strategic activity includes a $1 million PROENERGY donation for the Safety Net Program, a $100,000-plus commitment to Kerr County flood relief (July 2025), the March 2025 opening of a Northeast Family Resource Center, and the planned July 1, 2026 transition of the SAVA program out of the organization into The Nonprofit Council.

Name

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County

Legal name

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County

Website

https://uwsatx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the 24/7 211 Helpline, VITA tax-preparation, Child Care Scholarships, and Family Resource Centers, serving residents across San Antonio, Bexar County, and increasingly Kerr County through a community-campaign fundraising model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Human services programs
• Social services navigation
• Community health initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

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. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue comes from community donations through annual fundraising campaigns, corporate workplace campaigns, individual giving, and special events like Power of the Purse auction. The 2025 community campaign raised $46.8 million.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises and distributes charitable funds in the San Antonio and Bexar County region to address community needs in early childhood, education, financial stability, and crisis support. It directly operates a portfolio of community programs including the 211 social services helpline, free VITA tax preparation, Child Care Scholarships, Mission United services for military and veteran families, Family Resource Centers, and volunteer-driven drives for school supplies (Write Start), basic necessities (Shoebox Project), and winter coats (Project Warmth). All services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries with no fees for end users.

Product overview

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County operates a portfolio of interconnected social service programs rather than a single product. The core offerings include the 211 Helpline (social services navigation), VITA tax assistance, and multiple direct service programs addressing child care (Child Care Scholarships, Dual Generation), basic needs (Shoebox Project, Project Warmth, Family Resource Centers), education (Write Start school supplies, Help Me Grow, ReadyKidSA), and crisis support (Mission United, HOPES). These programs are complemented by volunteer engagement (Volunteer Center) and fundraising events (Power of the Purse, Kids Festival), all supported by corporate and community partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 211 Helpline Free, anonymous social services hotline available 24/7/365 that connects individuals to housing, food, healthcare, utility assistance, and mental health support via a database of 700+ local nonprofits and 2,300+ services.
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Free IRS-certified volunteer tax preparation for households earning up to $65,000, provided at 12 sites throughout San Antonio.
• United Way Child Care Scholarship Subsidized child care scholarships averaging $14,000 per recipient for parents pursuing job training or higher education.
• Dual Generation Initiative Subsidized child care and family support services for parents pursuing education, operating on the east and west sides of San Antonio in partnership with DePelchin Children's Center.
• United Way Family Resource Centers Three physical centers (Eastside, East Central ISD, and Northeast) offering 1:1 resource navigation, book and toy libraries, and Family Care Closets with free basic necessities.
• Mission United Program that helps military and veteran families overcome unique challenges by connecting them to community services and monthly food distributions.
• Help Me Grow Early childhood development initiative connecting families to services that support healthy child development and school readiness.
• HOPES (Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support) Home visiting program supporting first-time parents and families with young children through education, resources, and community connections.
• ReadyKidSA Children's services initiative connecting families to resources supporting early childhood development, school readiness, and family stability.
• Shoebox Project Annual volunteer-led drive that packages everyday essential items into decorated shoeboxes distributed through Safety Net Impact partners to people in need.
• Write Start Project Annual school supply drive providing free classroom supplies to teachers in local school districts to offset out-of-pocket expenses.
• Project Warmth Annual coat drive providing free winter coats and weatherization assistance to seniors and families in need, delivered with multiple community partners.
• Volunteer Center Volunteer matching platform at volunteersanantonio.org connecting individuals with nonprofit volunteer opportunities including Shoebox, Write Start, and Project Warmth.

Quantifiable outcome

• 259,703 individuals served in one year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered key corporate partner, key partner, program partner, government partner and event sponsor.

• CPS Energykey corporate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCPS Energy is one of United Way's most dedicated corporate partners. They contribute through workplace campaigns and generous giving, and are featured as a top corporate partner on the website.
• USAAkey corporate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerUSAA is a top corporate partner supporting United Way workplace campaigns and community initiatives including monthly food distributions for military families at JBSA-Lackland.
• Valerokey corporate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerValero is listed among United Way's top corporate partners, contributing through workplace giving campaigns and community support.
• H-E-Bkey corporate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerH-E-B is a top corporate partner supporting United Way initiatives including Kids Festival sponsorship and community campaigns.
• San Antonio Food Bankkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for monthly food distributions for military families at JBSA-Lackland. Also partner for Shoebox Project basic necessities distribution.
• DePelchin Children's Centerkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate Family Resource Centers. Currently operating Eastside FRC and Northeast FRC (opened March 2025) in collaboration with DePelchin.
• Catholic Charitiesprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in VITA tax preparation program and Project Cool (box fan distribution for seniors) along with City of San Antonio and Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
• City of San Antoniogovernment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 211 helpline, VITA program, Project Cool, Kids Festival, and various emergency assistance programs.
• Joint Base San Antonio – Lacklandkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with San Antonio Food Bank for monthly food distributions serving 200 households of military families with base access.
• KABOOM!program partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerKABOOM! partnered with United Way and Uvalde CISD to build an interactive play space at Morales Junior High in Uvalde.
• Vantage Bankkey corporate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated corporate partner with employees volunteering in Shoebox and Write Start Projects. Contributed $51,000+ in 2025 workplace campaign. Sponsors Loaned Executive and committed to multiple volunteer projects.
• AFL-CIOkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partnership listed under United Way's partnership page, supporting workforce and community initiatives.
• Whataburgerevent sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of United Way Kids Festival, helping bring the celebration to life for 400+ families.
• Frost Bankkey corporate partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFrost Boost campaign matched $1.6 million in donations during 2024 United Way Community Campaign, bringing in total of $3.2 million.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: National disaster-response and humanitarian organization with overlapping capabilities in emergency relief and volunteer mobilization, comparable as a large-scale donor-funded social services entity.
• Feeding America: National hunger-relief nonprofit network operating through local food banks, comparable to UWSA's role as a community-services coordinator and fundraiser for safety-net programs.
• United Way Worldwide: The national federation of which UWSA is an independent local chapter. Directly comparable as a community-fundraising and social services coordination entity with the same brand, model, and campaign structure.

Direct peers

• San Antonio Food Bank: Regional food distribution partner with whom UWSA co-hosts monthly military-family food distributions. Comparable as a large-scale, donor-funded community assistance nonprofit in the same geography.
• United Way for Greater Austin: Central Texas United Way affiliate with similar portfolio of education, financial stability, and health programs funded through workplace giving campaigns.
• United Way of Metropolitan Dallas: Large Texas United Way chapter operating the same community campaign, workplace giving, and grantee-funding model as UWSA, with comparable scale and program mix.
• Catholic Charities of San Antonio: Local social services provider and program partner (VITA, Project Cool) offering emergency assistance, housing, and family support in the same Bexar County market.
• United Way of Greater Houston: Another large Texas-based United Way chapter operating workplace campaigns, 211, and a funded-nonprofit model. Highly comparable as a same-model chapter in a different metropolitan market.

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio: Local housing-affordability nonprofit addressing a problem adjacent to UWSA's crisis and housing-navigation services, often connected through the same donor and volunteer ecosystem.
• Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio: Youth-development nonprofit serving similar low-income and at-risk populations in Bexar County, overlapping with UWSA's early childhood and student-success programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UnitedWaySATX
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UnitedWaySATX
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWaySATX
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwaysatx
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaysatx

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 San Antonio and Bexar County