United Way Of Buffalo & Erie County

What United Way Of Buffalo & Erie County does

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization established in 1923 and headquartered at 742 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York, serving Erie County and Western New York. The organization operates a portfolio of 25+ programs organized around four impact areas — Community Resiliency, Financial Security, Healthy Community, and Youth Opportunity — targeting the roughly 42% of Erie County households classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) plus those in poverty. Core service lines include the 211 WNY 24/7 confidential resource hotline, the Work/Life Solutions workplace financial wellness program, VITA free tax preparation, the Full Service Community Schools model, the Doula Task Force, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and crisis-response mechanisms such as the Community Resilience Fund created after the 2022 Buffalo Blizzard. The organization also convenes multiple cross-sector coalitions, including the CASH Coalition (25+ organizations), the WNY Integrated Care Collaborative, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program local board, and serves as fiscal conduit for federally distributed funds.

The technology stack supporting operations includes the ePledge online campaign management system used by 175+ local companies for workplace giving, the VolunteerWNY volunteer-matching platform, a Power BI–powered 211 WNY impact dashboard, ArcGIS mapping for prioritized funding areas, and integrations with DocuSign, Constant Contact, FreeWill, and Zoom. The organization runs an enterprise-style B2B2C go-to-market: dedicated account executives and workplace campaign coordinators sell corporate campaigns into 175+ employers, employees then donate via payroll deduction or one-time gifts, and donors can opt into one of three Giving Communities tiered at $100+ (Next Generation United), $500+ (Women United), and $10,000+ (Tocqueville Society) annually. The 51-100 person staff is led by President & CEO Trina Burruss, with a C-suite covering Development, Impact, Finance, Strategy & Operations, and Marketing & Communications, plus a Director of Data Strategy.

The revenue model is diversified across individual giving (workplace campaigns, direct donations, planned giving, IRA rollovers, stock transfers, cryptocurrency), corporate gifts and event sponsorships (Day of Caring, Gateway to Golf, International Women's Day Breakfast, Pitch10), government and foundation grants (U.S. Department of Education FSCS awards, NYS Department of Health breastfeeding grant, FINRA Foundation, ECDSS TANF program pass-through), and endowment income. The organization is independently governed by a local Board of Directors and affiliated with the national United Way Worldwide network of 1,400 community-based United Ways but receives no ownership equity and has no parent company.

Name

United Way Of Buffalo & Erie County

Legal name

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

Website

https://uwbec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1923 that operates 25+ programs and multi-stakeholder coalitions across financial security, healthy community, youth opportunity, and community resiliency, serving the roughly 42% of Erie County households classified as ALICE plus those in poverty through workplace giving campaigns, direct services, and crisis response.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fundraising Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (624110), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Community fundraising
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Nonprofit social services
• Volunteer mobilization
• Financial wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations - Workplace Campaigns: The primary revenue stream comes from workplace giving campaigns where employees donate through payroll deduction. Donors can give one-time or set up recurring donations. The annual campaign runs April 1 through March 31, with the largest portion of pledges arriving between August and December. Donors can designate gifts to specific agencies or leave undesignated for maximum community impact.
2. Individual Donations - Direct: Direct donations from individuals made online, by phone, or mail. Accepts credit cards, checks, direct debit from bank accounts, and recurring donation options.
3. Planned Giving and Endowments: Legacy gifts through wills, life insurance (United Way Life program), charitable remainder trusts, and other planned giving vehicles. A $100,000 endowment gift today is expected to grow to over $500,000 in 50 years and give over $550,000 in grants to community programs.
4. Stock and Securities Donations: Donors can transfer appreciated stocks directly to United Way, avoiding capital gains tax. Transfer information: DTC# 0141, Firm: First Clearing, Account: United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, Account# 6022-1209.
5. IRA Charitable Rollovers: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for donors 70½ or older, allowing tax-free transfers from IRA directly to United Way. Counts toward Required Minimum Distribution up to $100,000.
6. Cryptocurrency Donations: Donors can give cryptocurrency which is more tax-efficient than cash, avoiding capital gains tax on appreciated amounts. Donations can be up to 20% more valuable than selling and donating cash.
7. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature events including Gateway to Golf (Women United), International Women's Day Breakfast, and Pitch10 nonprofit pitch competition. Events may include sponsorships from corporate partners.
8. Corporate Gifts and Sponsorships: Direct corporate gifts from companies, often matched to employee donations or as part of sponsorship packages for events like Day of Caring, Gateway to Golf, and other programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is an independent, locally governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes workplace giving campaigns, individual donations, corporate gifts, planned giving, and volunteer engagement to fund and deliver community programs across four impact areas: Community Resiliency (e.g., 211 WNY hotline, Community Resilience Fund), Financial Security (e.g., Work/Life Solutions, VITA free tax prep, United Way Works), Healthy Community (e.g., Doula Task Force, Breastfeeding Friendly Erie County), and Youth Opportunity (e.g., Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Full Service Community Schools).

Product overview

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County operates as a community impact organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs across four impact areas: Community Resiliency (211 WNY hotline, Community Resilience Fund), Financial Security (Work/Life Solutions, VITA tax prep, United Way Works, CASH Coalition), Healthy Community (Doula Task Force, Breastfeeding Friendly Erie County, Trauma-Informed Self Care, Thrive by Five Coalition), and Youth Opportunity (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, WNY Girls in Sports, Full Service Community Schools, Youth Access Coalition). The organization also runs volunteer engagement programs (Day of Caring, Business Meets Community, VolunteerWNY platform), three giving communities (Next Generation United, Women United, Tocqueville Society), nonprofit capacity-building (Executive Edge training, Pitch10 competition, Emergency Food & Shelter Program), and workplace campaign tools (ePledge). Funded programs target ALICE households through research-informed interventions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UW Works: Work Participation Program administered for Erie County Department of Social Services, providing work experience and training services for TANF recipients.
• Work/Life Solutions
• Community Resilience Fund
• 211 WNY

Products and services

• 211 WNY 24/7 confidential resource hotline and online database connecting individuals in Western New York with housing, food, bill assistance, and other essential community services. Used by community members in need and activated for emergency response coordination.
• Community Resilience Fund Crisis response fund providing immediate and long-term support to families affected by community emergencies such as natural disasters and mass layoffs.
• Work/Life Solutions Workplace financial wellness program offering Resource Coordinator services, $500–$1,000 loans, savings programs, and financial education classes to improve employee productivity, retention, and financial stability for participating employers and their employees.
• VITA Free Tax Preparation IRS-certified, volunteer-powered free tax preparation service for individuals earning less than $69,000, helping filers claim EITC, Child Tax Credit, and other tax credits.
• United Way Works Workforce development program administering Erie County DSS's TANF Work Participation Program, providing education, vocational exploration, and work experience for approximately 500 TANF recipients annually.
• CASH Coalition Creating Assets, Savings & Hope coalition of 25+ organizations (banks, credit unions, nonprofits, faith groups) focused on financial education, securing working family tax credits, and asset development.
• Doula Task Force Initiative improving birth outcomes through access to Medicaid-reimbursed doula services, supporting 55 enrolled doulas serving 1,100+ families as of February 2024.
• Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding & Lactation Friendly Erie County NYS-funded ($987,510 grant) initiative establishing breastfeeding-friendly practices across medical practices, worksites, and community settings to increase chestfed babies in Erie County.
• Trauma-Informed Self Care Program investing over $500,000 in partner agencies using trauma-informed care approaches to help children and adults develop coping skills and resilience.
• Starting Line: Thrive by Five Coalition Early childhood coalition launched in 2023 bringing together child care providers, school districts, higher education, government, healthcare, and community partners to strengthen early childhood systems in Erie County.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Early literacy program mailing free, age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five in Erie County, promoting early literacy and a lifelong love of reading.
• WNY Girls in Sports Youth development program established in 2006 that invites 250+ Erie County girls twice yearly to sample sports like basketball, golf, tennis, and volleyball while building leadership skills.
• Full Service Community Schools U.S. Dept. of Education-funded initiative bringing academic, social, and health services to students, families, and communities through site facilitators and partner networks at school sites in Buffalo and Cleveland Hill.
• Youth Access Coalition Consortium of school districts, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, and businesses sharing resources to help children and families overcome systemic barriers in Erie County.
• Day of Caring Annual one-day volunteer event held in June that mobilizes 2,000+ volunteers across more than 100 projects supporting Erie County families at every stage of life.
• Business Meets Community Corporate volunteer program connecting businesses with community projects for team-building and civic engagement, engaging 1,300+ volunteers and 132 projects in 2018.
• VolunteerWNY Online volunteer management platform connecting individual volunteers with year-round opportunities from nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and educational institutions across Western New York.
• Next Generation United Giving community for young professionals donating $100+ annually, providing social, networking, and volunteer opportunities to address local challenges in Erie County.
• Women United Network of women philanthropists donating $500+ annually who mobilize for the health and wellness of women and children through philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism.
• Tocqueville Society National giving society for philanthropists investing $10,000+ annually, offering exclusive events, networking, and engagement with business and government leaders.
• Pitch10 Annual live pitch competition hosted by Next Generation United where ten emerging nonprofits compete for $50,000 in funding.
• Executive Edge 10-month leadership development program for nonprofit CEOs and executive directors featuring peer learning, accountability partnerships, and executive speaker conversations.
• Emergency Food & Shelter Program Federal program supplementing food and shelter services in Erie County; locally chaired by the United Way President with FeedMore WNY and Belmont Housing Resources serving as fiscal conduits.
• Endowment & Planned Giving Legacy giving options including United Way Life (life insurance), cryptocurrency and stock/securities donations, IRA Charitable Rollovers (QCDs), and partnership with FreeWill for free online estate planning.
• MyFreeTaxes Free online tax preparation service accessible from home, offered in partnership with MyFreeTaxes for filers with simple returns at all income levels.
• ALICE Advisory Council Community advisory group enabling ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households to share ideas and help direct United Way programming in Erie County.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42% of Erie County households live below ALICE survival threshold, guiding resource allocation priorities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Integration15 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Starting Line Thrive by 5 CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coalition launched in 2023 bringing together early childhood stakeholders from across Erie County including child care providers, school districts, higher education, government entities, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and faith-based partners committed to strengthening early childhood systems.
• March of DimescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019March of Dimes is a member of the Doula Task Force coalition, helping overcome barriers that arose during the NYS Medicaid doula pilot program in Erie County, including denials of Medicaid reimbursement and lack of access to Labor & Delivery.
• Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Since 2007, United Way has partnered with ECDSS to administer the Work Participation Program (UW Works), engaging TANF recipients in workforce participation enhancements. United Way disburses funds to service providers and provides fiscal management.
• FeedMore of WNYcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 March 1983FeedMore of WNY acts as the fiscal conduit for agencies who secure food-related dollars through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. This partnership enables efficient distribution of federal EFSP funds to food service organizations in Erie County.
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program National BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983National Board chaired by FEMA consists of representatives of American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of Churches of Christ, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide. Local board is chaired by United Way President.
• Belmont Housing Resources for WNYcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBelmont Housing Resources for WNY serves as the fiscal conduit for agencies securing shelter dollars through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, enabling effective distribution of federal housing assistance funds.
• NBT BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBT Bank enables the Work/Life Solutions program, a workplace financial wellness initiative improving employee productivity, retention, attendance, financial stability, and well-being. The bank provides critical funding that makes the Resource Coordinator, loan/savings program, and financial education classes possible at participating workplaces.
• WNY Integrated Care CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way is a founding member of the WNY Integrated Care Collaborative, which was awarded over $36.8 million through the NYS Medicaid 1115 waiver to contract with and reimburse community-based organizations for delivering transportation, nutrition, and housing services to Medicaid eligible members.
• CASH CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWBEC leads the Creating Assets, Savings & Hope (CASH) Coalition of more than 25 organizations including banks, credit unions, nonprofits, faith and community groups, educational institutions, and government agencies focused on proactive community-based strategies including securing working family credits, financial education, and asset development.
• Youth Access CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA consortium of representatives from organizations throughout Erie County who share a collective vision to positively impact school-aged children. Coalition includes local school districts, post-secondary institutions, community based organizations, youth activity vendors, parents, local businesses, and social service supporters.
• Buffalo Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Buffalo Public School District for Full Service Community Schools initiative. United Way brings in partners including BestSelf Behavioral Health, Catholic Charities, YWCA, and county departments to provide academic, social, and health services at FSCS school sites.
• Cleveland Hill Union Free School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMost recent Full Service Community Schools expansion serving more than 800 children and 500 families, operating since 2020. The program has been accessed for food distribution over 2,000 times in its first year.
• Buffalo Bills Social Justice CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuffalo Bills Social Justice Committee supports Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, working with United Way to inspire change through early childhood literacy programs and the Bills Inspire Change initiative.
• Assemblymember Jonathan D. RiveraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffice of Assemblymember Jonathan D. Rivera provides support for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in Erie County as a community partner.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The national umbrella organization for the 1,400 local United Ways network that UWBEC belongs to. Operates national corporate partnerships (NBT Bank relationship runs through UW Worldwide/FINRA), brand standards, and ALICE research framework across all affiliates.

Direct peers

• The Salvation Army of Buffalo: The Salvation Army's Buffalo chapter delivers emergency food, shelter, and social services in the same geography as UWBEC. Direct peer in service delivery, donor competition, and federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program partnership (UWBEC chairs the local board).
• Points of Light: Points of Light operates HandsOn Network, the nation's largest volunteer mobilization infrastructure—directly comparable to UWBEC's VolunteerWNY platform and Day of Caring program in terms of volunteer engagement scale.
• United Way of New York City: United Way of New York City is the largest New York State United Way affiliate, operating the same workplace campaign, volunteer mobilization, and community impact model in NYC. Directly comparable as a state-level peer running the same programmatic portfolio at different scale.
• United Way of Central Ohio: Mid-sized urban United Way running the same workplace giving, ALICE-informed programs, and family stability initiatives as UWBEC. Closely comparable in scale, programmatic mix, and operating model.
• Catholic Charities of Buffalo: Catholic Charities of Buffalo is a co-located peer delivering social services across housing, family, and food programs in Erie County. Directly comparable service mix (case management, emergency assistance, family support) and overlapping community partnerships.
• United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes: A New York State United Way of similar mid-sized city scale, running comparable workplace campaigns, 2-1-1 services, and community impact programs. Comparable operating model, geography (Upstate NY), and programmatic portfolio to UWBEC.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley: A larger mid-Atlantic United Way running the same workplace giving, 2-1-1 hotline, and impact area framework as UWBEC. Comparable in operating model with similar programmatic areas (financial stability, health, education, youth).
• Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo: The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo serves the same Erie County geography, administering charitable funds, grantmaking, and donor-advised funds. Direct local peer in community philanthropy and nonprofit capacity building space.

Emerging players

• FeedMore WNY: FeedMore of WNY is a partner and fiscal conduit for UWBEC's Emergency Food and Shelter Program—operates the regional food bank and adjacent nutrition programs. Adjacent rather than direct competitor in food/hunger services space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UWBEC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/uwbec
• Facebookfacebook.com/UWBEC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uwbec
• Instagraminstagram.com/uwbec

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Buffalo & Erie County