United Way of Greater Los Angeles

What United Way of Greater Los Angeles does

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1922 that mobilizes individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, government agencies, and grassroots advocates to address poverty, homelessness, housing instability, and educational inequity across Greater Los Angeles County. The organization operates through interconnected program platforms including Home For Good (a strategic initiative aligning $62M+ in private funding with $5B+ in public resources to end homelessness), Everyone In (a grassroots movement of 120,000 supporters), the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (federal pass-through funds distributed since 1983 totaling over $200 million), free tax preparation via VITA, utility bill assistance in partnership with Southern California Edison and SoCalGas, the Community College Success Initiative, and a Homeless Service Work training pipeline funded at Santa Monica College. UWGLA generates revenue through voluntary individual donations (monthly giving community and event-driven campaigns), corporate and foundation sponsorships, government contracts for EFSP administration, and signature fundraising events such as WalkUnitedLA, which in 2026 drew 7,500+ participants and 100+ partners at SoFi Stadium with the Los Angeles Rams.

UWGLA's technology footprint is light: it does not develop proprietary products, but operates digital assets including the LA Housing & Homelessness Ecosystem Map (an interactive tool co-developed with Corporation for Supportive Housing and VoxPop), the Free Tax Prep LA online filing platform, and the Wildfire Response Fund management system. Core payment processing runs on Fundraiseup, with web analytics on Google Analytics and LeadsRx. The organization has distinguished itself as a convener and policy architect rather than a direct service provider, having championed Proposition HHH, Measure H, and Measure A (2024), a half-cent sales tax with no sunset clause that funds homelessness services and affordable housing in LA County. It maintains 51-100 employees at its Los Angeles headquarters and operates as an independent affiliate of United Way Worldwide, governed by its own Board of Directors.

Following the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires, UWGLA demonstrated rapid crisis response capacity by deploying $2.5 million to 30 community organizations within 24 hours and subsequently committing $425,000 toward 50 accessory dwelling units for Altadena households through San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. The organization's go-to-market combines community-led coalition building with event-driven fundraising, with major corporate partners spanning financial services (East West Bank, Bank of America, BMO, City National Bank, U.S. Bank, Kaiser Permanente, KPMG, Edward Jones, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation), media (ABC-7/KABC-TV), and professional sports (Los Angeles Rams).

Name

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

Legal name

United Way, Inc.

Website

https://unitedwayla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1922 that mobilizes donors, corporate partners, and government agencies to address poverty, homelessness, and educational inequity across Greater Los Angeles County through programs, advocacy, and convening.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Nonprofit social services
• Homelessness services
• Affordable housing advocacy
• Community development programs
• Emergency relief funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: UWGLA raises funds from individual donors through its website, events, monthly giving program (L.A. Giving Community), and direct mail/email campaigns. Donations are tax-deductible (EIN 95-2274801). The Wildfire Response Fund raised $2.5M+ within 24 hours of the January 2025 wildfires from 2,800+ individual supporters.
2. Corporate & Foundation Partnerships: UWGLA secures gifts and sponsorships from corporations and foundations. WalkUnitedLA 2026 involved 100+ community and corporate partners. East West Bank has been a leading sponsor since 2007. Apple joined as a partner for affordable housing for homeless youth. Cedars-Sinai funded the United to House LA Income Support Program.
3. Government Contracts (EFSP Administration): UWGLA administers the Los Angeles County Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP), a federal program that distributes funds to local organizations. Since 1983, over $200 million in EFSP funding has been distributed through UWGLA's administration.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: WalkUnitedLA is an annual 5K run/walk that generates donations, corporate sponsorships, and volunteer engagement. 2026 event at SoFi Stadium raised $200,000+ toward a $350,000 goal. Sponsors include Los Angeles Rams, East West Bank, Edward Jones, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, Bank of America, BMO, City National Bank, Kaiser Permanente, KPMG, L.A. Care, U.S. Bank, and ABC-7/KABC-TV.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes individual donations, corporate and foundation sponsorships, government contracts, and volunteers to fund and deliver programs addressing poverty, homelessness, housing instability, food insecurity, and educational inequity across Greater Los Angeles County. The organization administers federal programs (Emergency Food & Shelter Program, 211 hotline), funds community nonprofits through grantmaking, advocates for affordable housing policy, and operates direct service programs including free tax preparation (VITA), utility assistance, wildfire recovery relief, and student success initiatives.

Product overview

United Way of Greater Los Angeles operates as a nonprofit platform offering multiple interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The core portfolio includes homelessness prevention and response programs (Home For Good, Everyone In, Emergency Food & Shelter), financial assistance services (Utility Assistance, VITA tax preparation), education initiatives (Community College Success Initiative, Dual Enrollment Toolkit), and emergency relief (Wildfire Response Fund, Income Support Programs). The organization also provides an interactive digital tool called the LA Housing & Homelessness Ecosystem Map for service providers. Key programs like the Homeless Service Work Program at Santa Monica College and WalkUnitedLA events support workforce development and fundraising. These offerings work together to create pathways from poverty to prosperity through housing, education, and economic opportunity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Home For Good: Initiative that unites philanthropists, service providers, elected officials, government agencies, and community members around shared priorities to end homelessness.
• Everyone In
• WalkUnitedLA
• Emergency Food & Shelter
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
• Way2Success Community College Resource Fair
• Community College Success Initiative (CCSI)

Products and services

• Home For Good A strategic initiative that unites philanthropists, service providers, elected officials, government agencies, and community members around shared priorities to end homelessness. Includes the Funders Collaborative, Coordinated Entry System development, and policy initiatives such as Proposition HHH and Measure H.
• Everyone In A grassroots movement in partnership with over 120,000 LA County residents that advocates for unhoused community members and drives critical housing reform and policy change at local and county levels.
• Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Los Angeles County Emergency Food & Shelter Program administered by UWGLA since 1983, funding local organizations that provide safe, affordable housing and nutritious food. Has distributed over $200 million in EFSP funding across L.A. County.
• Utility Assistance Program One-time utility bill assistance program in partnership with Southern California Edison and SoCalGas, providing $100-$200 in energy and gas bill assistance to households struggling to pay utility bills. Has served 600,000+ households since 1983, including 16,000 homes per year.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free basic income tax preparation service connecting IRS-certified professionals with communities across LA County through in-person sites and online filing via FreeTaxPrepLA.com. Helps individuals and families earning $67,000 or less maximize their refunds through credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• WalkUnitedLA Annual 5K walk/run fundraising event supporting community college students and families facing housing instability, food insecurity, and economic hardships. The 2026 event at SoFi Stadium drew 7,500+ participants and 100+ community and corporate partners, raising $200,000+. Partnered with the Los Angeles Rams.
• Community College Success Initiative (CCSI) Initiative grounded in equity designed to support first-generation students of color with resources to thrive. Includes mentorship programs, resource fairs, academic toolkits, and dual enrollment support. Long Beach City College's dual enrollment program reached 6,989 students in 2024-25 with an 86% course success rate.
• Wildfire Response Fund Emergency relief fund launched within 24 hours of the January 2025 wildfires to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery support for fire survivors, including housing rebuild support ($425K toward 50 ADUs), financial assistance, emotional support services, and community-driven rebuilding initiatives. Engaged 90+ corporate and foundation partners and 2,800+ individual supporters.
• United to House LA Interim Income Support Program One-time lump sum income support program of $20,000 for rent-burdened seniors 65+ and/or people with disabilities. Includes legal aid support through the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles to help participants maintain public benefits. Program was evaluated by the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania and the College of Social Work Office of Research and Public Service at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• LA Housing & Homelessness Ecosystem Map Interactive digital tool co-developed with Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and VoxPop that maps LA County's homelessness response system, including government departments, agencies, nonprofits, and service categories (Homeless Services, Housing, Data & Accountability, Homeless Prevention, Policy & Decision Making). Provides a top-level view of public-sector partners for service providers.
• Homeless Service Work Program First-of-its-kind training program at Santa Monica College funded by $355,000 from UWGLA that equips students to become skilled street outreach workers, case managers, and housing navigators. Includes 50 hours of hands-on fieldwork with nonprofit partners, with all student fees covered and wraparound support including supervised internships and job-placement assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,000 people served directly; 3,000+ households received essentials; 5,000+ outdoor workers received cash assistance
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Los Angeles RamsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026Los Angeles Rams are co-host and presenting sponsor of WalkUnitedLA, UWGLA's flagship annual fundraising event. Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford (2025 AP NFL MVP) served as Honorary Chair for both 2025 and 2026 events. The Rams provide venue (SoFi Stadium), team participation, mascot, rookies, and cheerleaders. The partnership amplifies UWGLA's reach into the LA sports community and drives corporate and individual fundraising.
• Long Beach City College (LBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2025UWGLA and LBCC co-developed a Dual Enrollment Toolkit to help underrepresented students access community college courses while still in high school. LBCC hosted multilingual focus groups with students and families from feeder districts including Long Beach Unified and Norwalk-La Mirada. LBCC's dual enrollment program reached 6,989 students in 2024-25 with an 86% course success rate.
• San Gabriel Valley Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025UWGLA invested $425,000 toward the construction of 50 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for low-income households displaced by the Eaton wildfire, working through San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. The first ADU was completed in March 2026 for the Wood family. Habitat built the primary residence and ADU with 1,626 volunteers in six months.
• Santa Monica CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024UWGLA provided $355,000 in funding to Santa Monica College to expand its Homeless Service Work program — a first-of-its-kind training pipeline that equips students to become street outreach workers, case managers, and housing navigators. The program includes 50 hours of hands-on fieldwork with nonprofit partners. UWGLA's funding covers all student fees and provides wraparound support including supervised internships and job-placement assistance.
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWGLA partnered with CSH (a national system leader) and VoxPop (local communications firm) to design an interactive LA Housing & Homelessness Ecosystem Map tool. CSH provided system expertise to help map LA County's homelessness response system, including government agencies, nonprofits, and service categories.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• California Community Foundation: Large LA-based community foundation making grants across housing, education, and economic mobility with overlapping funder pool, target issue areas, and government-aligned advocacy approach.
• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA): The lead public agency coordinating homelessness funding and services across LA; UWGLA collaborates with and complements LAHSA through private fundraising and policy advocacy rather than direct service delivery.
• United Way Worldwide: The parent network governing UWGLA and ~1,000 other local United Ways; comparable in brand, workplace-giving model, and 211 infrastructure, though operating at a national scale rather than LA-focused.

Direct peers

• United Way of New York City: A fellow large-metro United Way affiliate operating under the United Way Worldwide umbrella, running similar programs in housing, workforce, education, and emergency relief, with comparable funder-convening and corporate-partnership models.
• Salvation Army Southern California: Operates emergency relief, housing, and food programs across Southern California with similar donor-supported, faith-informed service model; directly comparable in disaster-response and basic-needs service delivery.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles: Affordable housing and ADU builder partnering directly with UWGLA on wildfire rebuilds; comparable in housing-focused nonprofit operations, volunteer mobilization, and corporate/foundation funding model in LA.
• American Red Cross Los Angeles Region: National disaster-response nonprofit with deep LA presence; directly comparable in emergency relief, donor mobilization, and wildfire response, and competes for similar disaster-relief funding.
• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles: Large LA-based social services nonprofit providing housing, immigration, refugee, and family services with overlapping donor base, government contracts, and target populations in the same county footprint.
• United Way Bay Area: Regional United Way affiliate serving the SF Bay Area with a comparable mix of housing, homelessness, education, and economic-mobility programs, and similar reliance on corporate partnerships, workplace giving, and government contracts.
• Feeding America Los Angeles (LA Regional Food Bank): Regional food-assistance nonprofit serving LA County with similar donor-supported, partner-network-distributed model and overlapping donor and partner ecosystem with UWGLA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/launitedway
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UWGLA
• Facebookfacebook.com/uwgla
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-greater-los-angeles
• Instagraminstagram.com/launitedway
• TikToktiktok.com/@launitedway

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Greater Los Angeles