United Way of Delaware

What United Way of Delaware does

United Way of Delaware (UWDE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1946 and headquartered at 625 North Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware, serving residents of Delaware (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties) and Salem County, New Jersey. The organization operates a portfolio of programs organized around three focus areas: Early Student Achievement (My Very Own Library, Get Delaware Reading, Reading Angels, Freedom Schools, Delaware Afterschool Network), Career and College Success (Delaware Pathways, NexGen FAFSA support), and Financial Empowerment (Stand By Me financial coaching). Its flagship infrastructure is the Delaware 211 helpline — a free, confidential, 24/7 service accessible by phone, chat, and text in multiple languages that connects residents to food, housing, healthcare, and utility assistance. The organization also convenes the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative (200+ members), four affinity groups (Latinos Unidos, PRIDE Council, Women United, Tocqueville Society), and the Delaware Minority Small Business Expo, and it co-organizes the annual Do More 24 Delaware 24-hour fundraising campaign.

UWDE generates revenue through five primary streams: (1) workplace giving campaigns via 36 active corporate partners, (2) individual donations across online, text, mail, and planned giving, (3) corporate partnerships and grants (notably Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Delmarva Power/Exelon, Delaware Subaru, Barclays, Del-One FCU), (4) the Do More 24 campaign which raised $2.3M from ~20,500 donors in 2024, and (5) government and foundation grants. All services to the community are free; UWDE is the chosen administrator for the Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund (Exelon-funded, launched March 2026). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven — mobilizing 6,135 volunteers across 95 projects in 2024, supported by content channels including a bi-monthly podcast (United Voices / United for Impact, now in Season 6), a weekly newsletter, and a blog. Leadership is anchored by President and CEO Michelle Taylor, with a recently formalized executive team (EVP/COO Tierra Fair, EVP/CSO Dan Cruce, both March 2026) and a Board chaired by Brian Nourie.

Name

United Way of Delaware

Legal name

United Way of Delaware, Inc.

Website

https://uwde.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

United Way of Delaware is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 that operates the Delaware 211 helpline and programs in early literacy, career readiness, and financial empowerment for low-income residents of Delaware and Salem County, NJ.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Annual workplace giving campaigns where employees pledge workplace donations, managed through corporate partnerships with 36 active corporate partners.
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through online giving, text-to-give, mail-in donations, and planned giving programs.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and grants from companies like Delaware Subaru, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Delmarva Power/Exelon for specific programs and initiatives.
4. DoMore24 Delaware Campaign: Annual 24-hour fundraising campaign supporting Delaware nonprofits - raised over $2.3 million from nearly 20,500 donors in 2024.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from government agencies and foundations to support specific programs like utility relief funds and educational initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way of Delaware is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of community-impact programs across Delaware and Salem County, NJ. Its core offerings include the Delaware 211 free confidential helpline (24/7 phone, chat, text) connecting residents to essential services, financial empowerment coaching through Stand By Me, early literacy initiatives (My Very Own Library, Get Delaware Reading, Reading Angels), and college/career pathway programs (Delaware Pathways, NexGen).

Product overview

United Way of Delaware operates as a community impact organization offering a portfolio of programs across three focus areas: Early Student Achievement (ensuring children read on grade level by 3rd grade), Career & College Success (preparing youth for workforce), and Financial Empowerment (helping adults achieve stability). Key programs include Delaware 211 helpline, Stand By Me financial coaching, My Very Own Library book distribution, Get Delaware Reading literacy initiatives, Delaware Pathways career programs, Freedom Schools, and affinity groups like Pride Council and Latinos Unidos. The organization also runs annual events including Do More 24 fundraising campaign and Delaware Minority Small Business Expo, along with the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative and United Voices Podcast content platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Delaware 211: A free, confidential helpline service connecting Delawareans to essential resources including food, housing, healthcare, and financial assistance. Available 24/7 by phone, chat, or text.
• My Very Own Library
• Stand By Me
• Get Delaware Reading
• Delaware Pathways
• PRIDE Council
• Latinos Unidos
• Women United
• Tocqueville Society

Products and services

• Delaware 211 Helpline Free, confidential helpline connecting Delaware residents to essential resources including food, housing, healthcare, and financial assistance. Available 24/7 via phone (dial 2-1-1), chat, and text with multilingual support.
• Stand By Me Financial empowerment program providing debt reduction coaching and financial planning to Delawareans. Since 2011, over 38,000 participants have reduced their debt by a combined total of over $43 million.
• My Very Own Library Literacy program providing free books to students to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Since 2017, 484,310 new books have been provided to participating students.
• Get Delaware Reading Early literacy initiative aimed at ensuring children read on grade level by third grade. Includes summer programming to prevent summer learning loss, using BookNook adaptive tutoring technology.
• Delaware Pathways Career pathway program enrolling over 23,000 Delaware high school students to prepare them for college and future careers.
• Freedom Schools Six-week, literacy-centered summer program providing high-quality academic enrichment, small classes, and culturally relevant curricula for elementary through middle school students.
• Delaware Afterschool Network (DEAN) Afterschool programming network supporting youth development and educational enrichment outside of regular school hours.
• Reading Angels Literacy support program connecting volunteers with students to improve reading skills.
• NexGen Program helping Delaware students navigate and complete FAFSA applications, recognized by the US Department of Education with hosting 11 in-school workshops and virtual presentations.
• Do More 24 Delaware Annual 24-hour fundraising campaign supporting nonprofits throughout Delaware. The 2024 campaign raised over $2.3 million from nearly 20,500 donors for 500+ nonprofits.
• Delaware Minority Small Business Expo Annual event celebrating and elevating minority-owned businesses. Has featured over 100 local businesses and helped secure $20,000+ in funding through pitch competitions.
• Poverty Simulation Immersive experience designed to help community members understand what it is like to live in poverty, promoting awareness and driving systemic change.
• Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative (DRJC) Collaborative of over 200 members working on racial justice through health equity, wealth creation, public policy, education, criminal justice, and youth advancement.
• Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund Utility bill assistance program providing up to $500 for dual-service households and $300 for single-service Delmarva Power customers, funded by Exelon grant.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 38,000 Stand By Me participants reduced debt by $43 million combined since 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Delmarva PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026Partnership to administer the Delaware Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund. UWDE coordinates distribution of utility bill assistance (up to $500 for dual-service, $300 for single-service households) to limited- and moderate-income customers. Funded by Exelon grant.
• Del-One Federal Credit UnionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2025Event sponsor for the 2025 Delaware Minority Small Business Expo. Supports financial empowerment and small business development initiatives.
• Bloom EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2025Event sponsor for the 2025 Delaware Minority Small Business Expo supporting UWDE's economic empowerment initiatives.
• First State Community Action AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partner for community programs including Freedom Schools, Get Delaware Reading Summer, and free tax preparation events. Collaborates on poverty alleviation and financial stability initiatives.
• State Representative Lyndon YearickmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Delaware State Representative to host free federal and state tax preparation events for residents with income below $67,000.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of DelawarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in literacy and youth development initiatives. CEO Jon Tucker appears on United Voices podcast discussing challenges of fostering literacy in the community.
• Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative (DRJC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2015, DRJC comprises over 200 individual and organizational members working on racial justice across health equity, wealth creation, public policy, education, criminal justice, and youth advancement.
• Network ConnectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization with Executive Director Cierra Hall-Hipkins featured on United Voices podcast discussing community literacy challenges.
• Do More 24 Delaware (with Spur Impact)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWDE is co-organizing sponsor of the annual 24-hour fundraising campaign that raised over $2.3 million from nearly 20,500 donors in 2024 for 500+ Delaware nonprofits.
• Delaware Black Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the annual Pitch or Ditch competition and minority business development initiatives.
• Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead emergency response agency that UWDE collaborates with during natural disasters like the April 2023 Sussex County tornado.
• American Red CrossmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner working with UWDE during Sussex County tornado recovery efforts.
• Delaware Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (DEVOAD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVOAD partner collaborating on disaster recovery efforts including the April 2023 Sussex County tornado response.
• Goodwill of DelawaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for poverty simulation events. Partner in community engagement and workforce development initiatives.
• DANA (Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWDE is a partner of DANA, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, which advocates for nonprofits facing funding challenges.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Geographically adjacent regional United Way affiliate serving the Philadelphia metro and Southern New Jersey, including Salem County, which overlaps directly with UWDE's service territory. Operates the same workplace-giving, 211/helpline, and community-impact program model.
• United Way of the National Capital Area: Regional United Way affiliate serving the Washington DC metro area, adjacent to Delaware. Runs a comparable workplace-giving, ALICE-focused, and community-impact program portfolio at a larger scale.
• United Way of Central Maryland: Mid-Atlantic regional United Way with a similar workplace-giving, 211 helpline, and education/financial-stability focus area mix, making it a structurally close peer to UWDE in scale and program design.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley: Large regional United Way with a comparable focus on early literacy, financial stability, and community impact, operating a similar 211-style information and referral model and workplace giving campaigns.
• United Way of New York City: Larger-scale regional United Way with the same workplace-giving, ALICE/poverty-advocacy, and youth/financial-stability program mix as UWDE, providing an upper-bound benchmark for what a state/metro United Way can scale into.
• United Way of California: Statewide network of regional United Way affiliates running a comparable workplace-giving, 211, and ALICE/financial-stability program model, useful as a multi-state benchmark for UWDE's operating approach.
• United Way of Greater Atlanta: Large metropolitan United Way with a similar mix of workplace giving, financial-coaching/2-1-1 helpline, and early-childhood-education programming, providing a relevant scaling benchmark for UWDE.
• Delaware Community Foundation: Statewide community foundation serving the same Delaware geography as UWDE, raising and deploying philanthropic capital through workplace giving, grants, and scholarship programs. Operates a partly overlapping donor and partner base.
• United Way of King County: Large regional United Way known for its integrated 211 community-resource line and ALICE-aligned financial-stability work, directly comparable to UWDE's Delaware 211 and Stand By Me programming.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization of the United Way network that UWDE is affiliated with. Not a direct competitor but provides the shared brand, infrastructure, and program frameworks (e.g., ALICE) that UWDE operates under.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedwayde
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAyNR3wkHdxe5E0-3xflYcg
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwayofdelaware
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-delaware

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Delaware