United Ways of California

What United Ways of California does

United Ways of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state association founded in 2008 and headquartered in South Pasadena, California (EIN 94-1646369). The organization coordinates a statewide network of 27 local United Ways that together serve all 58 California counties, with a mission to improve health, education, and financial outcomes for low-income Californians. UWCA combines direct service delivery with policy advocacy, operating the 211 information-and-referral service in 23 counties (answering 1.8M+ calls/texts in 2025), coordinating the VITA free tax preparation program (200,346 returns filed returning $103.8M+ in refunds), and publishing the biennial Real Cost Measure study that quantifies the true cost of living across California's 58 counties.

The organization's technology stack is built around a centralized 211 Resource Database covering 780+ programs from 574 partner agencies, a 211 Data Exchange Gateway launched in 2025 for cross-organizational data sharing with clinical providers, managed care plans, and government agencies, and a National Texting Platform (launched November 2025) enabling SMS-based resource access. Self-service digital tools include MyFreeTaxes, MyMoneyPath, and the Benefit Screener for public benefits eligibility. UWCA also convenes the California United Way Coordinated Social Care Collaborative with nine local United Ways, targeting 20 counties and 1,000 community-based organizations for integrated service delivery.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels: individual and corporate donations, government grants (notably the USDA Farm and Food Worker Relief program distributing $36M+ in $600 payments to 60,000+ California food and farm workers), and private foundation grants. UWCA receives no ongoing state funding for 211 despite operating the service in 23 counties and is actively advocating through co-sponsored legislation (AB 1832) and annual Capitol Day convenings for dedicated state 211 infrastructure funding. The organization has a small central staff (1-10) and operates virtually across California.

Name

United Ways of California

Legal name

United Ways of California

Website

https://unitedwaysca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Ways of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state association coordinating 27 local United Ways to deliver 211 information/referral services, free tax preparation, financial education, and benefit screening to low-income households across all 58 California counties, while advocating for state and federal policy change.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Information and Referral Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAM

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYHLAJAAAO

Community Health & Health Equity/Social Determinants Units

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Agencies & Health Departments

Keywords

• Community information referral
• Free tax preparation
• Financial empowerment services
• Social services network
• Nonprofit advocacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

South Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations supporting health, education, and financial stability programs for low-income Californians. EIN: 94-1646369.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from state and federal government for programs including 211 services, free tax preparation assistance, and community support initiatives. No ongoing state funding for 211 despite advocacy efforts.
3. Private Foundation Grants: Funding from private foundations supporting specific programs and initiatives, particularly around equity, disaster response, and financial empowerment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Ways of California is the state association for 27 local United Ways, delivering social services to low-income Californians. Core offerings include the 211 information and referral hotline, free tax preparation (MyFreeTaxes), financial education (MyMoneyPath), benefit eligibility screening, and policy advocacy. The organization also conducts the Real Cost Measure research study and operates technology platforms including a 211 Data Exchange Gateway and a national texting platform.

Product overview

United Ways of California operates a coordinated network of social service programs and technology platforms focused on financial security, health access, and community resilience for low-income Californians. The core offerings include 211 (a 24/7 information and referral service), MyFreeTaxes (free tax preparation), MyMoneyPath (financial education), and the Benefit Screener (public benefits eligibility tool), supported by research through the Real Cost Measure study. Technology platforms include the 211 Data Exchange Gateway for data interoperability and a National Texting Platform for resource access. These products work together to connect vulnerable populations with essential services, tax support, and financial empowerment resources across California's 27 local United Ways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 211 California: A free information and referral service connecting people to community resources 24/7.
• MyFreeTaxes
• MyMoneyPath
• The Real Cost Measure

Products and services

• 211 Information and Referral Service Free, confidential, 24-hour phone and text service connecting Californians to local resources including housing, food, healthcare, job training, childcare, and senior care. Operates in 23 California counties with multilingual support in more than 150 languages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.8M+ calls and texts answered by California 211s in 2025
• +3 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• California 211 Providers NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative network of 211 providers across California working to strengthen 211 services, expand statewide reach, and drive coordinated social care delivery. United Ways of California co-sponsors AB 1832 (Ransom) with this network to provide funding for 211 infrastructure.
• Family Resource Center of San Joaquin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of AB 1832 legislation to strengthen California 211 network infrastructure and ensure consistent statewide 211 service coverage.
• Covered CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partnership with Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. United Ways provide enrollment counselors who assist Californians with plan renewals and new applications for health coverage.
• MyFreeTaxes.orgcoreTechnology or IntegrationNational partnership providing free online state and federal tax preparation and filing for households earning less than $67,000/year, with in-person VITA site locations and ITIN services for immigrants.
• MyMoneyPath.orgsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFinancial empowerment platform providing tailored resources and interactive content to help Californians build financial skills and achieve financial goals.
• 211CA.orgcoreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide resource directory and service locator powered by 211, enabling community members to search for local resources including food pantries, shelters, and community services.
• AARP Tax CounselingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for elderly tax preparation services through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, complementing VITA services for senior populations.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIRS-certified volunteer program providing free tax preparation for low-to-moderate income taxpayers, with 3,474 volunteers preparing over 200,000 returns annually.
• USDA Farm and Food Worker Relief ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with USDA to distribute $600 cash relief payments to 60,000+ California food and farm workers who faced hardship during COVID-19 pandemic. Implemented through 15 local United Ways.
• Airbnb and HiltonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency housing partnerships during January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, with 211 helping 14,000 people access housing through these partnerships.
• County and City AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner211 programs sponsored by public and private funders including county and city agencies throughout California, providing essential funding for 211 operations in 28 of 31 counties.
• San Gabriel Valley Habitat for HumanitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Altadena home rebuilding efforts following January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, with first home completed in April 2026.
• America's PromisesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership working on dropout prevention, supporting youth opportunity programs and high school graduation initiatives.
• Ready by 21 PartnershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coalition dedicated to ensuring all students are prepared for college and/or the world of work, supporting educational attainment programs.
• California United Way Coordinated Social Care CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with nine local United Ways building statewide system centered on 211 for secure data sharing across community support areas including housing, food assistance, and social drivers of health. Target: 20 counties and 1,000 community-based organizations.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization for the United Way network, providing brand, standards, and international coordination across 1,100+ local United Ways. Comparable as the parent mission-aligned body with overlapping direct-service and advocacy focus.
• Feeding America: National network of 200+ food banks addressing hunger through coordinated local operations. Comparable as a national social-services network with state/local affiliates and major federal program delivery partnerships.
• American Red Cross: Major humanitarian organization providing disaster relief, emergency services, and social support across the U.S. Comparable in disaster response coordination, broad social service delivery, and large-scale volunteer mobilization.

Direct peers

• United Way of New York State: State-level United Way association coordinating local United Ways across New York with advocacy, capacity-building, and program support functions. Comparable as a state UW association combining policy advocacy with direct-service delivery infrastructure.
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Major local United Way serving Los Angeles County with programs in education, income stability, and health. Comparable as a California-based local UW operating 211, free tax preparation, and equity-focused community programs.
• Findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha): Nationwide social care referral platform connecting people to community resources across housing, food, benefits, and other categories. Comparable as a technology-enabled resource referral platform addressing social determinants of health.
• 211 San Diego: Regional operator of the 211 information and referral service in San Diego County. Comparable as a California 211 operator providing community resource referrals with multilingual and county-specific coverage.

Emerging players

• Unite Us: Technology platform for cross-sector social care coordination connecting health systems, social services, and government agencies. Comparable in building the social care coordination infrastructure that UWCA's Data Exchange Gateway aspires to create.
• Health Leads: National nonprofit addressing social determinants of health through resource referrals integrated into clinical care. Comparable in connecting vulnerable populations to essential resources via clinical-community partnerships.

Others

• CalNonprofits: California state association of nonprofits providing advocacy, capacity building, and policy representation for member organizations. Comparable as a California-focused nonprofit membership association performing state-level policy advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedwaysca
• Facebookfacebook.com/295832374523
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3335179

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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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 Ways of California