Valley of the Sun United Way

What Valley of the Sun United Way does

Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1925 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona (EIN #86-0104419). Operating across Maricopa County, VSUW functions as a backbone community impact organization rather than a service-delivery charity, mobilizing resources from individuals, workplaces, and foundations to fund an extensive network of vetted partner agencies. It is currently executing its Mighty Change 2026 strategic plan, which concentrates resources on four pillars: Education (Literacy Hubs, early learning, chronic absenteeism intervention, college access via Be A Leader and Camp Catanese), Health (food banks, the Snack Pack program distributing 50,000+ packs annually, SNAP Into Action), Housing and Homelessness (Mighty Families in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa, rapid re-housing via A New Leaf, support for UMOM New Day Centers and Maggie's Place), and Workforce Development (Pathways to Economic Opportunity and the Fair Chance Collaborative with JPMorganChase Foundation).

VSUW's revenue model is diversified across four streams: individual donations (including through the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, which provides donors a full state tax credit without itemizing — limits of $495 single/$987 joint in 2025 and $506/$1,009 in 2026), corporate workplace giving (anchored by a Million Dollar Corporate Circle including APS, Edward Jones, Freeport-McMoRan, and QuikTrip, each contributing over $1 million annually), foundation grants (JPMorganChase Foundation, PNC Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Wellpoint, Helios, Helios, Siemer, American Express, Bank of America, Microsoft, USAA, among others), and event revenue (We Are United Luncheon). Philanthropy services include major gift programs with tiered donor recognition circles ranging from the Piestewa Peak Circle ($100K+ lifetime) to the Pinnacle Peak Million Dollar Roundtable ($1MM+), the Women United affinity group with a $1,000 minimum annual gift, and cause-marketing partnerships with Papa John's, Fry's Food Stores, NuVision Auto Glass, and Starbucks.

The organization is led by President & CEO Carla Vargas Jasa with an executive team including Chief Corporate and Donor Relations Officer Laura Kaiser (Chief Corporate and Donor Relations Officer since 2008) and Chief Community Development Officer Emma Garcia. Operations are supported by a headcount of 101–250 employees and a technology stack centered on GoFundMe (Classy) for donation processing, E C-Impact for volunteer management, and Pipeline AZ for workforce participant tracking. The organization is privately held as a 501(c)(3) entity, holds GuideStar Platinum, Charity Navigator four-star, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditations, and operates primarily within a single U.S. geographic market (Maricopa County / Phoenix Metro / Arizona).

Name

Valley of the Sun United Way

Legal name

Valley of the Sun United Way

Website

https://vsuw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Valley of the Sun United Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1925 that mobilizes individual donations, corporate workplace giving, and foundation grants to address Education, Health, Housing & Homelessness, and Workforce Development needs across Maricopa County, Arizona through a network of more than 700 partner agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type) (BPAGAKAG)

Keywords

• Community impact programs
• Corporate workplace giving
• Foundation grant funding
• Volunteer mobilization services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

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. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through direct donations, major gifts, and the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit program which allows donors to receive state tax credits for contributions up to specified limits.
2. Corporate Workplace Campaigns: Corporate partners run workplace giving campaigns, with the Million Dollar Corporate Circle representing partners contributing over $1 million annually. Additional corporate sponsorships and gifts support specific programs and initiatives.
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from corporate foundations (JPMorganChase Foundation, PNC Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, etc.) and family foundations fund specific programs including Fair Chance hiring, early learning, and Mighty Families initiatives.
4. Event Revenue: Annual events such as the We Are United Luncheon generate revenue through sponsorships and attendee contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Valley of the Sun United Way raises and redistributes charitable funds to deliver community impact programs across Education, Housing and Homelessness, Health, and Workforce Development in Maricopa County. Services are delivered through a network of 700+ vetted partner agencies, supported by individual donations, corporate workplace campaigns, foundation grants, and affinity group memberships.

Product overview

Valley of the Sun United Way operates as a nonprofit charitable organization structured around community impact initiatives rather than a traditional product platform. The organization delivers its mission through four core programmatic areas: Education (Literacy Hubs, early literacy support), Health (food banks, pantries, SNAP support, Snack Pack program), Housing and Homelessness (Mighty Families, rapid re-housing, emergency assistance), and Workforce Development (Pathways to Economic Opportunity, Fair Chance Collaborative). These programs are supported by philanthropy services including corporate and foundation grants, major gifts, donor recognition circles, Women United affinity group, Arizona Charitable Tax Credit facilitation, and Shop For a Cause cause marketing partnerships. The Mighty Change 2026 strategic plan serves as the overarching framework guiding all initiatives in Maricopa County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women United: A premier global network of 55,000+ philanthropists engaged in philanthropy dedicated to effecting change in local communities through health, housing and homelessness, education, and workforce development.
• Mighty Families
• Pathways to Economic Opportunity
• Literacy Hubs
• Mighty Change 2026

Products and services

• Mighty Change 2026 Overarching five-year strategic impact framework coordinating Education, Housing and Homelessness, Health, and Workforce Development initiatives in Maricopa County.
• Education Programs Suite of literacy, early childhood, K-12 support, and college access programs delivered with partner agencies for children and youth in Maricopa County.
• Literacy Hubs Literacy-rich spaces offering evidence-based programming and tools to support early literacy and family stability for students and families at host elementary schools.
• Housing and Homelessness Programs Housing stabilization, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention services including emergency shelter, rental assistance, and case management for Maricopa County residents.
• Mighty Families Family stabilization program for households with school-age children experiencing housing or financial instability, delivered through Chicanos Por La Causa.
• Health Programs Suite of food security and health access initiatives including food banks, pantries, meal sites, and SNAP benefit support for Maricopa County residents.
• Snack Pack Program Volunteer-mobilized nutritious snack distribution program delivering over 50,000 Snack Packs annually to food-insecure children in Maricopa County.
• SNAP Into Action Emergency food security initiative responding to SNAP benefit disruptions through snack-pack builds, food drives, volunteer mobilization, and direct donations.
• Workforce Development Programs Career pathway programs providing job skills training, apprenticeships, internships, mentorship, and employment support for youth and adults in Maricopa County.
• Pathways to Economic Opportunity Workforce initiative providing apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, mentorship, and financial literacy for Black and Latina young women (ages 16-29) in Maricopa County.
• Fair Chance Collaborative Justice-reform employment program providing job training, placement, hiring support, and wraparound services for justice-involved individuals in the Phoenix metro area.
• Corporate and Foundation Grants Grant recognition and partnership services connecting corporate and foundation funders with community impact programs in Health, Housing, Education, and Workforce Development.
• Major Gifts Program Philanthropy services for high-net-worth donors including multi-tiered donor recognition circles and dedicated development support.
• Women United Premier global network of female philanthropists offering a $1,000 minimum annual membership focused on the four impact pillars in Maricopa County.
• Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program Donation-receipting service that lets Arizona taxpayers claim the state's full Charitable Tax Credit without itemizing, with specified annual limits.
• Shop For a Cause Cause-marketing partnership program with local businesses where consumer purchases generate donations to United Way's food security and community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% graduation rate for JAG program participants
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey implementation partner for Mighty Families housing stabilization program, providing case management and coordinated services to families with school-age children experiencing housing instability.
• Maggie's PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency supporting pregnant women facing homelessness for over 25 years, providing prenatal and postnatal healthcare, job training, crisis support, and essential baby supplies.
• Jewish Family and Children's ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency supporting families toward stability through coordinated support and compassionate care.
• Creighton Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates FrescaZona food distribution site providing personalized support, healthcare supplies, and access to fresh locally grown food as part of SNAP Into Action initiative.
• St. Mary's Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food bank partner working with 700+ Arizona organizations. Site for Skills Center Program supporting justice-involved individuals through job training in food and warehouse industries.
• A New LeafcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Rapid Re-Housing program assisting families with moving out of homelessness through short-term rental assistance, case management, and support services.
• Duet: Partners in Health and AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting seniors through Grand-families program providing food, financial assistance, educational tools, legal guidance, and support groups for grandparents raising children.
• UMOM New Day CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing shelter and services for single mothers escaping domestic abuse, offering pathways to stability and self-sufficiency.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of the ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development partner supporting young people through programs including support during health challenges like cancer.
• Be A LeadercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing Postsecondary Access and Enrollment program with personal branding courses, networking, college application assistance, and FAFSA support. Over half of students go to college.
• Jobs for Arizona's Graduates (JAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer and College Success program funding providing high school elective course with interactive learning, career-focused projects, and 1:1 mentorship. 99% graduation rate, 80% post-grad employment rate.
• Camp CatanesecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear-round college preparation programs on ASU campuses for youth affected by financial instability, offering STEAM workshops, financial literacy, and 1:1 mentorship.
• Center for the Future of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathways to Economic Opportunity initiative working to remove systemic barriers and create opportunities for Black and Latina young women.
• Greater Phoenix Chamber FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathways to Economic Opportunity initiative addressing economic equity and workforce development for underrepresented populations.
• YWCA Metropolitan PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathways to Economic Opportunity initiative supporting economic advancement for women and people of color.
• Year Up ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing career training including Financial Operations, IT Support, Customer Success, Banking, and Application Development as part of Pathways program.
• Pipeline AZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer development platform partner enabling participants to create profiles and access internship, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Papa John'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner: Use promo code UNITEPHX for 20% off pizza order, and Papa John's donates 10% of order to Valley of the Sun United Way's Pantry Pack Program.
• NuVision Auto GlassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonors can contribute $8 or more of windshield replacement rebate to purchase Pantry Packs for food-insecure students.
• Fry's Food StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Rewards program: Shoppers link Fry's VIP card to United Way (code HU101) to support food security initiatives.
• StarbucksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhoenix Community Store at 730 West Camelback Road provides community space for job training, mentorship programs, food drives, and volunteer activities.
• Airbnb.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided immediate, safe, free housing for neighbors displaced by the Tempe microburst in Maricopa County.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of ArizonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner engaging employees in volunteer activities and community impact programs.
• PetSmartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting employee engagement and volunteer programs.
• Cox CommunicationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bridging the digital divide through digital literacy initiatives helping families gain equal access to technology.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Another large-metro United Way affiliate serving LA County with similar federated fundraising, grantmaking, and backbone convener role across housing, education, and workforce. Highly comparable operating model, scale, and program mix to VSUW.
• United Way of Central & Southern Utah / Heart of Illinois United Way: Mid-size regional United Way affiliates operating backbone nonprofit models with corporate workplace campaigns and grantmaking to partner agencies in education, income, and health — directly comparable in scope, structure, and program areas to VSUW.
• United Way of New York City: The largest U.S. United Way affiliate with similar corporate campaign model and broad programmatic focus on housing, education, and workforce in a major metro. VSUW operates the same federated funding-and-grantmaking model at smaller scale.
• Community Foundation for Greater Phoenix: Local Phoenix-metro philanthropic foundation that competes with VSUW for corporate and individual donations, donor-advised funds, and grantmaking influence. Direct competitor in the same regional fundraising market.
• Arizona Community Foundation: Statewide community foundation also headquartered in Phoenix, distributing charitable funds to nonprofits across Arizona. Competes with VSUW for individual, corporate, and foundation giving within the same service geography.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley: Listed as a VSUW strategic partner and a direct youth-development service provider in the same Maricopa County service area. Competes with VSUW's education and youth programs for both donor dollars and beneficiary engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National food bank network that includes St. Mary's Food Bank (VSUW's partner). A larger, broader incumbent operating in the same food-security space where VSUW's Snack Pack and SNAP Into Action programs compete for donor dollars.
• United Way Worldwide: The umbrella organization of the United Way system to which VSUW is affiliated. Sets brand standards, supports disaster response (e.g., Venezuela appeal linked from VSUW homepage), and influences how local affiliates like VSUW operate.
• American Red Cross (Arizona Region): National humanitarian organization that responds to disasters and supports community resilience — including the kind of emergency response VSUW provided through $400K in emergency grants during the SNAP shortage. Competes for emergency-relief donor dollars in the same region.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity (Greater Phoenix & Valley-wide): Affordable housing nonprofit operating in the same Maricopa County geography as VSUW's housing and homelessness programs. Competes for housing-related philanthropic dollars and corporate volunteer engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/myvsuw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vsuw

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Valley of the Sun United Way