United Way Of San Diego County

What United Way Of San Diego County does

United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in San Diego, California, operating as an independent affiliate within the broader United Way network. Founded in its current form in 1973 with roots tracing to the Community Chest of 1929, the organization concentrates its work on two pillars: education (early childhood literacy through United for Literacy and STEAM career readiness through STEAM-to-Careers) and economic mobility (free tax preparation via the San Diego County EITC Coalition, one-on-one financial coaching via SparkPoint, and banking access through the Bank On San Diego Coalition). UWSD functions as a backbone convener coordinating 126–341 community partner organizations and 942 volunteers, with documented reach of 51,633 lives impacted in the prior year and $34.3 million+ in federal and state tax refunds returned to county residents in 2025.

The organization's technology footprint is intentionally minimal: standard website analytics, advertising pixels, PCI-compliant payment processing, and reCAPTCHA. No proprietary software, AI/ML systems, or research-and-development function is disclosed. Service delivery runs through partner sites — 48+ EITC Coalition locations, multiple SparkPoint centers in historically disinvested communities, and direct school partnerships with Lincoln High School and Escondido High School.

UWSD's revenue model is entirely donation-based and diversified across individual giving, corporate workplace giving campaigns (with named partners including Navy Federal, Solar Turbines, Lilly, AT&T, UC San Diego, GD NASSCO, and Exact Sciences), corporate sponsorships, institutional grants (IRS, San Diego Foundation, SDG&E, Wells Fargo, County of San Diego, U.S. Bancorp, and others), affinity group memberships (Leaders United at $350+, Women United at $1,000+, Tocqueville Society at $10,000+), planned giving/legacy gifts, and stock donations. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Leslie Oliver (retired Solar Turbines) and led operationally by President & CEO Rachael Orose, appointed January 2026, with COO Shannon Gonzalez overseeing finance and regulatory compliance as a licensed California CPA.

Name

United Way Of San Diego County

Legal name

United Way of San Diego County

Website

https://uwsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

United Way of San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that convenes 126+ community partners to deliver education (early literacy, STEAM career readiness) and economic mobility programs (free tax preparation, financial coaching, banking access) for underserved San Diego County residents, funded through donations, corporate workplace giving, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute one-time or monthly donations to support UWSD's education and economic mobility initiatives. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Corporate workplace campaigns allow employees to pledge donations through payroll deduction, providing a consistent revenue stream for UWSD and other nonprofits.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support through sponsorships, workplace campaigns, special events, and corporate volunteerism programs. Includes grant funding from corporate foundations.
4. Grant Funding: UWSD receives grants from foundations and government entities including IRS, San Diego Foundation, 211 San Diego, SDG&E, Wells Fargo, County of San Diego, U.S. Bancorp, and others.
5. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Legacy Circle members include UWSD in wills, trusts, or other estate plans. Planned gifts include Charitable Gift Annuities, Retirement Plan Beneficiary designations, Remainder Trusts, Bequests, Real Estate donations, and Life Insurance.
6. Stock Donations: Donors can contribute long-term appreciated stocks directly to UWSD, providing tax benefits while supporting the organization with full donation value.
7. Affinity Group Memberships: Networking and philanthropic groups require minimum annual donations: Leaders United ($350+), Women United ($1,000+), Tocqueville Society ($10,000+).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

United Way of San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers community-based education and economic mobility programs across San Diego County. It runs free tax preparation (EITC Coalition), one-on-one financial coaching (SparkPoint), early childhood literacy (United for Literacy), and STEAM-to-Careers after-school programs, supported by individual donations, workplace giving campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

United Way of San Diego County operates as a community-focused nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs in education and economic mobility. The education pillar includes United for Literacy (early childhood literacy for ages 3-8) and STEAM-to-Careers (after-school career readiness for high school students). The economic mobility pillar encompasses EITC Free Tax Preparation, SparkPoint Financial Coaching, and Bank On San Diego Coalition. The organization also facilitates corporate engagement programs including Workplace Giving, Corporate Volunteerism, and Corporate Partnerships, as well as affinity groups (Leaders United, Women United, Tocqueville Society) for individual philanthropists. Supporting programs include Planned Giving/Estate Planning, Stock Donation, and the VITA Volunteer Program for tax preparation assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• United for Literacy: Early childhood literacy initiative aiming to equip every child with the literacy skills they need to thrive.
• STEAM-to-Careers
• Dream with STEAM
• SparkPoint
• Bank On San Diego
• San Diego County EITC Coalition
• Leaders United
• Women United
• Tocqueville Society
• Legacy Circle

Products and services

• United for Literacy Early childhood literacy initiative delivering books, learning materials, and language-rich activities for children aged 3-8 in historically disinvested San Diego County communities, with the goal of third-grade reading proficiency.
• STEAM-to-Careers After-school and summer program exposing high school students in historically disinvested communities to high-paying careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics via mentorship, field trips, and educational awards.
• EITC Free Tax Preparation Coalition-led free tax filing service helping low- to moderate-income San Diego County residents claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits through 48+ community partner sites, delivered via IRS-certified VITA volunteers.
• SparkPoint Financial Coaching One-on-one financial coaching service helping low-income individuals and families achieve financial stability by setting and pursuing personalized goals around income, credit, savings, debt reduction, and basic needs.
• Bank On San Diego Coalition Coalition-led initiative expanding access to safe and affordable banking services for unbanked and underbanked populations in San Diego County, working with partner banks and credit unions.
• Workplace Giving Corporate workplace giving campaign platform that lets companies cultivate culture and enables employees to pledge donations via payroll deduction to support UWSD and other participating nonprofits.
• Corporate Volunteerism Corporate volunteer program offering Day of Service, Special Events, and Year-Round Engagement options so employees can dedicate time and talents to community volunteer activities in San Diego.
• VITA Volunteer Program Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that trains IRS-certified volunteers to provide free tax preparation and ensure low- and middle-income individuals claim valuable credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Leaders United Cross-generational network of San Diego County professionals that comes together for networking, professional growth, and community impact, requiring a minimum annual gift of $350.
• Women United Women's philanthropic community of San Diego County driven by dedication to uplifting women and children, requiring a minimum annual contribution of $1,000 to the Women United Fund.
• Tocqueville Society Philanthropic group established in 1987 for San Diego County changemakers shaping a brighter future for children, individuals, and families, requiring a minimum annual contribution of $10,000.
• Planned Giving (Legacy Circle) Legacy giving program that allows donors to include UWSD in their wills, trusts, or estate plans via Charitable Gift Annuities, Retirement Plan Beneficiary designations, Remainder Trusts, Bequests, Real Estate, and Life Insurance.
• Stock Donation Program enabling donors to contribute long-term appreciated stocks directly to UWSD to avoid capital gains taxes while supporting the organization with the full donation value.

Quantifiable outcome

• 51,633 lives impacted annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Design 39minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Fifth-grade students at Design 39 participate in campaigns to help children learn to love reading, supporting United for Literacy mission.
• SparkPoint PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SparkPoint is a collaboration of multiple nonprofits and financial entities working together in single locations to provide integrated financial services. Partners include Core6, Logan Heights CDC, North County Lifeline, Operation HOPE, Interfaith Shelter Network, and Lifeline Community Services. UWSD serves as the backbone organization providing data/evaluation, project development, partnership management, advocacy, outreach, and funding.
• STEAM-to-Careers PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022STEAM-to-Careers partners include SeaWorld San Diego, UCSD Health, UCSD, BD, Booz Allen Hamilton, Cubic, Dr Bronner's, Escondido High School, Girls Inc, Hands On Technology, Illumina, Junior Achievement, Kura Oncology, Lincoln High School, Maverick, MAAC, Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee, Point Loma Companies, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, San Diego Safari Park, San Diego Workforce Partnership, SDG&E, Fleet Science Center, Escondido Education COMPACT, CREATE, IRC, and others. Partners provide career exposure, mentorship, field trips, and educational awards.
• Escondido Education COMPACTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnering since 2021 to help families cross the digital divide through United Way's Digital Divide Grant. Recently partnered to facilitate healthcare careers class for STEAM-to-Careers initiative.
• San Diego County EITC Coalition (48+ Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWSD leads the EITC Coalition comprising over 48 community partner organizations dedicated to assisting low- to moderate-income individuals and families file taxes for free. Partners include United Women of East Africa, Vista Community Clinic, Access, Inc., Alliance for African Assistance, Blue Casa Familiar, Casa de Espiran, City Heights CDC, San Diego Community College District, San Diego County Library, Southwestern College, and many others. The Coalition has filed 47,581 returns in 2025, returning $34.3 million+ to San Diego County.
• Bank On San Diego CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWSD leads Bank On San Diego, a partnership between local government agencies, financial institutions, and community organizations expanding access to safe and affordable financial services. Partner banks include Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, US Bank, Union Bank, Citibank, BBVA, Credit Union West, Mission 50, San Diego County Credit Union, Mission Federal Credit Union,涂层Quust Federal Credit Union, and others.
• United for Literacy PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiteracy initiative partners include Words Alive, SD Public Library, SD Council on Literacy, READ San Diego, Promise Zone, Guitars in the Classroom, San Diego Public Library Foundation, City of SD Office of Child and Youth Success. Partners provide early literacy support, books, and language-rich activities for children ages 3-8 in disinvested communities.
• Paving Great Futures (Core 6)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering for 2 years on STEAM-to-Careers after-school program at Lincoln High School. Core 6 provides arts programming and community resources, enhancing organizational ability to address community needs.
• Fleet Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering for almost 3 years on Level Up programming at YMCA and STEAM-to-Careers at Lincoln and Escondido High Schools. Fleet Science Center provides STEM activities and career exposure aligned with their mission to connect everyone to the power of science.
• YMCA Childcare Resource ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner providing essential tax assistance to families and promoting Child Tax Credit. YMCA CRS helps families achieve financial stability and access vital resources.
• Dreams for ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver two decades of collaboration addressing immediate financial challenges and fostering lasting change. Partnership helps reach deeper into communities and provide vital support to San Diegans in need.
• Corporate Partners (Workplace Giving)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partners include Navy Federal, PCL Construction, Holman Enterprises, Enterprise Holdings, Exact Sciences, Alaska Airlines, Kirei, Regency Centers, Wawanesa, Solar Turbines, Lilly, AT&T, UC San Diego, GD NASSCO. Partners engage employees through workplace giving campaigns and volunteer opportunities, enhancing brand reputation and community impact.
• San Diego Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBC 7 News highlighted partnership where UWSD and SD Public Library help students stay on track during summer. Library provides summer reading programs and book distribution supporting United for Literacy initiative.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Another large Southern California United Way affiliate serving a major metro region with similar education, economic mobility, and housing programs. Operates the same community impact model with workplace giving, EITC, and coalition-based service delivery.
• United Way of New York City: One of the largest US United Way affiliates, running similar Earned Income Tax Credit coalitions, workforce development, and education initiatives in a major metro. Scale benchmark for what a mature UW affiliate can look like.
• Tipping Point Community: Bay Area anti-poverty nonprofit formerly affiliated with United Way; now runs direct anti-poverty grants with similar donor/funder base. Comparable mission (ending poverty through coordinated investment) with newer operating model.
• United Way Bay Area: Northern California United Way affiliate historically running EITC/free tax prep, financial coaching, and education programs under the same United Way federation model. Directly comparable in operating structure and donor base logic.
• San Diego Foundation: San Diego's largest community foundation, also distributing philanthropic dollars across the same region for education and equity causes. Same geography, same donor pool, same grantee network, but operating as a pass-through foundation rather than direct-service coalition.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding San Diego: San Diego's largest food bank addressing economic security in the same low/moderate-income population UWSD serves through EITC and SparkPoint. Same donor and corporate partner universe, same regional philanthropy ecosystem.
• YMCA of San Diego County: Long-standing San Diego nonprofit operating youth education, financial assistance, and childcare programs, often in partnership with UWSD on tax assistance and digital divide work. Operates same community/education footprint but as a national federation affiliate.
• 211 San Diego: San Diego's information and referral hub for health and social services. A listed UWSD partner/funder that plays a complementary role in connecting residents to the very programs UWSD funds - high overlap in served population but different operating model.

Emerging players

• International Rescue Committee (San Diego): Listed UWSD STEAM-to-Careers partner that runs workforce programs for refugees/immigrants in San Diego - the same economic mobility target population UWSD serves. Provides a benchmark for outcome-funded refugee employment programs.
• San Diego Workforce Partnership: San Diego's workforce development administrator, listed as a UWSD STEAM-to-Careers partner. Runs regional workforce funding that complements UWSD's career exposure programs - comparable mission (workforce entry for disinvested youth) but operates as a public-sector administrator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UnitedWaySD
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UWSD1
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwaysd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/368894/admin
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaysd
• TikToktiktok.com/@unitedwaysd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 San Diego County