United Way Of The Adirondack Region

What United Way Of The Adirondack Region does

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1949 and headquartered at 45 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh, New York, with additional offices in Elizabethtown and Malone. It serves as the central fundraising and human-services convener for Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties in the Adirondack Region, mobilizing individual donors, state employees via the SEFA (State Employees Federated Appeal) payroll-deduction program, corporate contributors such as KeyBank Foundation, and planned-giving estates to fund a network of more than 30 partner nonprofit agencies spanning housing, mental health, youth development, literacy, veterans services, and substance abuse treatment. The organization's core product offerings include the annual United We Thrive fundraising campaign, 2-1-1 information and referral services, a Nonprofit Resource Center, the ALICE household support initiative, VOAD-ADK disaster preparedness coordination, free tax preparation (EITC), FamilyWize prescription savings, and a Regional Volunteer Center.

The underlying technology stack is conventional nonprofit infrastructure: a website at unitedwayadk.org with a Givebutter.com integration for one-time and recurring online donations, the standard SEFA payroll-deduction processing rails for state employees across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties, and the 211ny4regions.communityos.org platform for community information and referrals. There is no proprietary technology, no AI/ML capability, no mobile app, and no third-party API integrations disclosed. The organization publishes an IRS Form 990 and a financial statement online as transparency instruments.

The revenue model is entirely donation-based with no commercial pricing. Three streams dominate: (1) annual campaign donations and recurring pledges via the United We Thrive campaign; (2) SEFA payroll-deduction contributions administered as fiduciary for state employees in four counties; and (3) planned-giving / estate commitments. Go-to-market is community-led, anchored by an in-person office footprint across three counties, a multi-channel social presence (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube), email/newsletter communications, annual community events (e.g., the 2026 golf tournament at Malone Golf Club on June 16, 2026), and partner-agency referrals. Operational leadership sits with President & CEO John C. Bernardi; governance is exercised by a volunteer Board of Directors with approximately 20 members and a small paid staff of roughly seven (comptroller, office coordinator, grant specialist, outreach specialist, marketing specialist, program assistant, plus the CEO).

Name

United Way Of The Adirondack Region

Legal name

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc.

Website

https://unitedwayadk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of the Adirondack Region is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1949 that raises and distributes charitable funds across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties in New York, coordinating more than 30 partner agencies to deliver health, housing, youth, and human-services programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fundraising and Human Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Nonprofit fundraising
• Community human services
• Charitable giving campaigns
• Payroll deduction giving
• Volunteer coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Plattsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Annual Campaign Donations: Primary revenue through annual United We Thrive fundraising campaign accepting one-time and recurring online donations as well as annual pledges that can be fulfilled through payroll, scheduled payments, or mailed forms.
2. SEFA Payroll Deductions: State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) allows state employees in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties to make charitable donations through payroll deductions to hundreds of local, state, national, and international nonprofit agencies.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy giving program allowing donors to include United Way in their estate planning for continued support beyond their lifetime.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. is a nonprofit voluntary fundraising and human service organization that mobilizes donations through annual campaigns, payroll deduction programs, and planned giving, then distributes those funds to a network of 30+ partner agencies delivering health and human service programs across Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties in New York. The organization also directly operates a 2-1-1 information and referral service, a Nonprofit Resource Center, volunteer coordination, disaster preparedness coordination, and free tax preparation assistance.

Product overview

United Way of the Adirondack Region operates as a nonprofit fundraising and human service organization serving Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties since 1949. The organization functions as a unified platform combining multiple community service programs: the annual United We Thrive fundraising campaign, 2-1-1 information and referral services, SEFA payroll giving administration, and a Nonprofit Resource Center. These core offerings are supported by specialized programs including ALICE education, volunteer coordination, disaster preparedness (VOAD-ADK), and free tax preparation services. Partner agency coordination connects residents to over 30 local nonprofits delivering health, housing, mental health, and family services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEFA (State Employees Federated Appeal): A fundraising program for state employees in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton Counties, allowing payroll deductions for donations to nonprofit agencies.
• ALICE

Products and services

• United We Thrive Annual Fundraising Campaign Annual fundraising campaign that supports critical programs meeting urgent community needs, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for residents across Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties. The 2026 campaign is accepting one-time gifts, recurring donations, and annual pledges fulfilled through payroll deduction, scheduled payments, or mailed forms.
• 2-1-1 Information & Referral Services Community information and referral service connecting residents of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties to health and human service resources through the 211ny4regions community platform.
• State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) Payroll deduction giving program for New York State employees in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties, allowing donors to give to approved local, state, national, and international nonprofit agencies. United Way serves as the fiduciary agent for the program.
• Nonprofit Resource Center Support program providing guidance, training, and tools to local nonprofit organizations at every stage of growth to strengthen operations and increase community impact.
• Online Donation Processing Online donation and pledge management services enabling one-time or recurring contributions through the Givebutter.com portal, with options for payroll deduction, scheduled payments, or mailed forms.
• Partner Agency Coordination Program Program connecting and funding over 30 local nonprofit agencies including Adirondack Community Action Programs, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and behavioral health services to deliver health and human service programs across the Adirondack Region.
• ALICE Resource Program Education and support initiative helping communities understand and address the needs of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in the Adirondack Region.
• Regional Volunteer Center Coordination service connecting community members with volunteer opportunities across the Adirondack Region, including the RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) for adults 55+.
• Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance / Free Tax Preparation Free tax preparation services and information for eligible low-to-moderate income workers in the Adirondack Region through the My Free Tax Website.
• SingleCare/FamilyWize Prescription Savings Prescription discount card program helping residents access reduced-cost medications through the FamilyWize card.
• VOAD-ADK Disaster Preparedness Disaster preparedness, response, and recovery coordination for Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties through the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters network.
• Planned Giving / Legacy Giving Program Legacy giving program allowing donors to include United Way of the Adirondack Region in their estate planning for continued support beyond their lifetime.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for efficiency, transparency, and impact
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers31 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACAP provides services for children, adults, seniors and families, connecting people, values and resources to promote personal, community and economic growth. Executive Director: Alan Jones. Located in Elizabethtown, NY.
• American Red Cross of Northeastern New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevents and alleviates human suffering in emergencies by mobilizing volunteers and donors. Regional Philanthropy Officer: Derek Dobson. Located in Albany, NY.
• Ausable Valley Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides affordable housing in Essex County for families in inadequate quarters, organizing volunteers and providing zero-interest loans. Director: Schelling McKinley. Located in Elizabethtown, NY.
• Behavioral Health Services North, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps children, families and adults with mental health, family violence, youth development, substance abuse prevention, education, and advocacy services. President & CEO: Katherine Cook. Located in Plattsburgh, NY.
• Boy Scouts of America, Twin Rivers CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrepares young people to be responsible citizens by instilling Scout Oath and Law values. Scout Executive/CEO: Greg Voyzey. Located in Albany, NY.
• Catholic Charities of Clinton, Essex & Franklin CountiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-service nonprofit serving 8 Northern Counties of New York, serving all people regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or ability to pay. Executive Director: Father Scott Seymour.
• Champlain Children's Learning CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit child care center serving approximately 120 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, complying with NYS OCFS regulations. Executive Director: Rebecca Filion. Located in Rouses Point, NY.
• Champlain Valley Family Center for Drug Treatment & Youth ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit outpatient substance abuse treatment and prevention agency licensed by OASAS. CEO: Constance Wille. Located in Plattsburgh, NY.
• Citizen Advocates, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading provider of developmental disability, mental health, addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services in Northern New York. CEO: James Button. Located in Malone, NY.
• Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilds girls of courage, confidence and character through leadership skill-building programs. CEO: Brenda Episcopo. Located in Plattsburgh, NY.
• Hospice of the North Country, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedicare/Medicaid certified home health care agency providing end-of-life care and 13 months bereavement support. Executive Director: Natalie Whitehurst. Located in Plattsburgh, NY.
• JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Action Agency providing Head Start in Clinton and Franklin Counties and variety of services. CEO: Nicole Laurin. Located in Plattsburgh, NY.
• Literacy Volunteers of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin CountiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowers residents to improve literacy skills through free one-to-one tutoring; partners with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Executive Director: Karen Dispo-De Boos.
• Mental Health Association in Essex County, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides support services, public education, Mobile Crisis, Respite, warm line, supported employment and housing services in Essex County. Executive Director: Valerie Ainsworth, LCSW-R.
• NAMI Champlain ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free education, advocacy, support, information and referral services for mental illness in Clinton County. Executive Director: Amanda Bulris-Allen.
• Plattsburgh/Malone YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity responsive organization providing membership and programs for all ages including aquatics, fitness, child care, camping, sports and seniors. CEO: Justin Ihne.
• Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarnesses volunteer skills of adults 55+ and places them in community organizations across Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties. Directors: Kate Gardner (Clinton), Vicki Sargent (Essex), Vivian Smith (Franklin).
• Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes independence and wellness for older individuals through wide variety of programs and services. Executive Director: Maria Alexander.
• United for ALICEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research organization providing data on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households. United Way serves as local resource for ALICE data and support in the Adirondack Region.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The national umbrella organization for the United Way network. Comparable as the parent brand and standards-setter for all local United Way affiliates, including United Way ADK, though it operates at a vastly larger scale and focuses on national campaigns and grantmaking.

Regional players

• The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties: A community foundation serving two central New York counties. Comparable as a regional grantmaking and capacity-building organization with similar rural upstate New York operating context.
• Vermont Community Foundation: A statewide community foundation in Vermont with similar grantmaking and community capacity-building functions. Comparable in mission and rural community focus, though operating across a larger geography than United Way ADK.
• United Way of Chittenden County: A small regional United Way affiliate serving Chittenden County, Vermont. Highly comparable in scale, structure, and rural community fundraising model, though operating in a different state.

Direct peers

• United Way of the Greater Capital Region: A larger regional United Way affiliate serving the Albany, New York capital region. Comparable business model (annual campaign, partner agencies, SEFA-style programs), but operating in a more urbanized and populous market than United Way ADK.
• Adirondack Foundation: A community foundation serving the Adirondack region of New York. Comparable as a geographically overlapping nonprofit that aggregates and deploys charitable capital across the same three-plus counties, though operating as a foundation rather than a federated campaign.
• Adirondack Community Trust: A community foundation serving the Adirondack region with donor-advised funds and grantmaking programs. Comparable as a geographically overlapping charitable capital aggregator, though structurally distinct from a federated United Way campaign.
• United Way of Northern New York: A neighboring regional United Way affiliate serving Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties in northern New York. Highly comparable in scope, structure, and SEFA fiduciary responsibilities as a small rural United Way affiliate.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh: An affiliate-level nonprofit housing organization similar in structure to the Ausable Valley Habitat for Humanity partner of United Way ADK. Comparable as a downstream recipient of United Way-style community fundraising dollars.
• American Red Cross of Northeastern New York: A partner agency of United Way ADK that also mobilizes volunteers and donors for emergency response across the same upstate New York region. Comparable as a co-located nonprofit ecosystem participant, not a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedwayadk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7Penq1FzrmkU1kWGdVQAQg
• Facebookfacebook.com/UWADK
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwayadk

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Way Of The Adirondack Region