United Way of Northwest Vermont

What United Way of Northwest Vermont does

United Way of Northwest Vermont is a regional nonprofit organization headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont, serving Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties. Formed on April 1, 2016 through the merger of United Way of Chittenden County and Franklin-Grand Isle United Way, the organization operates as an autonomous local affiliate of the United Way Worldwide network and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Its mission centers on mobilizing community resources across three impact areas: Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.

The organization runs a portfolio of interconnected programs. Working Bridges is a fee-for-service workforce program deploying on-site resource coordinators at 30+ employer partner sites (including UVM Health Network, Teknor Apex, Cabot Creamery, BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, and others) to connect employees with community resources. Common Good Vermont, integrated as a program in January 2021, is a statewide capacity-building platform for nonprofit organizations offering discounted tools, training, and networking. Bone Builders delivers volunteer-led strength training for older adults. Vermont 2-1-1 operates a 24/7 statewide information and referral helpline for human services. The Mental Health Initiative (2021-2025) and Prevention Network are multi-stakeholder collective impact efforts, with the organization holding a state-conferred designation as one of four Lead Prevention Organizations in Vermont.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: annual community fundraising campaigns, workplace payroll-deduction giving programs, leadership giving societies (Tocqueville $10K+, Pomeroy $1K+), planned giving, the 365 Small Business Circle, Working Bridges employer contracts, and state/foundation grants. The organization announced $715,500 in 2026 community partner funding to 28 local nonprofits and administered $647,000 in 2025 substance misuse prevention subgrants. The Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, launched in May 2025, raised $1M in its first year. United Way of Northwest Vermont has been recognized by Vermont Business Magazine as one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont for eight consecutive years (2019-2026).

Name

United Way of Northwest Vermont

Legal name

United Way of Northwest Vermont

Website

https://unitedwaynwvt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of Northwest Vermont is a regional nonprofit serving Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties in Vermont, mobilizing community resources through workplace giving, employer-based resource coordination (Working Bridges), nonprofit capacity building (Common Good Vermont), statewide referral helpline (Vermont 2-1-1), and grantmaking to 80+ local partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Community fundraising
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Human services referral
• Workforce resource coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

South Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Community Campaign Donations: Annual fundraising through community campaigns where workplace giving campaigns generate significant contributions. Every $1 donated returns $3.15 to the community through the power of collaboration.
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Businesses host workplace campaigns engaging employees through payroll deduction. United Way provides tools, resources, and campaign support to maximize participation.
3. Leadership Giving: Alexis de Tocqueville Society ($10,000+ annually) and Pomeroy Leadership Circle ($1,000+ annually) recognize major donors with structured giving tiers.
4. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, charitable gift annuities, retirement account beneficiaries, and stock gifts that provide long-term sustainable funding.
5. 365 Small Business Circle: Small business membership program with tiered sponsorship levels ($365, $1,095, $1,825 annually) providing recognition and community impact participation.
6. Community Funding: United Way invests $1.3 million annually in community funding to local organizations addressing key strategies including meeting basic needs, supporting families, promoting mental health, reducing substance misuse, and fostering financial stability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

United Way of Northwest Vermont is a community-mobilizing nonprofit that raises charitable funds through workplace giving campaigns, leadership giving, planned giving, and small business memberships, then deploys those resources across a portfolio of programs including the Working Bridges workforce resource coordination service, the Vermont 2-1-1 statewide helpline, the Common Good Vermont nonprofit support network, the Bone Builders senior exercise program, the Mental Health Initiative, and the Prevention Network for substance misuse prevention. The organization also distributes community partner funding grants to roughly 80 local nonprofit organizations.

Product overview

United Way of Northwest Vermont operates as a community services nonprofit offering multiple interconnected programs. Core programs include Working Bridges (workforce resource coordination), Common Good Vermont (nonprofit support network), Bone Builders (senior exercise program), and Vermont 2-1-1 (crisis helpline). Special initiatives focus on Mental Health and Prevention Network (substance misuse prevention). Community Funding distributes grants to 80+ local organizations. The 365 Small Business Circle engages local businesses in giving. Programs are designed to work collaboratively, with United Way serving as backbone organization convening nonprofits, government, and businesses around shared community goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Working Bridges An innovative workforce program that partners with employers to improve financial stability for workers while increasing productivity and retention. Connects employees with community resources through on-site resource coordinators and supports 1,620 individuals annually across Northern Vermont.
• Common Good Vermont A go-to resource for Vermont's mission-driven organizations to share resources, gain skills, and build partnerships. Offers membership with discounts on tools like GrantStation, Little Green Light, and MindEdge, plus professional development, networking, and advocacy workshops.
• Bone Builders A volunteer-driven exercise program designed to prevent and reverse osteoporosis effects, based on Tufts University research. Offers free twice-weekly strength training classes for adults 50+ in Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties to improve bone density, strength, and social connection.
• Vermont 2-1-1 A 24/7 statewide confidential information and referral helpline connecting callers to available human services including housing, bill paying, transportation, healthcare, child care, legal help, employment, mental health, and substance misuse support. Available from any phone.
• Community Partner Funding Annual community investment program distributing funds to local nonprofit organizations addressing key strategies: Meeting Basic Needs (Housing, Food, Transportation), Supporting Families, Promoting Mental Health, Reducing Substance Misuse, and Fostering Financial Stability. Invested $1.3 million in community funding and $715,500 to 28 organizations in 2026.
• 365 Small Business Circle A small business giving membership program starting at $1/day that allows local businesses to demonstrate community commitment. Offers tiered annual sponsorship levels: Partner ($365), Plus Partner ($1,095), and Leader ($1,825) with recognition benefits including logo placement, social media recognition, newsletter features, and Small Business Spotlight features.
• Mental Health Initiative A multi-year collective impact project that improved Vermonters' timely access to appropriate mental health services. Included Mental Health First Aid training expansion that more than doubled trainers in Vermont, employer mental health toolkits, and convening of mental health service providers.
• Prevention Network Northwest and Central Vermont Prevention Network unifying the region around holistic substance misuse prevention and wellbeing. United Way serves as Lead Prevention Organization for Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Washington counties, subgranting funds to 17 community partner organizations and serving over 5,000 people.
• Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund United Way administered fund supporting immigration legal services with grants to Vermont Asylum Assistance Project, AALV, Vermont Legal Aid, Vermont Afghan Alliance, Center for Justice Reform Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School, and Janet S. Munt Family Room. Supports 32 families through the Immigration Community Lawyering Initiative and expanded immigration legal services capacity from 2 to 13 service providers across 14 Vermont counties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every $1 donated returns $3.15 to the community through collaborative campaigns
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2025Primary recipient of Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund grants. Manages the Vermont Immigration Legal Services Roundtable partnership and leads the VLA-VAAP Immigration Community Lawyering Initiative. United Way serves as fiscal sponsor.
• AALV (formerly Association of Africans Living in Vermont)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2025Immigration legal services provider and funded partner. Received $188,700 grant from VILDF for attorney positions and administrative capacity.
• Vermont Legal AidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with VAAP on Immigration Community Lawyering Initiative marking VLA's first direct immigration legal service delivery. Provides representation through collaborative model.
• Vermont Afghan AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigration legal services provider in the Vermont legal defense network. Plans to host early-career immigration lawyer as part of expansion.
• Center for Justice Reform Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived $67,500 grant from VILDF. Provides law students for immigration legal services and clinical training.
• Janet S. Munt Family RoomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded partner providing support services. Part of the Vermont immigration legal defense network serving noncitizen families.
• 30+ Employer Partners (Working Bridges)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployers including UVM Health Network, Teknor Apex, Columbia Forest Products, Cabot Creamery, and others contract with Working Bridges for employee resource coordination services.
• Howard CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in Mental Health Initiative and Prevention Network. Provides direct mental health services and crisis intervention.
• Northwestern Counseling & Support ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services provider for Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Partner in Mental Health Initiative and Prevention Network. Also a Working Bridges employer partner.
• Spectrum Youth & Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mental Health Initiative providing youth mental health services and co-leading Youth Mental Health Connections Calls.
• NAMI VermontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mental Health Initiative providing free peer and family support groups and mental health resources.
• Vermont Suicide Prevention CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mental Health Initiative co-hosting the 2024 Suicide Prevention Symposium.
• University of Vermont Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental Health Initiative core team member and Working Bridges employer partner. Provided Mental Health Initiative funding.
• State of Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance UsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder and strategic partner designating United Way as Lead Prevention Organization. Provides Prevention Center of Excellence grant and Lead Prevention funding.
• Common Good Vermont MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont's mission-driven organizations accessing Common Good Vermont for resources, skills, and partnerships. Includes discounted tools from GrantStation, Little Green Light, MindEdge.
• 365 Small Business Circle MembersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmall businesses including Redstone, Runway Auto, Clear Spot, Fox Law, Burlington Telecom, Vermont Mortgage Company participating at Leader, Plus, and Partner levels.
• United Ways of VermontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent network providing training, support, and ability to draw on ideas and best practices from United Ways throughout the country. United Way pays dues to United Way Worldwide.
• KidSafe CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-led Youth Mental Health Connections Calls as part of Mental Health Initiative.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vermont Community Foundation: A statewide community foundation administering charitable funds and grants across Vermont. Comparable in grantmaking and community impact focus, with overlapping donor and grantee networks in the same Vermont philanthropic ecosystem, though operating under a foundation rather than federated model.
• United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley: A mid-sized regional United Way operating across multiple counties with workplace giving, community funding, and impact programs in a comparable size market. Useful benchmark for Working Bridges-style workforce program replication and revenue mix analysis.
• Green Mountain United Way: A regional United Way serving different Vermont counties with the same federated giving and community impact model. Both organizations operate under United Way Worldwide and share the same workplace giving, community funding, and impact area frameworks, while partnering on cross-county programs like Working Bridges.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The national umbrella organization that United Way of Northwest Vermont pays dues to and draws best practices from. Operates as the global network coordinator for over 1,000 local United Ways, providing training, branding, and standards.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley: A larger New England United Way operating across a more urbanized geography with similar workplace giving and community impact programs. Comparable in model and donor base, though at materially greater scale and complexity.
• Fidelity Charitable: The largest donor-advised fund sponsor in the US. Represents a structural alternative to traditional United Way giving, capturing donor dollars through DAFs rather than workplace campaigns, and a key competitive pressure on the federated giving model.

Regional players

• Maine Community Foundation: A statewide community foundation serving Maine with grantmaking and donor services comparable to Vermont Community Foundation. Operates in an adjacent New England geography with similar rural demographics and donor base characteristics.
• Vermont Foodbank: A statewide nonprofit operating in Vermont's social services ecosystem. While focused on food insecurity rather than general community funding, it shares the same Vermont donor base, state funding dependencies, and grantee relationships with United Way-funded partners.
• New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: A statewide community foundation in neighboring New Hampshire administering charitable funds, scholarships, and grants. Comparable in grantmaking scale, donor services, and community impact focus in a similar small-state rural context.
• United Way of Greater Portland (Maine): A similarly-sized regional United Way serving the Portland, Maine area with comparable workplace giving, community funding, and impact area models. Represents a peer for benchmarking regional fundraising performance and program structures in a New England context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bmaynes315/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwaynwvt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-northwest-vermont
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaynwvt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about United Way of Northwest Vermont