United Way of Martin County

What United Way of Martin County does

United Way of Martin County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, founded in 1956 and headquartered at 10 SE Central Parkway, Suite 101, Stuart, Florida. The organization operates as a community convener and funding intermediary for Martin County, addressing three primary impact areas — Education, Health, and Financial Security — alongside a Disaster Center. In 2024 it granted $2,009,949 to 44+ local social service programs through a volunteer-driven citizen review process, with the breadth of funded programs serving as its primary distribution mechanism rather than direct service delivery by United Way staff.

Its core product portfolio spans community programs rather than technology products. The flagship is Ride United, launched in 2022, which delivers on-demand Lyft rides to residents via 30+ participating agencies (healthcare, workforce, education, social services) and has logged 6,680+ rides since launch. Other programs include the United Way Holiday Project (17,605 toys gifted in 2024), Born Learning Trail, VITA free tax preparation, Home Sharing, Discounted Prescriptions, Financial Assistance, food pantries, and the 211 Helpline (24/7/365). Disaster response is coordinated through the Martin Interagency Network for Disasters (MIND), of which the CEO serves as Board Chair. The technology stack is light: integration with Lyft's ride-hailing platform via SMS-activated ride links; no proprietary software, APIs, or AI capabilities are disclosed.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit funding engine: individual donations (one-time, monthly, IRA/QCD, stock, crypto, planned giving), workplace giving campaigns (Seacoast Bank serves as 2024-2025 Campaign Chair), corporate sponsorships tied to impact areas, and foundation grants — including from United Way Worldwide and the wholly-owned United Way of Martin County Foundation, which manages endowment and legacy gifts. The organization holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and is part of the national United Way Worldwide network, while remaining independently governed by a local Board of Directors (Board Chair: Elliot Paul; President & CEO: Carol Houwaart-Diez).

Name

United Way of Martin County

Legal name

United Way of Martin County

Website

https://unitedwaymartin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of Martin County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and coordinates 44+ local social service programs in education, health, financial security, and disaster response for Martin County, Florida residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Disaster Recovery & Emergency Housing Assistance Programs (FSALAKAK)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Disaster response coordination
• Community health programs
• Education support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuart

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through various giving methods including one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, IRA/QCD qualified charitable distributions, stock gifts, cryptocurrency, and planned giving/estate planning.
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Corporate workplace campaigns where employers facilitate employee giving through payroll deductions, a common United Way giving mechanism.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support specific programs and events (e.g., Ride United sponsors, impact area sponsors for Education, Health, Financial Security).
4. Foundation Grants: Funding from the United Way of Martin County Foundation and other foundations to support community programs and disaster recovery efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Way of Martin County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to support community programs in education, health, financial stability, and disaster response throughout Martin County, Florida. The organization operates as a community convener, funding partner agencies, and directly delivering services such as transportation (Ride United), tax preparation (VITA), and emergency assistance to vulnerable residents including seniors, children, and low-income families.

Product overview

United Way of Martin County operates as a community nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of social service programs rather than a technology product. The core offerings include transportation assistance (Ride United), disaster response coordination, holiday assistance, financial stability programs, food security, and youth/education support. The organization serves as a convener and funder of local nonprofit programs, with the Community Impact Fund serving as the central funding vehicle. Programs are delivered through partnerships with over 44 local agencies rather than as a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ride United: Transportation assistance program providing on-demand Lyft rides for Martin County residents to access education, employment, healthcare, and other critical services.
• United Way Foundation
• Born Learning Trail
• Holiday Project
• United Way of Martin County Foundation

Products and services

• Ride United
• Disaster Resource Center
• Born Learning Trail
• United Way Holiday Project
• Tax Preparation Assistance (VITA)
• Students United
• Leaders United
• Tocqueville Society
• 211 Helpline Referral Service
• ALICE Population Data and Research
• Poverty Simulator
• Community Impact Fund
• Discounted Prescriptions Program
• Home Sharing Program
• Food Pantries and Meal Sites Coordination

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,680+ rides provided through Ride United since 2022, eliminating transportation from top 10 unmet needs in Martin County
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Seacoast BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Financial Security impact area. Chuck Shaffer, President & CEO, serves as 2024-2025 Campaign Chair. Seacoast Bank associates participate in workplace giving campaigns and view United Way as an investment in communities they serve.
• Treasure Coast Urgent CarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth impact sponsor for United Way. Provides support for health-related community programs and initiatives.
• FPL/Nextera EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation impact sponsor. Corporate partner supporting educational programs and initiatives in the community.
• LyftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner providing ride-sharing services for the Ride United transportation program. Lyft drivers are employed by Lyft, not United Way, and provide on-demand transportation for Martin County residents accessing education, employment, healthcare, and other critical services.
• Cleveland Clinic Martin North Cancer CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program, referring cancer patients for transportation to treatment appointments. One of 30+ agency partners providing referrals and scheduling assistance.
• PublixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRide United sponsor supporting the transportation program through corporate sponsorship.
• Community Foundation Martin-St. LuciecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United sponsor and key disaster response partner. Co-sponsors programs and collaborates on community initiatives including disaster recovery efforts following hurricanes and tornadoes.
• House of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner in disaster response and ongoing social services. Received $20,000 investment from United Way for expanded pantry services during federal budget cuts. Provides food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance and case management.
• Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner receiving Live United Award for collaboration during crisis. Provides emergency assistance, transitional housing (Compassion House), and case management services.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response partner receiving Live United Award. Provides housing repairs and rebuilding support for families affected by disasters.
• Council on Aging of Martin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived $20,000 investment to ensure seniors on fixed incomes continue to have access to food and basic necessities during federal budget cuts. Provides care and services to seniors to improve quality of life.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolely funds the MIND Program Coordinator position. Partner in disaster response and recovery efforts through the Martin Interagency Network for Disasters (MIND).
• Martin County Emergency Operations CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner that selected United Way as the central hub for disaster recovery efforts. Collaborates on emergency preparedness and response coordination.
• Martin Interagency Network for Disasters (MIND)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way serves as Board Chair of MIND, a collaboration uniting local nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations to support disaster recovery. MIND leadership includes representatives from various partner organizations.
• ARC of the Treasure CoastminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program providing transportation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• CareerSource Research CoastminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program referring clients for transportation to employment opportunities and workforce development services.
• Martin County School DistrictminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program and partner in education initiatives including First Grade Summer Reading Camp and Born Learning Trail.
• SafeSpaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program providing services to victims of domestic violence and their children.
• Volunteers in Medicine (VIM)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program providing free healthcare for those who have no access to care.
• Tykes & TeensminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating agency in Ride United program and provider of YES program for teens struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The national umbrella organization of which United Way of Martin County is an independent affiliate. Directly comparable as the parent brand operating the federated network and shared standards.
• American Red Cross (Treasure Coast / Central Florida): National disaster-response organization that solely funds UWMC's MIND Coordinator and is a core MIND partner. Overlapping regional disaster coordination mandate with shared funding sources.
• Volunteers of America (Florida): National nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and community services in Florida. Comparable service portfolio including disaster recovery, housing stability, and senior support.

Direct peers

• Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie: Local community foundation that co-sponsors Ride United and partners on disaster recovery with UWMC in the same Treasure Coast geography. Functions as a parallel convener/funder of regional nonprofits.
• Salvation Army of Martin County: Direct service partner via Compassion House transitional housing for women/children. Operates the emergency assistance, shelter, and case management functions parallel to UWMC's financial stability programs.
• Council on Aging of Martin County: Receives UWMC funding ($20K in 2024) for senior nutrition and basic needs. A direct service nonprofit in the same county funded by similar donor and grant pools.
• United Way of Palm Beach County: Neighboring United Way affiliate in Southeast Florida. Structurally identical operating model (donor cultivation, agency grantmaking, ALICE research) and the closest peer in scale and programs.
• Meals on Wheels of Martin County: UWMC-funded home-delivered meal provider for homebound seniors. Direct service peer operating in the same county and target demographic with shared funding model.
• House of Hope (Martin County): UWMC-funded food pantry and emergency assistance provider in Martin County. Closely comparable direct-service nonprofit with overlapping donor base and grant dependencies.
• Habitat for Humanity of Martin County: UWMC's named disaster recovery and housing partner; delivers housing repairs and rebuilding in the same county. Comparable nonprofit model centered on community resilience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwaymartin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwaymartin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Martin County