United Way of Lincoln County

What United Way of Lincoln County does

United Way of Lincoln County (UWLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1957 (originally as United Fund, rebranded to United Way in 1987) and headquartered in Lincolnton, North Carolina. It serves as the community's centralized convener and resource hub, operating four core programs — the 2-1-1 helpline, emergency hardship assistance, the Asbury Resource Center (ARC, established 2017), and the West Lincoln Resource Center satellite (established 2020 at West Lincoln Middle School) — along with community events such as Day of Caring, Stuff the Bus, and the Christmas Gala, and youth/affinity programs including NextGen United, Young Professionals United, and Retirees United. The organization distributes funds through a network of 14+ funded partner agencies spanning healthcare, housing, education, senior services, and crisis advocacy, including Kintegra Health, VIA Health, Hesed House of Hope, Lincoln County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Communities in Schools of Lincoln County.

UWLC's revenue model is donations-based, relying on individual donations, workplace giving campaigns with major Lincoln County employers (The Timken Company, Atrium Health Lincoln, Duke Energy, Lincoln County Schools, Lincoln County Government, Lowe's), grants, corporate sponsorships, and signature event fundraising. The most recent disclosed campaign total is $449,988, with corporate gifts up to $262,150 (Timken Company, 2025) and $100,000 (Green New Energy Materials, 2026) demonstrating capital campaign capacity. The organization is governed by an independent volunteer board, holds three paid staff (Executive Director Alisha Friday, Finance Administrator Tammy Dotson, Communications & Community Impact Coordinator Faith Barnes-Martin), and operates under the broader United Way network while maintaining local governance. UWLC functions as a community foundation rather than a technology-driven entity, with no proprietary technology systems and reliance on PayPal for online donations and Constant Contact for email outreach.

Name

United Way of Lincoln County

Legal name

United Way of Lincoln County

Website

https://unitedwayoflincolncounty.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Lincoln County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community hub that connects Lincoln County, NC residents to health, education, and crisis services through workplace giving, donations, and a network of 14+ funded partner agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Emergency hardship assistance
• Community resource coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincolnton, North Carolina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Personal donations from community members supporting local programs and services
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Annual workplace campaigns where local businesses, schools, and organizations raise funds through employee giving programs. All money raised stays in Lincoln County.
3. Corporate Sponsorships & Grants: Corporate gifts such as the $100K from Green New Energy Materials, plus grants from various organizations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Way of Lincoln County is a community-based nonprofit that raises funds through individual donations, workplace giving campaigns, and corporate grants, then deploys those resources across Lincoln County, NC through a network of funded partner agencies and direct-service programs. Its direct offerings include the 2-1-1 helpline for resource referrals, emergency hardship financial assistance, two physical resource centers (Asbury Resource Center and West Lincoln Resource Center) providing clothing and food, community volunteer events (Day of Caring, Stuff the Bus, Christmas Gala), and youth/professional affinity groups.

Product overview

United Way of Lincoln County is a nonprofit community service organization that operates as a centralized hub connecting Lincoln County residents to essential resources and support services. The organization functions as a community foundation rather than a technology product company, offering a portfolio of direct service programs including the 211 resource helpline, emergency hardship assistance, two resource centers (Asbury Resource Center and West Lincoln Resource Center), community events (Day of Caring, Stuff the Bus, Christmas Gala), youth engagement programs (NextGen United), and workforce development (internship program). The organization also manages a competitive grant process through its Agency Portal for funding local nonprofit partners and provides community data resources to inform decision-making.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NextGen United: An extracurricular club open to all high school students across Lincoln County that focuses on community action and social responsibility, teaching students to develop social responsibility, professionalism, and accountability.
• Young Professionals United
• Retirees United
• Lincoln County Community Collective
• Asbury Resource Center (ARC)
• West Lincoln Resource Center

Products and services

• 2-1-1 Helpline for Resources
• Hardship Assistance (Emergency Funding)
• Asbury Resource Center (ARC)
• West Lincoln Resource Center
• Day of Caring
• Stuff the Bus
• NextGen United
• Young Professionals United
• Retirees United

Quantifiable outcome

• 90+ aging adults served through caregiving services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Atrium Health LincolncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey workplace partner raising funds through employee campaigns. Collaborated with UWLC on Stuff the Bus campaign and other community initiatives.
• Duke EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace partner with annual giving campaign. Duke Energy coordinates annual giving campaigns and provides support for community events including Day of Action.
• Lincoln County SchoolscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace partner and key collaborator on Stuff the Bus school supply drive and resource center initiatives.
• Lincoln County GovernmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace partner participating in annual giving campaigns and supporting community initiatives.
• Lincoln County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with UWLC and Atrium Health to conduct the Community Health Assessment (CHA), identifying top priorities: access to transportation, behavioral health support, and affordable childcare.
• Lincoln County Family YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded partner and collaborative organization for community wellness programs including Community Wellness on the Square.
• Communities in Schools of Lincoln CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded partner operating dropout prevention programs in middle schools. Hosts office at Oaklawn Community Center.
• Kintegra HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Helping Hands Health Clinic; only low-cost medical clinic in Lincoln County offering prescription support program.
• Hesed House of Hope, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln County's cold weather emergency shelter for the homeless, providing critical housing services.
• VIA HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Hospice and Palliative Care of Lincoln County; provides end-of-life care, grief counseling, and support 365 days a year.
• Lincoln County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCCADV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Amy’s House shelter for domestic violence victims and Amy’s Closet stores in Lincolnton and Denver.
• Lincoln County Senior ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnhances quality of life for older adults and promotes participation in community aspects.
• Special Olympics of Lincoln CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers sports training for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Salem Industries (Gaston Skills, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers vocational training for adults with developmental disabilities.
• Shining Hope FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnables children and adults to reach full potential through equine assisted activities and therapies.
• Sally's YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusive organization in Denver, NC with shared commitment to nurturing potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility.
• Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse (LCCACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks to prevent child abuse in Lincoln County, educates the public, and advocates for victims.
• Journey of Hope MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocates for chronically unsheltered and homeless, assists those at risk of homelessness with rental/food assistance and financial literacy.
• A Place To Grow (ComServ, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusive center-based program for children 1-5 years with developmental disabilities.
• YMCAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Community Wellness on the Square event, collaborating with local run groups and community organizations to build a healthier, more connected Lincoln County.
• Lowe'smajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey donor through Lowe’s Heroes Program providing supplies, volunteering, and funding for Day of Action projects including West Lincoln Resource Center setup.
• PublixcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace partner donating store re-model shelving units for food distribution centers.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Catawba County: A neighboring United Way affiliate serving Catawba County, NC. Operates the same community-foundation/convener model with workplace campaigns, partner agency funding, and 211-style resource coordination — making it the closest functional peer.
• United Way of Rutherford County: Another small NC United Way affiliate in a similarly sized rural county with workplace giving, partner agency funding, and emergency assistance as core activities.
• United Way of Cleveland County: A small, single-county NC United Way affiliate with comparable scale, structure (workplace campaigns + funded partners), and rural-to-suburban service profile.
• United Way of Gaston County: An adjacent county United Way in the Charlotte metro region running the same model of workplace giving, funded partner agencies, and emergency assistance. Directly comparable in scale and operating geography.
• United Way of Iredell County: Another nearby United Way affiliate in NC running workplace giving campaigns and funding local partner agencies for health, education, and financial stability programs.
• United Way of Burke County: A small NC United Way affiliate operating in a similarly sized county with workplace giving and partner agency funding as core activities. Directly comparable in scope.

Broad incumbents

• Foundation for the Carolinas: A major regional community foundation serving the Charlotte region including Lincoln County-adjacent areas. Comparable as a donor-advised and grantmaking organization, though operating at a much larger scale.
• United Way Worldwide: The global federation of which UWLC is an independently governed affiliate. Provides brand standards, network access, and the 211 infrastructure UWLC leverages.
• United Way of North Carolina: The statewide umbrella organization representing local United Way affiliates across NC. Sets membership standards, provides brand and advocacy support, and awarded UWLC's 2026 Make it Matter Award.

Regional players

• United Way of the Carolinas: A regional United Way covering parts of the Carolinas with a broader footprint than UWLC, operating many of the same workplace giving and partner funding programs at a larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-lincoln-county

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Lincoln County