United Way of Southern Kentucky

What United Way of Southern Kentucky does

United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) is a 501(c)-style charitable nonprofit incorporated in 1956 and headquartered at 1110 College Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky. It serves as the regional convener, fundraiser, and grant-maker for the 10-county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD), channeling individual and corporate donations into four programmatic focus areas: Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net. The organization distributes more than $1 million annually to 16-19 partner nonprofit agencies operating 48-50 community programs across Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren counties.

UWSK's core operational assets are the Southern Kentucky 2-1-1 information-and-referral contact center, which operates 24/7/365 by phone (2-1-1 or 1-844-966-0906), text (898-211), and online (Navigate Resources database), and a portfolio of branded community programs including Day of Caring (~1,000 corporate volunteers annually), Feed the Need (1M+ food items collected since 2009), LIVE UNITED Awards, Retire United, Student United Way, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and Born Learning Trails. Technology is largely conventional: MobileCause for donation processing, Navigate Resources for 211 lookup, and Microsoft Forms for agency intake; there is no public API, SDK, or disclosed AI capability.

The organization is funded entirely through voluntary charitable contributions. Revenue streams include corporate workplace giving campaigns (with Top 10 rankings, Leadership Investment Awards, and Volunteer Investment Awards), individual donations including RETIRE UNITED recurring giving, designated disaster-recovery funds (Tornado Crisis and Recovery Fund, Bridge the Gap Program), and allocations from a volunteer-led community-investment process involving 92-97 community volunteers across the 10 counties. Major corporate partners include Houchens Industries, Logan Aluminum, Fruit of the Loom, General Motors/UAW Local 2164, Warren RECC, U.S. Bank, and the City of Bowling Green. There is no parent company, no venture or equity ownership, and no disclosed audited financial figures in the available data.

Name

United Way of Southern Kentucky

Legal name

United Way of Southern Kentucky

Website

https://uwsk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Southern Kentucky is a 1956-founded Bowling Green nonprofit that convenes donations, distributes over $1M annually to 16-19 partner agencies, and operates 24/7 2-1-1 referral, Day of Caring, and Feed the Need programs across a 10-county BRADD region in Kentucky.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

Keywords

• Community fundraising
• Human services referral
• Nonprofit resource coordination
• Disaster recovery assistance
• Volunteer mobilization

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowling Green

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Workplace Giving Campaigns: Annual workplace giving campaigns where companies and their employees contribute to United Way. Corporate and employee giving combined determines organizational rankings and recognition (Top 10 Campaigns, Leadership Investment Awards).
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals, including monthly credit/debit card deductions through RETIRE UNITED program and one-time gifts.
3. Disaster Recovery Funds: Designated funds for community recovery efforts (Tornado Crisis and Recovery Fund, Bridge the Gap Program) receiving contributions from local companies, individuals, and national donors.
4. Community Impact Investments: The organization distributes funds to partner nonprofit agencies through a volunteer-led allocations process. Investment amounts range from $585,000 to over $1 million annually across the 10-county region.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way of Southern Kentucky is a community-impact nonprofit that mobilizes charitable donations and volunteers to fund and coordinate human services across the 10-county BRADD region of Southern Kentucky. It invests over $1 million annually in partner nonprofit programs in four focus areas (Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net) and operates the 24/7 Southern Kentucky 2-1-1 information and referral service connecting residents to local health and human services resources.

Product overview

United Way of Southern Kentucky operates as a community impact nonprofit organization rather than a technology product company. Its portfolio consists of social service programs organized around four strategic focus areas: Education, Income, Health, and Safety Net. Core programs include the 2-1-1 Information & Referral Service (24/7 phone/text resource hotline), Feed the Need (annual food drive), Day of Caring (corporate volunteer events), LIVE UNITED Awards (annual recognition ceremony), and Retire United/Student United Way (demographic-specific volunteer programs). The organization also administers Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (early literacy), Born Learning Trails (outdoor learning), and Community Impact Investments (strategic grants to local nonprofits). Special initiatives include the Tornado Crisis and Recovery Fund for December 2021 tornado relief. These programs function independently rather than as an integrated platform, with no unified software product connecting them.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2-1-1 Information & Referral Service Free, confidential 24/7 information and referral service connecting callers across the 10-county BRADD region to local health and human service resources. Available by phone (dial 2-1-1 or 1-844-966-0906), text (898-211), and online resource search via Navigate Resources.
• Feed the Need Food Drive Annual regional food drive engaging 75+ organizations to collect nonperishable food items for distribution to food pantries across Allen, Barren, Butler, Hart, Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties. Over 1 million items collected since inception.
• Day of Caring

Quantifiable outcome

• 211 service connects 8,000-9,000+ callers annually to resources, providing 15,000-20,000+ agency referrals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Houchens Industries, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate partner and founding sponsor of the Bridge the Gap tornado recovery program with $1,000,000 goal. Houchens has been community-focused since 1917 and partners with United Way on multiple initiatives including workplace giving campaigns and disaster recovery.
• Logan AluminumcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConsistently ranked among Top 10 campaigns for workplace giving. Logan Aluminum employees demonstrate high volunteer participation and leadership giving. Partnership includes both financial contributions and employee volunteer engagement.
• Fruit of the Loom, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop corporate partner with consistent presence in Top 10 campaigns and high employee volunteer participation. Major donor to tornado recovery efforts and annual workplace campaigns.
• General Motors & UAW Local 2164coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate partnership with combined corporate and employee giving, consistently ranked in Top 10 campaigns with significant volunteer engagement.
• Trace Die CastmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerConsistently ranked among Top 10 campaigns with strong workplace giving program and employee volunteer participation in United Way initiatives.
• Warren County Water DistrictmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpirit United Award winner demonstrating year-round Live United support. Consistent Top 10 campaign participant with strong community engagement.
• Warren RECCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerConsistently ranked in Top 10 campaigns with strong employee giving and volunteer participation.
• Houchens Insurance GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Investment Award winner for most leadership dollars from employees. Major donor to tornado recovery Bridge the Gap program. Consistent Top 10 campaign participant.
• The Murphy Construction GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership Investment Award winner for organizations with fewer than 100 employees. Consistent Top 10 campaign participant.
• U.S. BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerConsistently ranked among Top 10 campaigns (Area Wide category) with strong workplace giving program.
• FORVISmajorGTM or Marketing Partner2024 LIVE UNITED Award winner and Volunteer Investment Award recipient demonstrating excellence in employee volunteer engagement.
• City of Bowling GreenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner participating in workplace giving campaigns, recipient of 2024 LIVE UNITED Award, and co-issuer of 211 Day proclamations.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor tornado recovery partner receiving $1,150,000 investment for affordable housing construction and storm shelters. Partnership for constructing 10 units for tornado-impacted individuals plus 20 additional affordable homes.
• Housing Authority of Bowling GreencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTornado recovery partner receiving $750,000 investment for construction of 6 single-family homes for tornado-affected residents.
• Kentucky Legal AidcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKey partner agency receiving funding for multiple programs including Benefits Counseling, Emergency Legal Assistance, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and ESCAPE crisis services across Education, Health, and Safety Net categories.
• BRASS Inc. (Barren River Area Safe Space)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner agency receiving funding for Emergency Shelter & Crisis to Protect & Empower (ESCAPE) program and Shelter Transportation Assistance Program.
• Warren County SchoolscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor education partner receiving funding for Little Learners Mobile Classroom, College/Career Transition Readiness, and Kindergarten Readiness Summer Academy programs.
• Refuge Bowling GreencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner agency providing English Academy, Driver's Education, and workforce integration services. Recognized for tornado case management and assisting refugee families including the Shooting Star Award nominees.
• Boys & Girls Club of Bowling GreencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation partner receiving funding for The CLUB Teen Center - CAREER LAUNCH program supporting college and career readiness.
• SKYCTC FoundationmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorkforce development partner receiving funding for CDL Program and GED Finish Line Program supporting income/employment outcomes.
• WROTE FoundationmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation partner receiving funding for Bridging the Gap After-School/Summer Enrichment Program supporting academic success.
• Family Enrichment CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEarly childhood education partner receiving funding for Little Bobcat Learners Program and Wee Care Child Care Center, recognized for Kindergarten Readiness impact.
• HOTEL INCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner agency receiving funding for homeless and housing services, Street Medicine program, and support for tornado recovery efforts.
• The Foundry Christian Community CentermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation partner receiving funding for Preschool Academy program, Community Impact Partnership Award recipient.
• J.M. Smucker CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner consistently ranked in Top 10 campaigns for workplace giving.
• Georgia PacificmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner ranked #1 in 2022 Top 10 campaigns with significant workplace giving and employee engagement.
• Barren River Child Advocacy CentermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHealth partner receiving funding for Trauma Focused Mental Health Therapy program.
• Hill's Pet NutritionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving Give Award for donation increases, demonstrating community commitment through workplace giving.
• Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College (SKYCTC)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation partner and Volunteer Investment Award recipient with workforce development programming through SKYCTC Foundation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization for the United Way affiliate network — sets brand standards, 2-1-1 infrastructure, and campaign frameworks that UWSK operates under.
• United Way of Central Indiana: Larger United Way affiliate that scaled beyond a single region, providing a reference point for UWSK's potential expansion path of 2-1-1 contracting, Workplace platforms, and statewide disaster coordination.

Direct peers

• HandsOn Nashville: Regional volunteer mobilization nonprofit connecting corporate volunteers to nonprofits — closely analogous to UWSK's Day of Caring operating model and corporate-partner activations.
• Heart of Florida United Way: Regional United Way affiliate operating a 2-1-1 contact center and community impact grants with multiple counties under coverage; highly analogous structure in terms of scale, programs, and corporate partner mix.
• United Way of the Bluegrass: Another Kentucky-based United Way affiliate serving the Lexington region with workplace giving campaigns, 2-1-1, and grant distribution — virtually identical operating model, geographic and demographic context to UWSK.
• Feeding America Kentucky's Heartland: Regional food bank network — directly comparable as a Kentucky-based nonprofit that mobilizes corporate volunteers and addresses basic-needs insecurity, the same domain as UWSK's Feed the Need food drive.

Emerging players

• Goodwill Industries of Kentucky: Kentucky-based nonprofit providing workforce development and basic-needs services — overlaps with UWSK's Income focus area and Safety Net programming across overlapping geography.

Regional players

• Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky: Regional community foundation operating in overlapping Bowling Green territory, providing grantmaking to nonprofits — comparable as a regional charitable funding intermediary but with different funding model (endowment-based).

Others

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bowling Green: Direct funding recipient of UWSK's tornado recovery program; an adjacent ecosystem partner providing affordable housing construction in UWSK's service region.
• Kentucky Nonprofit Network: Statewide association supporting Kentucky nonprofits through advocacy, training, and capacity-building — adjacent ecosystem organization that UWSK partner agencies and peer United Way affiliates engage with.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/UnitedWaySOKY
• Facebookfacebook.com/theUWSK?fref=ts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-southern-kentucky
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaysoky/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 Southern Kentucky