United Way of Santa Cruz County (CA)

What United Way of Santa Cruz County (CA) does

United Way of Santa Cruz County is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 94-1422471) founded in 1945 (originally as the Pajaro Valley Community Chest) and headquartered at 4450 Capitola Rd, Ste 106, Capitola, California. Operating with a stated 1-10 staff and engaging over 3,000 volunteers annually, the organization delivers a portfolio of interconnected human-services programs in Santa Cruz County across three stated impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security, with a fourth Community Resiliency pillar. Core programs include the United 4 Youth and United 4 Community initiatives, the 211 Santa Cruz County 24/7 information and referral helpline (over 4,000 calls handled in 2025), the Jóvenes Sanos youth mental wellness program, the Stuff the Bus K-12 supply drive (target of 2,500+ backpacks), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation for households earning $69,000 or less, and administration of the FEMA-funded Emergency Food and Shelter Program (Phase 42 disbursed $152,455 to local nonprofits).

The organization's underlying technology stack is modest: a public website (unitedwaysc.org), the separate 211 Santa Cruz County portal, the Data Share Santa Cruz community data platform used in partnership for the Community Assessment Project (CAP), the Real Cost Measure financial-security tool, and standard nonprofit management systems. There is no proprietary software product, no public API, and no documented AI/ML capability. Instead, value is delivered through people-led service delivery, volunteer mobilization, and convening of nonprofit, business, and government stakeholders.

The revenue model is entirely donation- and grant-based, with no fees charged for services. Streams include individual donations (one-time and recurring via the website), workplace giving campaigns through payroll-deduction partnerships with employers such as Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz County Bank, and West Coast Community Bank, corporate sponsorships for signature events (Stuff the Bus, the David Lyng Real Estate Seascape Golf Tournament, United In Purpose Awards & Celebration), affinity-group memberships (Women In Philanthropy at $1,000/year, Emerging Leaders Circle at $10/month or $100/year), government grants (CalEITC, FEMA EFSP), and program-specific philanthropic grants from Kaiser Permanente, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Watsonville Rotary Club Foundation, Elevate Youth California (Proposition 64), and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. The primary end-users served are Santa Cruz County residents in need, K-12 youth (particularly those experiencing homelessness or hardship), and low-income families eligible for free tax preparation.

Name

United Way of Santa Cruz County (CA)

Legal name

United Way of Santa Cruz County

Website

https://unitedwaysc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Santa Cruz County is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1945 that delivers youth, financial stability, community health, and 211 referral programs to Santa Cruz County residents, supported by donations, workplace giving, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & Substance Use Program Funding (Public Health) (HLAJALAI)

Keywords

• Community human services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Emergency assistance
• Youth development programs
• Free tax preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Capitola

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the organization's website, direct mail campaigns, and event-based fundraising. The organization promotes one-time and recurring donation options.
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Partnerships with local employers including Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz County Bank, and West Coast Community Bank enable employees to make charitable contributions through payroll deduction.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events such as Stuff the Bus and the Seascape Golf Tournament, providing financial support in exchange for event visibility and community goodwill.
4. Government Grants: The organization administers FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds, distributing $152,455 in Phase 42 funding to local nonprofits providing emergency food and shelter services. Also receives support through CalEITC and other government programs.
5. Program-Specific Funding: The Jóvenes Sanos youth mental wellness program receives funding from organizations including Watsonville Rotary Club Foundation, Elevate Youth California (Proposition 64), Kaiser Permanente, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, and Santa Cruz County Office of Education.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Way of Santa Cruz County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises charitable funds and distributes them to community programs addressing youth services, emergency food and shelter, health initiatives, and information/referral support (2-1-1) across Santa Cruz County. The organization also convenes volunteer networks, publishes community data assessments, and operates initiatives such as VITA free tax preparation and Stuff the Bus school-supply drives.

Product overview

United Way of Santa Cruz County operates as a nonprofit health and human services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a unified technology product. The core initiatives are United 4 Youth (focused on youth mental health, civic engagement, and leadership) and United 4 Community (providing access to essential resources including food, housing, and healthcare). Key programs include the 211 Santa Cruz County helpline (24/7 information and referral service), Jvenes Sanos (youth mental wellness program), Community Assessment Project (data and research), Emergency Food & Shelter Program (FEMA-funded assistance), and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (free tax preparation). Additional offerings include Stuff the Bus (school supply drive), the annual Golf Tournament and United In Purpose Awards (fundraising/recognition events), and affinity giving groups (Women In Philanthropy, Emerging Leaders Circle). The organization also supports the Children's Network and Real Cost Measure research initiative. The organization does not offer a public API or documented AI/ML capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• United 4 Youth: Initiative empowering the next generation through education, leadership, and well-being.
• United 4 Community
• Jovenes Sanos
• 211 Santa Cruz County

Quantifiable outcome

• 211 Santa Cruz County received over 4,000 calls in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Santa Cruz County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the 4th Annual Cultivating Hope Youth Mental Wellness Conference at Sequoia High School, bringing together youth leaders, community partners, and mental health advocates for interactive workshops, peer-led dialogues, and resource booths. Also provides funding support through various educational initiatives.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Santa Cruz CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with United Way's Jovenes Sanos program for youth mental wellness initiatives, including the annual Cultivating Hope conference and Ending the Silence workshops that foster open conversations about mental health.
• Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner powering volunteer opportunity search functionality on the United Way website, connecting community members with volunteer opportunities that match their passions.
• Community Prevention PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a community resource partner on the United Way website, providing collaborative resources for community prevention efforts.
• Data Share Santa CruzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity data collaboration partner supporting the Community Assessment Project and other data-driven community initiatives.
• United Ways of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide network providing tools including My Money Path financial planning resources and MyFreeTaxes.org online tax filing platform, complementing local VITA and CalEITC programs.
• Living EvolutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Jovenes Sanos for youth programming including outdoor workshops focused on connecting with nature and peers, and healing through nature events.
• Cabrillo CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with United Way through workplace giving campaigns and supports Paving the Way college readiness events, offering campus tours and dual enrollment information for local youth.
• UC Santa CruzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Youth Action Network and United Way on We Belong community research project addressing experiences of immigrant families, and Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) initiatives.
• Youth Action NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in youth-led research and advocacy initiatives including the We Belong project with UCSC and the Alzamos la Voz Y-PAR Project that engaged 40 youth in monthly meetings.
• PVUSD Expanded LearningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Jovenes Sanos for after-school life skills programming focused on nutrition, fitness, and mental wellness.
• Community Action Board of Santa Cruz CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of the Jovenes Sanos youth mental wellness program and listed as a cabinet member of the Children's Network.
• Barrios UnidosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Jovenes Sanos leadership retreats at the Walter Guzman Retreat Center, providing space for youth to connect with nature and develop leadership qualities.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented on the Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board for Santa Cruz County, contributing to grant decisions for emergency food and shelter services.
• Catholic Charities Diocese of MontereycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented on the Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board (including Board Chair Aurelio Salazar) and serves as local nonprofit partner for emergency services.
• The Salvation Army Santa CruzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented on the Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board and provides emergency food and shelter services as an EFSP recipient.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

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 Santa Cruz County (CA)