United Way of West Central Mississippi

What United Way of West Central Mississippi does

United Way of West Central Mississippi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1953 and headquartered on the top floor of the historic Cashman Building at 920 South Street in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi. The organization serves a five-county region (Warren, Claiborne, Sharkey, Issaquena, and Yazoo Counties), where roughly 47% of households live below the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) Threshold and 19% are below the Federal Poverty Level. Its work is organized around four core impact areas: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Lifelong Literacy, and Community Resiliency, with a fifth 'Healthy Community' area emerging in its recent programming.

The organization's core offerings are community programs rather than technology products. These include the Volunteer Hub (connecting community members with nonprofit opportunities), the Resource Hub (a printed and online directory of housing, food, healthcare, childcare, and crisis services), the ALICE Financial Security Program (a year-long pilot providing personalized family coaching in partnership with regional banks, Hinds Community College, and Habitat for Humanity), and a portfolio of literacy programs (Dolly Parton Imagination Library, LEARN, SOAR United, Excel by 5 Coalition, Campaign for Grade Level Reading). Supporting initiatives include the Thriving Together Podcast, advocacy on child care/Head Start/SNAP/Medicaid, the Community-Wide Diaper Drive, and annual community events (Day of Caring, Caffeine for a Cause, Make a Difference Day, Day of Action). The technology stack consists of a standard nonprofit website (unitedwayvicksburg.org), the Harness donation platform for online and round-up giving, and the Kroger Community Rewards loyalty integration. There are no proprietary AI or ML capabilities.

Revenue is generated entirely through fundraising rather than commercial sales. Streams include individual donations (one-time, monthly, payroll deduction via workplace campaigns), a tiered Leadership Giving Society ($500 to $10,000+ annually), Kroger Community Rewards, Harness round-up giving, corporate sponsorships (notably International Paper and Batesville Manufacturing), and planned giving/bequests including IRA charitable rollovers. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors chaired by Ginger Donohue (2025), with an Executive Director (Michele Connelly) and three additional directors overseeing marketing and resource development, finance, and community impact. Cumulative community investment over 11 years totals $8.5 million, with 47,707 age-appropriate books distributed and 1.3 million volunteer hours invested.

Name

United Way of West Central Mississippi

Legal name

United Way of West Central Mississippi

Website

https://unitedwayvicksburg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of West Central Mississippi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that mobilizes volunteers, donations, and partner organizations to deliver youth opportunity, financial security, literacy, and community resiliency programs across a five-county region in West Central Mississippi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services and Nonprofit Fundraising

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Community fundraising
• Nonprofit social services
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Volunteer coordination
• Community resource hub

Headquarters

HQ city

Vicksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct contributions from individuals through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, or payroll deduction via workplace campaigns. Donations can be made through the website donation portal, mail, or workplace giving programs.
2. Leadership Giving Society: Tiered annual giving program with recognition levels: Community Advocate ($500-$999), Neighborhood Builder ($1,000-$2,499), Opportunity Advocate ($2,500-$4,999), Visionary Leader ($5,000+), and Tocqueville Society ($10,000+).
3. Kroger Community Rewards: Portion of Kroger purchases donated when customers link their Plus card to United Way. Round-up giving program through Harness rounds up card purchases to the nearest dollar for monthly donations.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support specific programs and events including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (Batesville Manufacturing), Day of Caring events, and various community initiatives.
5. Planned Giving and Bequests: Retiree giving options including IRA charitable rollovers for those 70.5 and older, one-time contributions in memory of loved ones, and planned giving through wills or estate plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way of West Central Mississippi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes donations, volunteers, and partner organizations to deliver community programs across five Mississippi counties. Its core work spans four impact areas — Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Lifelong Literacy, and Community Resiliency — delivered through literacy programs, financial coaching, volunteer coordination, workplace giving, and crisis/disaster response, with all contributions staying local to the region.

Product overview

United Way of West Central Mississippi operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a unified set of community service programs rather than a software product platform. The core offering consists of four interconnected impact areas: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Lifelong Literacy, and Community Resiliency. Key programs include the Volunteer Hub (connecting volunteers with nonprofits), Resource Hub (access to community services), ALICE Financial Security Program (personalized family coaching), and various literacy initiatives (Dolly Parton Imagination Library, LEARN, SOAR). The organization also operates the Thriving Together Podcast, advocacy initiatives, Leadership Giving Society, and annual events including Day of Caring and Make a Difference Day. Donation and giving programs integrate with Kroger Community Rewards and Harness round-up giving platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Volunteer Hub A centralized platform connecting community members with volunteer opportunities at local nonprofits, facilitating meaningful partnerships between volunteers and social service agencies.
• Resource Hub A one-stop connection to vital community services providing access to housing assistance, food security, utility support, healthcare, childcare, crisis intervention, and more.
• ALICE Financial Security Program A year-long pilot initiative providing personalized support to local families including monthly one-on-one coaching, access to housing and childcare resources, health education, and career guidance.
• Dolly Parton Imagination Library A literacy program delivering free, age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five, fostering early love of reading, with sponsorship from Batesville Manufacturing.
• LEARN (Leaders Encouraging Advancements in Reading Now) A literacy initiative providing four books to every third grade student in Warren County to build home libraries and strengthen reading skills, sponsored by Regions Bank.
• SOAR United Literacy Intervention A literacy program providing evidence-based reading intervention, personalized literacy experiences, weekly books matched to Lexile levels, and academic mentorship for struggling readers.
• TEENS UNITED A youth leadership initiative of high school juniors and seniors who plan and lead service projects and recruit peers for volunteer involvement.
• Scholarships for High School Seniors Memorial scholarships awarded to local high school seniors demonstrating outstanding volunteerism, including the Tre'Vion Jayden Gray Memorial Scholarship and Bruce Alan Ebersole Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
• Excel by 5 Coalition An early childhood community certification process focusing on children from birth to age 5, engaging communities to support early childhood development through parent and educator involvement.
• Campaign for Grade Level Reading A partnership providing resources to increase the number of children reading proficiently by end of third grade, including the LEARN program and Mississippi Reads One Book.
• Leadership Giving Society Tiered annual giving circles recognizing philanthropic leaders at various levels: Community Advocate ($500-$999), Neighborhood Builder ($1,000-$2,499), Opportunity Advocate ($2,500-$4,999), Visionary Leader ($5,000+), and Tocqueville Society ($10,000+), with annual billing and recognition benefits.
• Workplace Giving Campaigns Customized payroll deduction workplace giving campaigns for local businesses, including Employee Campaign Manager toolkit, kickoff events, presentations, and campaign materials, with 100% of contributions staying local.
• Advocacy Initiatives Policy advocacy efforts focusing on child care, Head Start, SNAP, and Medicaid to create long-term sustainable change in communities.
• Community-Wide Diaper Drive A collective effort to support families by providing diapers to partner agencies serving families with young children.
• SingleCare Prescription Discount Cards Free prescription discount cards offered in partnership with SingleCare that help reduce medication costs up to 80% at major pharmacies with no insurance required.
• Day of Caring Annual community-wide volunteer event bringing together individuals from businesses and organizations to complete meaningful projects at area nonprofits.
• Thriving Together Podcast A podcast amplifying voices from West Central Mississippi, featuring local leaders, residents, and organizations making a difference in the community.
• Vicksburg Warren Youth Development Center Partnership Partnership providing youth and families in Warren, Issaquena, Claiborne, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties with access to essential community resources and supportive programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47,707 age-appropriate books distributed to area children
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 7 Brew CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Community fundraising partnership for the Caffeine for a Cause event. Customers pay what they want for limited menu items during the three-day event with proceeds benefiting United Way.
• Batesville ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle sponsor of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program in the community. Their generous support enables free book delivery to children from birth to age five, fostering early literacy and a love of reading.
• Canopy's LINK ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ALICE Financial Security Program providing housing support and resources to families receiving personalized financial coaching.
• Cadence BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial partner in the ALICE Financial Security Program. Cadence Bank representatives serve on the Community Impact Committee guiding investment decisions.
• Regions BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the LEARN literacy program and partner in ALICE Financial Security Program. Regions Bank representatives serve on Community Impact Committee.
• Trustmark BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ALICE Financial Security Program providing financial expertise and resources for family coaching initiatives.
• Hinds Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in the ALICE Financial Security Program providing career guidance and workforce development resources to participating families.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner in the ALICE Financial Security Program providing affordable housing support and resources to families in the program.
• SingleCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free prescription discount cards to community members. Cards accepted at major pharmacies and can save users up to 80% on medications with no insurance required.
• International PapercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate sponsor recognized on the organization's website. Representatives serve on the Board of Directors and Community Impact Committee.
• Dolly Parton Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational literacy program delivering free age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. United Way serves as local affiliate with sponsorship from Batesville Manufacturing.
• Campaign for Grade Level ReadingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership aligning the community with proven resources and networking to increase children reading proficiently by end of third grade.
• Excel by 5 CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal early childhood community certification process focusing on children from birth to age five. Coalition includes community organizations working together to engage communities.
• Mississippi Head Start AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partnership supporting comprehensive early childhood development programs. United Way Executive Director serves as Board Member.
• Vicksburg Warren Youth Development CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner providing youth development resources and mentorship programs for children and teens in Warren, Issaquena, Claiborne, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity: National nonprofit addressing affordable housing; United Way partners with the local Habitat affiliate as part of its ALICE Financial Security Program, and Habitat's housing-focused model overlaps with United Way's Financial Security impact area.
• VolunteerMatch: National online platform connecting volunteers with nonprofits; analogous to United Way's Volunteer Hub in functionality (volunteer-opportunity matching) but operating as a digital-only marketplace rather than a community-embedded organization.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: National humanitarian organization with disaster response capabilities that overlap with United Way's Community Resiliency focus area; comparable in operating model (local chapters, donor recognition tiers, workplace giving, volunteer mobilization).
• Points of Light: National nonprofit focused on volunteer mobilization and civic engagement; operates a global Volunteer Hub concept that overlaps directly with United Way of West Central Mississippi's Volunteer Hub product and Day of Caring-style events.
• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization for the United Way network; United Way of West Central Mississippi operates as an independent affiliate within this federation, sharing the brand, Tocqueville Society recognition, and access to nationwide campaigns and standards.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit focused on workforce development, financial security, and community re-entry — closely aligned with United Way's Financial Security impact area and ALICE-style economic mobility programming, often operating regional affiliates.

Regional players

• Mississippi Center for Justice: Mississippi-based legal advocacy nonprofit addressing poverty-related issues; comparable to United Way's advocacy initiatives (Head Start, SNAP, Medicaid) and overlapping in serving the same low-income Mississippi population.
• Community Foundation of Greater Jackson: Regional community foundation serving central Mississippi with grantmaking and donor-advised funds; comparable in function (channeling philanthropic dollars to local needs) and in Mississippi geography, though structured as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit operating local affiliates; directly comparable to United Way's Youth Opportunity programs (mentorship, after-school support, leadership pipelines like Teens United) and competes for the same corporate donors and volunteers.
• United Way of the Capital Area: A fellow Mississippi-based United Way affiliate serving the Jackson metro area; directly comparable in mission (community impact, workplace giving, ALICE programming), structure (501(c)(3) nonprofit with similar giving society tiers), and geographic adjacency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedwayvburg
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWayofWestCentralMississippi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-west-central-mississippi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 West Central Mississippi