What United Way Of Greater Union County Inc. does

United Way of Greater Union County Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered at 219 Central Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey, with additional offices in Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Hillside. The organization serves low-to-moderate income residents of Union County, New Jersey through a portfolio of direct service programs including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Family Success Centers, NJ Youth Corps of Union County for ages 16-25, and the federally-funded Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP) under a $180 million New Jersey Department of Community Affairs grant targeting pre-1978 homes. Its stated focus areas are education and workforce, financial stability, and health outcomes.

The organization operates a Community Resource Network of 55+ nonprofit and government partners (including Arc of Union County, Salvation Army, Urban League, YMCA, and school district partners) that provides a coordinated continuum of care. Funding comes from individual donations through Leadership Giving societies (Tocqueville Society $10,000+, Leadership Circle $1,000-$9,999, Emerging Leaders $500-$999), corporate sponsorships (Wells Fargo, TD Bank Charitable Foundation, Northfield Bank, Optimum, NOBLE, PCDC), signature events such as the Circle of Hope Gala, gifts-in-kind contributions, and government grants. Marketing and engagement occur through the uwguc.org website, Facebook and Instagram channels, community councils, and direct donor outreach.

Leadership is provided by President and CEO Julienne Cherry. Reported impact metrics include $1.3 million in tax refunds returned to local residents through VITA, 1,240+ residents impacted by programs, and 3,475+ volunteer hours contributed. As an independent local affiliate of the global United Way network, the organization is governed by its own Board of Trustees and is not backed by private equity or public market capital.

Name

United Way Of Greater Union County Inc.

Legal name

United Way of Greater Union County Inc.

Website

https://uwguc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of Greater Union County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that delivers social services to low-to-moderate income residents of Union County, New Jersey through programs including VITA tax assistance, Family Success Centers, NJ Youth Corps, and a federal lead remediation program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Educational Services (611), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Family support programs
• Volunteer income tax assistance
• Lead remediation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rahway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the donation portal, direct mail, and workplace giving campaigns. Leadership Giving societies recognize donors at various levels ($500+ for Emerging Leaders, $1,000-$9,999 for Leadership Circle, $10,000+ for Tocqueville Society).
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events and community engagement programs. Benefits include brand visibility, employee engagement opportunities, and association with trusted nonprofit brand. Sponsors support specific initiatives or allow funds to be directed where most needed.
3. Special Events: Signature events like the Circle of Hope Gala generate fundraising revenue while celebrating community leaders and partners. Proceeds support programs promoting family stability, youth success, and financial empowerment.
4. Gifts in Kind: Companies donate surplus equipment or unsold merchandise through the Gifts in Kind program, reducing inventory costs while providing tax deductions and supporting community charities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Way of Greater Union County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers community-based programs supporting education, financial stability, and health for Union County, NJ residents. Core offerings include free tax preparation through VITA, the Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP), Family Success Centers providing multi-service family support, and NJ Youth Corps for out-of-school youth ages 16-25 pursuing a High School Equivalency Diploma and workforce development.

Product overview

United Way of Greater Union County is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community service programs rather than a technology product. The core programs include: VITA (free tax preparation assistance), the Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP) for lead hazard removal, Family Success Centers providing multi-service family support, NJ Youth Corps for youth workforce development, Women United for women's health and empowerment, Leadership Giving societies for philanthropy, Community Resource Partners network, a Volunteer Portal for community engagement, and Corporate Sponsorship opportunities. These programs work together to address education, financial stability, health, and basic needs within the Union County community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Success Center: Multi-service organization providing critical resources and supports to families and children around a continuum of care, from birth to adulthood. Offers services including early education, after-school initiatives, emergency food and shelter, homeless intervention, workforce development, and disabled services.
• NJ Youth Corps of Union County
• Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP)
• VITA
• Women United
• Leadership Giving

Products and services

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Free tax preparation service for low-to-moderate income residents, delivered by trained volunteers to help filers claim refunds. The program returned $1.3 million in tax refunds to local residents.
• Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP) Free lead-based paint inspection, removal, and abatement services for eligible homeowners, tenants, and landlords in pre-1978 homes occupied by low-to-moderate income households in Union County, funded by a $180 million federal grant.
• Family Success Centers Multi-service centers providing critical resources and supports to families and children across a continuum of care, from birth to adulthood, including early education, after-school initiatives, emergency food and shelter, homeless intervention, workforce development, and disabled services.
• NJ Youth Corps of Union County Program helping out-of-school young adults ages 16-25 obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), develop workforce skills, and acquire community service experience through career counseling and service projects.
• Women United Initiative of women philanthropists devoted to fighting for the health, education, and income stability of women, with a focus on maternal and child well-being in Union County.
• Leadership Giving Societies Donor recognition societies including Tocqueville Society ($10,000+ annual gift), United Way Leadership Circle ($1,000-$9,999), and Emerging Leaders ($500-$999) that recognize individuals making significant investments in strengthening the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy.
• Volunteer Portal Online portal connecting individuals and companies with volunteer opportunities across the community, matching volunteers' talents, interests, and schedules to focus areas including Health, Education, and Financial Assistance.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Program providing businesses and organizations with sponsorship opportunities for special events and community engagement programs supporting education, financial stability, health, workforce development, and family support services. Benefits include brand visibility, employee engagement, and association with the trusted United Way brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.3 million in tax refunds returned to local residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Omega Psi Omega ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Partnership for period product drive collecting over 15,000 units and approximately $3,000 in donations to support women in need. Products distributed through UWGUC Success Center and middle schools throughout Union County. Led by Lisa P. Gay, President of Omega Psi Omega Chapter, in collaboration with CEO/President Julienne Cherry.
• New Jersey Department of Community AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWGUC serves as a grantee under the New Jersey Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP), a $180 million federal grant program to address lead-based paint hazards in homes built before 1978 occupied by low-to-moderate income households in Union County.
• Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & CooperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHonoree at the 2026 Circle of Hope Gala recognizing exceptional dedication to community service and legal/professional commitment to Union County community.
• Phi Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonoree at the 2026 Circle of Hope Gala for commitment to community service and women's empowerment initiatives in partnership with UWGUC.
• Community Resource Network (40+ organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 55+ nonprofits and government agencies throughout Union County forming the Community Resource Network. Partners include The Arc of Union County, Cerebral Palsy League, Community Access Unlimited, Family Promise, Jewish Family Service, Salvation Army, Urban League of Union County, and YMCA. Network maximizes resources and builds continuum of care from prenatal health to life skills.
• Healthy Plainfield CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition in partnership with Mayor Adrian O. Mapp from Plainfield, NJ and over 30 coalition members. Part of One Plainfield, One Future initiative focusing on creating safer neighborhoods, promoting healthy living, improving access to fresh foods and vegetables.
• Cranford Community CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots outreach and volunteer committee comprising local residents, nonprofit representatives, business and government leaders. Supports United Way annual campaign, organizes volunteers, hosts events like Taste of Cranford, and works with local nonprofits to create opportunities for those in need.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUWGUC registered as charity on Amazon Smile platform, allowing shoppers to support the organization through eligible purchases.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The global umbrella organization of the United Way network, of which UWGUC is an independent local chapter. Comparable because it operates the same brand, donor infrastructure, and federated model that UWGUC leverages for fundraising and programs.
• American Red Cross: National humanitarian nonprofit delivering disaster relief, health programs, and volunteer mobilization through local chapters. Comparable to UWGUC in volunteer-driven service delivery and multi-program local chapter model.
• The Salvation Army: Multi-service nonprofit delivering emergency assistance, family services, and youth programs through local chapters; one of UWGUC's named Community Resource Network partners. Directly comparable in service breadth and community-based delivery model.

Direct peers

• United Way of New York City: One of the largest U.S. United Way chapters, running multi-program portfolios in education, income, and health. Comparable to UWGUC in service taxonomy and donor society structure, though at materially larger scale.
• United Way of Northern New Jersey: Neighboring New Jersey United Way chapter serving Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties. Comparable to UWGUC in brand, donor society structure, and portfolio of education, income, and health programs at similar suburban NJ scale.
• Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey: Named Community Resource Network partner of UWGUC delivering case management, counseling, and family support across central New Jersey. Comparable as a Union County-area multi-service social services nonprofit serving overlapping client populations.
• Community Action Programs (CAP) of New Jersey affiliates: Federation of Community Action agencies delivering anti-poverty programs (energy assistance, housing, early childhood) across New Jersey. Comparable to UWGUC in mission, funding sources (federal/state grants plus donations), and service delivery to low-income households.
• United Way of New Jersey: The statewide United Way affiliate coordinating advocacy, ALICE research, and 2-1-1 services across New Jersey. Directly comparable to UWGUC in mission, brand, donor model, and statewide footprint for the same population.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity of New Jersey: Statewide network of affordable housing affiliates addressing substandard housing, including lead remediation-adjacent work in older NJ housing stock. Comparable to UWGUC's LRAP-related housing focus and reliance on volunteer-driven, donation-funded service delivery.
• The Arc of New Jersey: Statewide nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Comparable to UWGUC's disability and family support programming (e.g., The Arc of Union County is a named partner), and operates a similar regional advocacy and service network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/njyouthcorpsunioncounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uwguc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Greater Union County Inc.