The United Way Of Central New York Inc

What The United Way Of Central New York Inc does

United Way of Central New York Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community federation founded in 1917 as the Syracuse Community Chest (rebranded in 1972) and headquartered at 980 James Street, Syracuse, NY. It functions as the single largest annual fundraising effort in Central New York, serving Onondaga County and a five-county region (Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence) through four impact areas: Community Resiliency, Financial Security, Healthy Community, and Youth Opportunity. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including the 211CNY 24/7 resource hotline (powered by iCarol/AIRS taxonomy), VolunteerCNY, the Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center (in partnership with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund), Book Buddies literacy tutoring, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Lead Safe CNY Coalition, Ride United Last Mile Delivery, VITA tax preparation, and Thrive at Work — alongside multi-year community program grants to 35+ vetted nonprofit partner agencies.

The organization redistributes funds from individual donors, ~500 workplace campaigns with payroll deduction, corporate sponsorships (Empower Federal Credit Union, Equitable, Community Bank, Excellus BCBS, IBEW Local 43, SRC, OneGroup, J.W. Burns & Company), and signature events (Day of Caring, Bravest vs Finest, Raising the Green, EmpowerHER, Pints & Principles, From First to Next, Broadway for United Way). Its revenue mechanics combine recurring annual giving (Women United at $250+, Hamilton White Society $1,000-$9,999, Alexis de Tocqueville Society $10,000+) with one-time gifts channeled through the e-Pledge donation platform (powered by Andar Software) and the VolunteerCNY.org self-service volunteer matching platform. Charity Navigator-reported program efficiency is 85 cents of every dollar to funded programs, with 15% overhead — well below the BBB 35% standard. The organization is led by President & CEO Carrie Large and governed by Chair Ryan Benz, with 11-50 employees and ~1,000+ leadership donors across its giving societies.

Name

The United Way Of Central New York Inc

Legal name

United Way of Central New York, Inc.

Website

https://unitedway-cny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of Central New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community federation serving Onondaga County and a five-county region, funding 35+ partner agencies through workplace campaigns, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature events across four impact areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Human Services Nonprofit

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type) (BPAGAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Community fundraising services
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Volunteer coordination platform
• Human services nonprofit
• Resource referral hotline

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through annual campaigns, leadership giving programs (Alexis de Tocqueville Society $10,000+, Hamilton White Society $1,000-$9,999), affinity group memberships (Women United, Emerging Leaders United, ReUnited starting at $250 annually), and one-time gifts. Donors can give via credit card, payroll deduction, securities, or monthly/quarterly installments.
2. Workplace Campaigns: Nearly 500 local businesses of all sizes run workplace campaigns allowing employees to pledge via payroll deduction. Employers may also match employee gifts. This is described as a major revenue driver and engagement mechanism.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Companies sponsor events and initiatives, receiving marketing benefits, access to donor demographics, public awareness benefits, and brand association with the charity. Sponsors include Empower Federal Credit Union, Equitable, Community Bank, OneGroup, J.W. Burns & Company Investment Counsel, and others.
4. Community Program Grants: Multi-year grants to partner agencies that align with impact areas (Community Resiliency, Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity). While these are outflows, they represent the programmatic delivery model funded by the revenue streams above.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

United Way of Central New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable federation that raises funds through individual giving, workplace campaigns, and corporate sponsorships, then distributes multi-year community program grants to 35+ vetted partner agencies. It also directly operates community resource platforms including the 211CNY 24/7 resource referral hotline covering five counties, the VolunteerCNY volunteer matching platform, the Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center offering free financial counseling, and a portfolio of youth literacy, lead-safety, and rideshare programs.

Product overview

United Way of Central New York is a nonprofit community organization that operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single product. The core portfolio centers on four impact areas: Community Resiliency (211CNY hotline, VolunteerCNY platform, Day of Caring), Financial Security (Financial Empowerment Center, VITA, Thrive at Work, CNY CA$H Coalition), Youth Opportunity (Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Book Buddies, Literacy Coalition, Full STEAM Ahead), and Healthy Community (Lead Safe CNY Coalition, Ride United Last Mile Delivery). Supporting infrastructure includes the e-Pledge donation platform, affinity groups (Women United, Emerging Leaders United, ReUnited), fundraising events (Raising the Green, Bravest vs Finest, Broadway for United Way), and competitive programs (Good For CNY pitch competition). The organization funds over 35 nonprofit partner agencies through community program grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emerging Leaders United: A network of Central New York young professionals who demonstrate leadership by helping to make lasting positive changes in the community through philanthropy and volunteerism. Formerly known as Young Leaders United.
• Women United
• ReUnited

Products and services

• 211CNY Resource Referral Hotline Free, confidential, 24-hour hotline (dial 211 or 1-844-245-1922) and database (211cny.com) connecting residents of Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to community resources including food, shelter, employment, health care, and mental health services. Uses iCarol database software and AIRS taxonomy for standardized resource categorization.
• VolunteerCNY Platform Regional platform connecting nonprofits, individuals, and corporate groups with volunteer opportunities. Users can search by skills and interests, track hours, manage opportunities, provide feedback, and find special events.
• Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center Free, confidential, one-on-one financial counseling for any City of Syracuse resident regardless of income. Services include budgeting, credit improvement, debt paydown, savings building, and financial goal planning. No products are sold and counselors earn no commissions.
• Day of Caring Annual Volunteer Event Single-day community volunteer event engaging 1,300+ volunteers to complete 100+ nonprofit projects across Central New York in one day.
• Community Program Grants Multi-year funding mechanism for over 35 vetted nonprofit partner agencies delivering programs across four impact areas: Community Resiliency, Financial Security, Healthy Community, and Youth Opportunity. Funded partners include ACR Health, American Red Cross of CNY, Catholic Charities, YMCA, YWCA, Food Bank of CNY, Salvation Army, and Salt City Harvest Farm.
• e-Pledge Online Donation Platform Online donation and event registration platform accepting credit cards, payroll deduction, one-time or recurring gifts, securities donations, and Women United/Emerging Leaders United membership enrollment. VeriSign SSL-encrypted.
• Women United Affinity Network Network of women from private business and nonprofit sectors committed to learning, discussing issues facing women, and creating collective impact through advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering.
• Emerging Leaders United Network of Central New York young professionals demonstrating leadership through philanthropy, volunteerism, professional development, educational events, and networking. Operates the Good For CNY pitch competition and Pints & Principles events.
• ReUnited Affinity Network Affinity group for retired or semi-retired individuals staying connected through volunteering, social programs, education, and mentoring activities supporting United Way of CNY.
• Leadership Giving Societies Two-tier leadership giving program: Alexis de Tocqueville Society ($10,000+ annually) and Hamilton White Society ($1,000-$9,999 across five levels: Wieting, Larned, Bastable, Malcolm, Townsend). Members receive recognition, annual events, networking, and volunteer opportunities.
• Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program mailing free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five across the region to support early literacy development.
• CNY Book Buddies Tutoring

Quantifiable outcome

• 85 cents of every dollar goes directly to funded programs (vs. 15% overhead, below BBB standard of 35%)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• Contact Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner211CNY partner providing community information and referral services in Onondaga County. Collaborates with other county partners to deliver 24/7 resource hotline.
• Onondaga CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner in 211CNY initiative serving Onondaga County residents with resource referral services.
• United Way of Northern New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional United Way affiliate partnership in 211CNY collaboration serving northern New York communities.
• United Way of Greater Oswego CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional United Way affiliate partnership in 211CNY collaboration serving Oswego County residents.
• City of SyracusecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with City of Syracuse to operate Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center, providing free financial counseling to residents.
• Cities for Financial Empowerment FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing model and support for Financial Empowerment Center.partnership to deliver free financial counseling services to City of Syracuse residents.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 43keyGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of Caring presenting sponsor. Supports Central New York's largest single day of community volunteering.
• SRCkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of Caring presenting sponsor. Major corporate supporter of regional volunteer initiatives.
• Empower Federal Credit UnionkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of Caring presenting sponsor and sponsor of Emerging Leaders United events, Broadway for United Way, and Good For CNY pitch competition.
• Excellus BCBSkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of Caring presenting sponsor. Supports community health and wellness initiatives through United Way partnership.
• Community Bank, N.A.keyGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of Caring presenting sponsor along with OneGroup. Also sponsors From First to Next event and United for Moms drive.
• OneGroupkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of Caring presenting sponsor along with Community Bank. Supports risk management and insurance aspects of community engagement.
• EquitablekeyGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Pints & Principles networking events and Women United EmpowerHER wellness event. Provides venue and support for young professional and women's leadership programming.
• J.W. Burns & Company Investment CounselkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor for Raising the Green golf marathon fundraiser. Supports annual golf event raising funds for United Way community programs.
• Syracuse Fire DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in annual Bravest vs Finest basketball game fundraiser against Syracuse Police, trading uniforms for jerseys to support United Way.
• Syracuse Police DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in annual Bravest vs Finest basketball game fundraiser against Syracuse Fire, trading uniforms for jerseys to support United Way.
• COR Development Company, LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting United for Moms donation drive for Mother’s Day gift bags for local women in need.
• Oh My DarlingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDowntown Syracuse restaurant (owned by Board Chair Ryan Benz and wife) supports United Way events and fundraising.
• Syracuse Housing AuthoritykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard Chair Ryan Benz serves as Chair of Syracuse Housing Authority, creating alignment between housing development and United Way community programs.
• 35+ Nonprofit Partner AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of vetted nonprofits receiving community program grants including AIDS Community Resources, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Food Bank of CNY, YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, and others. Programs span health, human services, youth, seniors, and financial stability.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• VolunteerMatch: National online volunteer matching platform. Comparable as a peer volunteer-infrastructure provider that competes with VolunteerCNY for nonprofit volunteer recruitment and corporate volunteer engagement.
• United Way of New York City: Large New York State United Way affiliate operating workplace campaigns, grantmaking, and impact programs. Comparable as a peer affiliate with similar programmatic portfolio (financial empowerment, youth, community resilience) but larger urban scale.
• The Community Foundation of Central New York: Local community foundation serving the same Central New York geography. Competes directly with UWCNY for philanthropic donor dollars through grantmaking, donor-advised funds, and endowed giving—offering an alternative vehicle for community impact giving.
• United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes: Another New York State United Way affiliate serving a defined regional footprint with workplace campaigns, donor-advised grantmaking, and 211-style community programs. Most directly comparable peer given similar scale and Upstate NY operating context.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization for 1,800+ United Way affiliates including UWCNY. Operates as the system-wide brand, standards, and global fundraising entity; comparable as the overarching federated-giving model UWCNY operates within.
• American Red Cross (Central and Northern New York): National humanitarian organization with regional chapter serving same Central NY geography as a UWCNY grant recipient and peer fundraiser. Comparable in mission overlap (emergency assistance, disaster relief) but operates under a national brand.
• Food Bank of Central New York: Regional food bank and current UWCNY grant recipient. Comparable as a peer social services organization raising funds and mobilizing volunteers in the same Central NY geography.
• Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse: Faith-based social services organization serving same Central NY region; current UWCNY grant recipient. Comparable as a peer human services provider and fundraiser operating at significant regional scale.
• YMCA of Central New York: Regional YMCA chapter and current UWCNY grant recipient offering youth development, health programs, and community services. Comparable as a peer mission-aligned nonprofit with overlapping program portfolio and donor base.

Regional players

• 211 of the Finger Lakes: Adjacent regional 211 information-and-referral provider in New York State. Comparable as a peer information-and-referral hotline using the same iCarol/AIRS infrastructure standard.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaycny
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-central-new-york

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 The United Way Of Central New York Inc