Our Mission

True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our communities, United Way is there. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. Our reach across our communities means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve lives around the Capital Region.  

From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.

Areas We Serve

United Way California Capital Region serve Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo Counties. We are committed to helping families succeed, so both families and communities can thrive. 

A Legacy of Mobilizing Communities to Action

For over 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen, working to significantly reduce poverty in the region through direct services offered by United Way that respond to our community’s biggest needs.

Needs that we hear directly from the community. We engage local business, philanthropic foundations, other non-profits and our local government to mobilize and respond to these needs.

Our program offerings are dynamic to respond to our community’s modern day needs and modern day problems, but all of our programs fall in one of our four pillars.

Healthy Community: Improving health and well-being for all

Youth Opportunity: Helping kids excel in school and young people realize their full potential

Financial Security: Invest in families to build financial stability and strength

Community Resiliency: Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow

Frequently Asked Questions

What does United Way do? 

For 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has mobilized our community to action so that everyone in our community can reach their full potential.

We believe this effort starts at school but doesn’t end there as kids cannot be successful in school if they are housing or food insecure. So we invest in local families to build financial security and stability and ensure that our community has access to housing, something data shows is crucial to both healthy lives and to realize their full potentials.

This isn’t the United Way of yesteryear. United Way is an active participant in our community, who listens to and responds to our community’s needs. We partner with local government, local business local philanthropic organizations and local nonprofits to meet our community’s needs.

Are you a chapter of the national organization? 

United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for nearly 1,800 local United Ways in 40 countries, including United Way California Capital Region.

We are a separately incorporated affiliate with our own local  CEO, staff and Board of Directors. 

How can I help? 

We can’t do this work alone, and we need more people to join our movement. Donate your resources, volunteer or time or join an action group to deepen your impact.  

This money stays here locally and we actively spend these dollars to provide additional access and programs to communities that need it most.

For example, after turning 100 years old in 2023, we established a goal to raise $3 million to help 10,000 local kids excel in school by 2025. Instead of waiting until all the money was collected, or until 2025, we’ve actively spend those dollars to provide additional programming and resources to the Capital Region.

Like our KinderCamp which has expanded to new areas providing kindergarten readiness for children who didn’t have access to preschool.

Why should I give through United Way and not directly to my favorite nonprofit? 

By supporting a specific nonprofit through United Way, you are enabling that nonprofit to receive additional funds that they might not otherwise get.

Most of our donors give through payroll deduction and often give more to a nonprofit since they’re giving a little each month.

We also vet all nonprofits before passing on funds so you can be assured that you’re supporting a valid 501(c)(3) organization. 

How is United Way addressing racial inequality in our region? 

United Way is committed to playing a significant role in the reduction of poverty, educational inequity and any disparity that may prevent individuals and families from reaching their highest educational or economic potential.  

How can my nonprofit get more involved with United Way?

Become a certified nonprofit and receive many benefits including marketing on our website and inclusion in our annual workplace campaigns with more than 300 local companies and 250,000 state employees.

United Way often hosts volunteer monthly volunteer opportunities with certified nonprofits, and certified nonprofits are included in our Nonprofit Outreach Program where we connect you directly with employees within our workplace giving campaigns to help solicit donations. 

Have a grant opportunity you think we could help with? Reach out to Sia Magadan, our Director of Strategic Partnerships, to see if there is a fit for us to work together to tackle issues in our community together.

Which local companies support United Way California Capital Region? 

More than 300 local private and public sector companies and organizations support us through workplace giving campaigns. Top corporate donors include SMUD, UPS, Health Net and Costco.  

Does United Way charge a fee for giving to the nonprofit of my choice? 

We deduct a small amount (usually about 15%) of each donation to collect and direct designated gifts. 

What is United Way’s overhead? 

Our current overhead is 15.8%. We are well within the range organizations like the Better Business Bureau say is acceptable.