Giving Guide: Why Give to United Way of Central Maryland

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

United Way’s multi-phase response to the COVID-19 pandemic focuses on providing what’s needed, where it’s needed and includes a short-term rapid response to address critical needs, a mid-term recovery focus to address needs that emerge, and a long-term rebuilding strategy. Learn more about our commitment to respond, recover, and rebuild in Central Maryland during and after COVID-19.

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COVID Strategy

Impact Areas

Who You Help

What Your Gift Can Do

Providing needed, it's needed.

United Way of Central Maryland lives and breathes this region. Thanks to our extensive network of partners, supporters, and volunteers, United Way is prepared like no other organization to translate philanthropy into meaningful, lasting change. We are proud to be a source of support, compassion, and hope for people who work hard but still can’t make ends meet. We make communities more livable, opportunities more equal, families more stable, and lives better for those who call Central Maryland home. Let us connect you with the causes you care about most and ensure your dollars go as far as possible for our Greater Baltimore communities and neighbors in need.

OUR areas of

Impact

what your gift can do.

Families across Maryland struggle with hunger and access to healthy food options. United Way is working to provide enough—and better—food for every family by increasing awareness of issues related to wellness and nutrition, providing access to affordable, fresh, and locally grown food, and ensuring communities have healthier shopping options. We provide a broad range of solutions to this problem: We work with schools to make sure that students have nutritious meals and snacks, partner with local farms, support neighborhood fruit and vegetable gardens, and distribute meals to those in need. Return to Impact Areas.

Having a place to call home is one of the most basic—and most essential—human needs. Unfortunately, families make up a significant portion of our region’s homeless population, and some of them are living in motels or sleeping in their cars simply to stay off the streets. United Way’s nationally recognized housing program includes innovative partnerships, such as arrangements with property management firms to reduce rent costs and waive security deposits. Our case managers work with families to build financial self-sufficiency in the face of skyrocketing housing costs. Through a web of services and partnerships, we are making great strides to rapidly rehouse those who have lost their home and prevent homelessness for countless others. Return to Impact Areas.

Education is the key to unlocking one’s potential, achieving financial success, and leading a productive, meaningful life. Nevertheless, there are districts in our region where up to 40% of students won’t graduate from high school. United Way’s work touches on all phases of a student’s educational journey—from advocating for quality early education and keeping children in the same schools when their families move to helping more students graduate from high school. Our On Track 4 Success program provides a blueprint for helping more at-risk students stay and succeed in school. Together, we are putting more students on the path to feeding their curiosity, earning their diploma, and achieving their dreams. Return to Impact Areas.

Through workforce development programs, we help people gain the skills they need to achieve stable employment. We work with those who are eligible for government benefits to reduce their need for assistance and remove the obstacles keeping them from a job that pays the bills. Our workforce programs also include specialized work with veterans and homeless persons. Through GED instruction, job readiness training, career mentoring, and apprenticeships, we put people on track to gain the self-sufficiency we all desire and deserve—and that will allow them to attain a stable, healthy life for themselves and their families. Return to Impact Areas.

The calls never stop for our trained 211 specialists, who are providing help and hope 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages and from all communities to the essential health and human services they need. 211 Maryland United Way Helpline answers more than 100,000 calls annually, helping us direct our efforts to meet the evolving needs of our community. When we put our minds to tackling a problem, we don’t rest until a solution is in sight. Return to Impact Areas.

Central Maryland includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties and Baltimore City. Some residents in these regions struggle to afford basic needs – that’s why we have programs in place, like housing assistance, educational support, and community services to power grassroots change for people who live and work in the community. For 95 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to improve Central Maryland and all of its neighborhoods by building deep and trusting relationships with our neighbors—engaging, listening and taking action. Return to Impact Areas.

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Impact

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Our Response

We make communities more livable, opportunities more equal, families more stable, and lives better for those who call Central Maryland home. We focus on what’s needed, where it’s needed, investing in programs and people making a difference in Baltimore and the surrounding regions. Click on an icon to see more detail.

Young professionals who contribute at least $260 per year ($5 a week) and are passionate about making our communities better.

Emerging leaders united

Engaged, passionate individuals who invest $1,000 or more per year to help people make ends meet and provide real change in the Greater Baltimore area.

leaders united

Dynamic and committed women who invest $1,000 or more per year to support critical community work, changing lives for the better.

Women united

Philanthropic leaders who contribute $10,000 or more per year to drive lasting change for the individuals and communities we serve.

tocqueville society

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Champion a cause you care about! Today’s donors have more outlets and platforms for giving than ever before. In a world of seemingly infinite choice, it can be hard to know which organizations and efforts are really improving our communities and the lives of those in need. United Way connects you to causes you care about and organizations that are making a difference in our region and ensures that your dollars go as far as possible. There are many ways get involved and to meet other people who share your passion for positive change, including networking groups, volunteer opportunities, and personal and professional development workshops.

emerging leaders united

Be part of something bigger! As a Leaders United member, you'll know your time and support help with the most pressing issues for people in your community, and you'll know your money will have the most impact. Whether you’re looking to make the best use of your donation or determine the best way to use your volunteer hours, we can do the planning and vetting so that your effort and resources are used to bring about lasting change.

leaders united

Women United is a dynamic and diverse network of women from across Central Maryland. We are a group of passionate individuals actively seeking ways to give, advocate and volunteer to make our community a better place. Putting our values into action not only improves our region, it allows us to focus on what’s most important for those in need. You will have the opportunity to work alongside like-minded women while championing causes you are passionate about. We look for opportunities where we can play an active role in shaping a better future for our neighbors and communities.

women united

An extraordinary contribution! As a member of the United Way’s international Tocqueville Society, you have increased insight into the work we do—and play a key role in determining how we can do it better. In addition to honored supporters, Tocqueville members become vital partners and collaborators in shaping our programs and aiding our efforts to tackle the issues facing our communities. You will have the chance to raise awareness and transformational resources for the causes you most value, and to rally friends, colleagues, and other members of your network to work together to improve our home region. At the same time, you will become part of a powerful network of like-minded philanthropists and changemakers.

tocqueville society

Briana was a member of the United Way Neighborhood Zone in Brooklyn's first high school graduation class of teen parents. Today, she’s a nursing student at Baltimore City Community College, a certified medication technician and certified nursing assistant, and works for a company that uses plasma to make medications.

“The Family Center helped me so much. Without it, I would’ve missed a lot of days of school trying to figure out care for my daughter. My attendance improved and now I’m attending BCCC for my nursing degree. I miss the Family Center teachers—we really had a close bond. I still call Miss Emily if I need help or guidance, and she’s there for me. It really is like a family.”

Isabella is blind and her family lives on a restricted income. She voice-dialed 211, desperately seeking food for her children because no schools in her neighborhood were offering free meals. We texted Isabella a list of nearby food pantries, so her oldest child could contact them to get the food they needed.

Pete, a 36-year-old Army veteran, lost his job when his workplace closed due to COVID-19. Then he lost his home. A vagrancy charge brought him to United Way’s Veterans Treatment Court, a voluntary program for veterans charged with misdemeanors. Working with United Way community partners, Pete got into a new home within two days. He was provided with food and household and personal care items. The program also covered the cost of Pete’s phone and provided a donated computer so that he could stay connected to his case manager and mental health professionals for support, and to search for jobs.

“Isabella did everything she could for herself and her family. She just needed someone to listen and help her navigate her options. We were happy we could text her information to get her and her family connected to food pantries that could help.” – Sue Poandl, Associate Vice President, 211 Maryland United Way Helpline

“Having someone there to work through those obstacles and be supportive goes a long way with helping a person manage these difficulties and overcome the despair.” – Miles Logan, Veteran’s Treatment Court Case Manager

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Stories

Your donation will improve lives and neighborhoods across Central Maryland.

Thank You!

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“Having someone there to work through those obstacles and be supportive goes a long way with helping a person manage these difficulties and overcome the despair.” – Miles Logan Veteran’s Treatment Court Case Manager

Pete, a 36-year-old Army veteran, lost his job when his workplace closed due to COVD-19. Then he lost his home. A vagrancy charge brought him to United Way’s Veterans Treatment Court, a voluntary program for veterans charged with misdemeanors. Working with United Way community partners, Pete got into a new home within two days. He was provided with food and household and personal care items. The program also covered the cost of Pete’s phone and provided a donated computer so that he could stay connected to his case manager and mental health professionals for support, and to search for jobs.

READ THE

Stories