2023 Community Investments and Organization Changes

By Laura Yates Clark, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Charlotte

We are excited to announce our new name, United Way of Greater Charlotte, and our 2023 investment of $16 million in communities across the Charlotte region – awarding $9 million in grants to 132 neighborhood and grassroots organizations working to lift families out of poverty and improve economic mobility.

This investment reflects the funding strategy United Way has phased in over the past several years, a shift the organization made after Charlotte ranked last in economic mobility among 50 metropolitan cities nationally.

The investment also includes more than $5 million from the City of Charlotte as part of collaborative efforts to provide housing and services for people experiencing homelessness. The remaining $2 million represents United Way community investments and donor-directed funding for nonprofits.

United Way’s $9 million in grants will go toward three pillars to improve economic mobility and racial equity.

Our United Neighborhoods program will dramatically expand, with an investment of $4.9 million in more than 50 neighborhoods – up from $1.3 million and three neighborhoods last year. The program aligns with the City of Charlotte’s six “Corridors of Opportunity” and also includes northern Mecklenburg County. 

The funding will go to 70 agencies working in the corridor neighborhoods including United Neighborhood’s original focus in Grier Heights, Lakeview and Renaissance West.

United Way’s Unite Charlotte program will invest nearly $3 million in 55 agencies in 2023 – thanks to continued funding by Mecklenburg County, as well as corporate and private donations. Unite Charlotte provides grants and capacity-building support to grassroots organizations founded and led by people of color.

Regional Investments totaling more than $873,000 will fund 27 nonprofits in Anson, Cabarrus and Union Counties, to support needs identified by residents in each community.

Lastly, we are showing up in a bold and fresh way to reflect the energy of our work. Our new name more clearly identifies the region we serve, which includes Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Anson and Union counties. View our new look at www.unitedwaygreaterclt.org.  

Read the full announcement and view the list of funded partners.

We could not do this work without the extraordinary support of corporate, individual and public-sector donors – and the countless agencies working every day to create opportunities for all people.

Sincerely,

Laura Yates Clark, President & CEO

United Way of Greater Charlotte