Building A Brighter Future Together

Originally founded in 2016 following the civil unrest sparked by the killing of Charlotte resident Keith Lamont Scott, Unite Charlotte seeks to address the structural racism that exists within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Since then, dozens of grassroots organizations—the majority of them founded and/or led by people of color—have received grant funding, capacity-building training, and leadership development opportunities. This is an intentional effort to support their mission and work, increase their impact, and grow a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of nonprofit leaders in Charlotte. 

They lead conversations, leverage community voices and bring the right groups together to address complex economic challenges and social disparities facing individuals, families and communities across the Charlotte region. United Way of Greater Charlotte was founded 90 years ago in Mecklenburg County as “Emergency Relief” to help people affected by the Great Depression through the power of collective giving. In 2020, amidst the public health and economic crises brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, we were reminded that the work done by United Way is just as relevant today as it was nine decades ago. 

 Launched in 2017, United Neighborhoods is changing the odds in disinvested communities through resident empowerment and partnerships with lead partner agencies in each community. 

 Transformation and revitalization efforts are driven through community-specific strategies backed by multi-year funding and staff resources from United Way. Needs are identified by residents and addressed by a coalition of community stakeholders that includes residents, schools, nonprofits, government officials, places of worship, hospitals and businesses.