Community Fund
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

Community Fund

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Connects people in need to people who can help at over 200 programs at over 100 local nonprofits.

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United Way’s Community Fund connects people in need to people who can help.

A community is only as strong as the people who call it home. Strengthening individuals and families is what drives United Way’s Community Fund.

YOU want to be part of something meaningful. YOU want to make a difference in the lives of others. YOU want to trust that your donation is helping the most people possible.

But how do you decide what issue to support? How can you make the biggest impact with just a single donation?

Donations to the Community Fund support programs at agencies like:

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee: Through their Graduation Plus program, they support young people with their college journey.
  • Pathfinders: They focus on youth in crisis, ensuring that all young people are safe, healthy, independent, successful, and valued.
  • FRIENDS: Located in Washington County, they provide emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis intervention, and advocacy service to survivors of intimate partner violence.

View a full list of all the nonprofits and the programs supported by the Community Fund.

  

Donate Now

Make a donation. Change lives.

You donate to United Way’s Community Fund. You can give in the amount that’s comfortable for you. No gift is too small. Your donation is combined with other donors’ money to create one large pool of funds.

 

You don’t have to decide on one specific issue to support. United Way connects with local nonprofits that lead solution-driven programs. Your donation helps fund over 200 programs at over 100 local nonprofits.

 

United Way always invests in programs that are measurable, sustainable, and meet current community needs. The Community Fund is creating lasting change for tens of thousands of people right in your own neighborhoods.

The Impact

Today, our donors, advocates, and volunteers are making a lasting difference in so many ways. We measure success in lives changed. Together, we did some amazing things.

Last year:

  • Over 70,000 youth and adults had increased access to health care programs, health and wellness services, and safer and healthier communities.
  • 83% of surveyed children who participated in United Way-funded early childhood education programs showed improvement in cognitive skills and 84% showed improvement in communication skills.
  • Over 37,000 adults and families benefited from programs that reduced barriers to employment and provided safe and stable homes.

Last year, over 165,000 people were served by United Way-funded programs and partnerships. Over 48,000 individuals were served in our community who did not provide a ZIP code at intake. An additional 290,344 individuals were served by United Way funded partner Impact 2-1-1.

View 2023 Community Impact Report

View Impact in Waukesha County

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FOCUS AREAS

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Health

Supports programs that provide resources and opportunities for individuals and families to lead a healthy and safe life.

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Education

Supports programs that ensure every student is equipped for success in school, work, and life.

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Financial Stability

Supports programs that help adults create a more financially secure future for themselves and their families.

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Success Stories

Sherlean is a Graduation Plus student.

Education: Sherlean and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

Sherlean wanted to go to college and when Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee gave her the option to go without student loans, she jumped at the chance.

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Pathfinders employee

Financial Stability: Pathfinders

Pathfinders, a United Way funded organization, has a deep commitment to address the unmet housing needs that currently exist for hundreds of young people.

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Kathy at Parents Place, Inc.

Education: Parents Place, Inc.

Parents Place in Waukesha recognizes the needs of families and provides support to them through some of the most challenging times.

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FlexRide van.

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement: FlexRide Milwaukee

FlexRide Milwaukee, operated by MobiliSE, is an on-demand program that helps individuals who are facing transportation insecurity commute to and from work.

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Susie and Joaquin

Education: St. Joseph Academy

When Joaquin walks through the doors of St. Joseph Academy, both he and his mom, Susie, know that they have stability.

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Waukesha South High School student

Empowering Minds: Waukesha South High School

Empowering Minds is a unique health initiative reaching youth where they spend most of their day: school.

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Maddie is a counselor at Ozaukee Family Services.

Health: Ozaukee Family Services

Anyone can benefit from the counseling at Ozaukee Family Services, from children experiencing a life change to seniors in need of assistance.

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Chandra and Legal Aid Society

Safe & Stable Homes: Chandra

With help from the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Chandra's worries about a pending eviction and housing insecurity for her and her son were eased.

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Jasmyne Bass at FRIENDS, Inc.

Safe & Stable Homes: FRIENDS, Inc.

The transitional living program at FRIENDS, Inc. in Washington County helps survivors of domestic abuse move from emergency shelter to becoming self-sufficient.

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Education: Clare

A lifelong Girl Scout, Clare built the confidence she needed to pursue her dreams through United Way-funded programs.

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Education: Gabe

Gabe struggled with behavior issues but got the help he needed through two United Way funded partners.

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Education: JB & Diego

At YMCA Day Camp, supported by United Way, Diego proudly supports JB as he becomes a role model for others.

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Education: Madeline & Susie

Through United Way partner Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee County, Little Sister Madeline has a fun and supportive mentor in her "Big," Susie.

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Financial Stability: Beth & Scott

After Beth and Scott lost their Waukesha home, United Way partner American Red Cross helped them get back on their feet.

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Health: Aaron

Aaron has his dream job working in healthcare and gets the support he needs to succeed from United Way-funded Portal, Inc.

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Health: Nina

After suffering with domestic violence for years, Nina and her children found support and healing at United Way partner The Women’s Center.

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Health: Nurse Rosa

Nurse Rosa offers compassionate, culturally sensitive care to every patient she sees at Waukesha Free Clinic, a United Way program partner.

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Health: Santana

Santana, a mom of four, loves to brings the whole family to Community Smiles Dental, a United Way program partner.

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A picture of seria, a young woman in a wheelchair smiling.

Health: Seria

Seria is passionate about building community for people with disabilities with support from United Way partner Independence First.

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Reducing Barriers to Employment: Henry

With support from JobsWork MKE, a United Way partner, Henry found a job he enjoys and is well on his way to reaching his goals.

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Safe & Stable Homes: Sasha

After losing her fiancé suddenly, United Way partner Family Promise of Waukesha County helped Sasha’s and her family stay in their home.

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Community Schools: Nora

As a community school coordinator supported by United Way, Nora forges partnerships to ensure success for students.

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Education: Bertha

With help from YWCA, Bertha achieved her high school equivalency and found purpose in a job she loves.

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man standing near truck

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement: Leon

Employ Milwaukee helped Leon navigate his options for becoming a truck driver; now, he’s planning for a successful future.

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Health: Tasha

With the support of United Way funded partner Meta House, Tasha is celebrating four years sober and living a life she loves.

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Safe & Stable Homes: Mercedez

Mercedez was living in a dangerous home that her landlord wouldn’t fix. A United Way partner helped her find safe housing.

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Health & Wellness: Megan

Meghan loved her friends at the JCC and was able to stay connected virtually when she moved away.

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Education: Daisy

Daisy loved participating in Milwaukee Christian Center programming as a young teen.

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Education: Matt

Curative Care helped Matt transition into adulthood, find a job he loves, and explore his passion for giving back.

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Health: Judy

Born with vision impairment, Judy struggled until Vision Forward got her the support she needed.

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Parent Support: Nafahat

New mom Nafahat felt overwhelmed until she got support from this United Way partner.

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Education: Fardowso

PEARLS for Teen Girls supports young women like Fardowso as they explore careers and build their identities.

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Education: Iris

With support from a United Way partner, Iris achieved a lifelong dream.

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Education: Chao

Chao achieved his dream of going to college with help from a United Way partner.

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What We Fund

See full listing of United Way investments.