Our Mission - United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Our Mission

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Towards the Greatest Good.

At United Way, we are dedicated to one unshakable principle—no one should have to live in poverty. And yet, in Philadelphia alone, 1-in-4 families are doing just that. At United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, we aim to put an end to poverty and expand opportunity for all.

And we believe we can. But only if we stand united. We’re forging coalitions with individuals, businesses, government, and community organizations to help us provide people the skills and support they need to become—and remain—financially independent, and to leave poverty in the past.

When our work is through, every family in our region will have what they need to support themselves and improve their lives.

Individuals Community Partners Companies

Through the toughest of times, from the great depression to hurricane Sandy to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been there when it matters most. But we’re not done yet.

- Bill Golderer, President & CEO

Poverty Impacts Us All.

For some, a flat tire or small medical expense can cause a family to fall behind in achieving their goals. These everyday challenges can disproportionately affect those already facing financial hardship, creating barriers from breaking the cycle of poverty. At United Way, we’re building stronger communities so families can thrive. With your support, we can help families get back on track and on to what’s next through immediate relief and long-term achievement.

If we want to solve poverty, we have to start by understanding it.
So let’s start with some fundamental truths.

Poverty is everywhere.

Poverty is a very old problem – an inheritance of old inequities, broken systems, and careless policies. It’s estimated that more than 60% of all Americans between 20 and 65 will rely on social welfare programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

In our region alone, more than 650,000 adults and children are living in poverty. That’s ten Lincoln Financial Fields filled with people living on less than $27,000 a year.

Poverty is cyClical.

Poverty is a self-repeating system. When a child is born into poverty, they are significantly more likely to remain there as an adult. In fact, 1 out of every 2 children born into poverty will remain poor for their entire lives.

Fortunately, the cure is self-repeating as well. When families are financially secure, they are better positioned to buy homes, support local businesses, and build generational wealth.

Poverty is Expensive.

It’s one of the cruelest ironies imaginable – it’s very, very expensive to be poor. Childhood poverty alone costs the US half a trillion dollars every year in potential lost earnings, crime, and even health care.

As a result, we wind up spending more tax dollars treating the symptoms of poverty than we would by treating the disease.

Poverty is Unequal.

Poverty thrives on inequality. It reaches into the cracks within our systems, and pushes us all even further apart. As a result, it hits communities of color the hardest.

Black Philadelphians make up 40% of the City’s overall population, and yet own only 2.5% of the businesses. Black Philadelphias are twice as likely to live in poverty, and over 60% of our social services assist Black families specifically. This is a system-wide problem. It requires systemic solutions.

Our Approach

With deep roots across Greater Philadelphia, we have the local expertise and reach to create community impact at scale. Alongside our community partners, we bring a proven approach to every challenge, listening to communities and building coalitions so solutions with the greatest potential move forward. Together, we can make meaningful change for more people.

WE LISTEN to community voices to understand challenges and identify underlying issues.

WE LEVERAGE expertise, local market knowledge, and community partners to develop effective solutions.

WE BUILD coalitions with leaders from local communities, government and corporate sectors to implement and fund these solutions.

WE MEASURE AND REFINE our strategies to amplify impact family-by-family, year-over-year

WE SHARE our findings to strengthen sector capacity, expand learning, and inspire action across Greater Philadelphia.

diversity, equity, and inclusion.

At United Way, we know forging a better path forward starts with creating communities that honor diversity, equity and inclusion.

We believe in equity, in equality, and that every single person, regardless of zip code, skin color or background should have the opportunity to create the best lives possible for themselves and their families.

Building and maintaining a racial equity culture is a daily practice and requires ongoing work. Which is why we’re committed to taking quantifiable action to become an actively anti-racist organization — now and in the future.

See the actions we’re taking to build a racial equity culture.

“Equity will only be achieved when systemic, institutional and historic barriers no longer predict inequitable socioeconomic, education and health outcomes."

- Bill Golderer, President & CEO