FY24 Impact Report

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Dear Friends,

Each year, we strive to build a region where opportunity is within everyone’s reach, and in FY24, thanks to you, we took another significant step forward. United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey invested $21.7 million into our communities, continuing our trajectory of increasing investment year after year. That growth is possible because of your generosity, vision, and partnership.

In this year’s report, we’re excited to share stories of impact made possible by our generous donors and dedicated nonprofit partners. You’ll notice that our FY24 Impact Report looks different from years past. That’s because we changed our grantmaking practices to become better partners, simplifying applications and reporting so nonprofits can spend more time serving their communities and less time on paperwork. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, opening the door to deeper learning and stronger relationships with those we fund.

This year, we also continued to make major strides through The Promise, helping more people access the benefits they’re entitled to and expanding our record-clearing work so more neighbors can move forward without barriers. Our Center for Leadership Equity grew its reach, providing critical support to nonprofit leaders to better serve their communities and drive systems change.

And yet, the work is far from finished. Too many of our neighbors still face persistent poverty, systemic inequities, and barriers that no one should have to overcome alone. The issues are complex, intertwined, and deeply rooted—but together, we have the resolve and the relationships to make lasting change.

These are just a few highlights from an extraordinary year of progress. I hope you’ll read on for more inspiring stories of what we can achieve together—and a candid look at the work that remains. Thank you for investing your time, your resources, and your trust in building a more prosperous and equitable region.

With gratitude,

Bill Golderer
President & CEO
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

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Counties Served

$21.7M+

Dollars Invested

15K+

Generous Donors

350+

Corporate Partners

150+

Community Partners

FY 2024
Collective Poverty-Fighting Impact Across Nine Counties

Focus Areas

CAREER PATHWAYS

Providing educational and career readiness training to build financial stability.

EARLY LEARNING

Providing early childhood education and support to promote school-readiness and success.

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT

Providing people with opportunities to save money, get out of debt, and increase income and assets.

COMMUNITY RESILIENCY

Providing communities and individuals with solutions for their needs.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Providing community-based organizations and leadership with resources to meet the needs of their communities.

Community Investments

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey raises funds for a 12-month span which is then invested into the community during the next 12-month span.

In the 2024 fiscal year, we invested over $21,700,000 to the community.

Your gift provides solutions that work for change that lasts across our 9-county footprint.

Learn more about our impact

$2M

Career Pathways

$1.6M

Capacity Building

$6.7M

The Promise

$6.2M

Community Resiliency

$2.3M

Early Learning

$2.9M

Financial Empowerment

FY24 Community Investment Impact

IMPACT STORIES

Lubert IDA Program

Individual Development Accounts (IDA) help working individuals build assets through matched savings for post-secondary education, small-business expansion, or the purchase of a first home. The program helps participants embody life-long financial education principles that work to make asset ownership attainable and to achieve long-term financial security. The Lubert IDA Program at United Way provides a powerful incentive for individuals to save by matching their savings 3:1.

The IDA Program has experienced incredible success among program participants and an unyielding commitment among its community partners. In FY24, participants collectively saved more than $325,000 and were matched by more than $700,000. There were 208 program participants with 72 (35%) receiving a match toward post-secondary education, 112 (54%) receiving a match toward a home purchase, and 24 (11%) using their match to expand their small business.

Early on in the year, one of our community partners—Newfound RiseUp Fund—accepted a married father of three into the program. At a time when the affordable housing market continues to alienate low- to moderate-income homebuyers who cannot compete with up-front and unlimited amounts of cash, this participant indicated that he did not think he was a good husband or father for his lack of ability to save money. Through the IDA Program, he diligently saved $2,000 and was able to purchase a home, which allowed him to feel great pride in being able to provide for his wife and children. Thanks to the program, this participant secured a significant asset to build generational wealth for his family.

208 program participants

72 received a match for post-secondary education

112 received a match for homeownership

24 received a match for small business expansion

115 participants enrolled

95% of participants achieved their savings goal and received their match

Emergency Savings Match Program

Far too many families are living paycheck-paycheck, week to week, and are one emergency or life event away from financial distress. According to the Federal Reserve, nearly 40% of American adults cannot pay an unexpected expense of $400, leading them to borrow money, sell possessions, or neglect the expense entirely.

The ultimate goal of the Emergency Savings Match Program (ESMP) is to reduce poverty and bolster generational wealth among low- to medium-income families by ensuring emergency savings relief. Participants of the program are given the opportunity to open a non-custodial savings account, in which they save $200. Upon completing the saving goal, a 4:1 match in the amount of $800 is deposited directly into each participant’s savings account, for a total of $1,000 of savings.

At the completion of Year Two, which ran from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, the ESMP enrolled a total of 115 participants across our three community partners, and 95% achieved their savings goal to receive their match. One participant in transitional housing enrolled in the ESMP with Open Hearth. Ultimately, the program not only helped her accumulate savings; it restored her peace of mind. For the first time in years, she had a financial safety net to rely on in case of emergencies. This newfound security enabled her to shift her focus to long-term goals. With less financial stress weighing her down, she successfully secured employment and moved into permanent housing.

The Center For Leadership Equity

Thanks to the vision and leadership of Kelly Woodland and Folashade Dunbar, the Center for Leadership Equity (CLE) officially launched in 2024, building on insights from its successful pilot phase.

At the heart of this work is the Black Nonprofit Chief Executives of Philadelphia (BNCEP)—a community that began with 24 leaders and has grown into a thriving network of 250 members, including emerging nonprofit professionals with 3–10 years of experience. Together, these leaders are shaping the CLE’s strategies and strengthening the region’s nonprofit ecosystem.

To bridge the social access gap between Black nonprofit leaders and funders, the CLE hosted a range of programs and events designed to foster connection and collaboration. Highlights included culturally competent executive coaching, a six-session Summer Leadership Academy, a four-session Fall Finance Academy (in partnership with the Nonprofit Finance Fund), and a Fall Wellness Retreat that centered restoration and community care.

One retreat participant shared,

“I went to my rheumatologist. [My blood pressure] was down 10 points from usual, and she commented that I seemed so relaxed. She was briefed on the retreat and its therapeutic value. Thank you for creating a safe space for respite and community.”

This powerful reflection captures the essence of the CLE—a space that values well-being and relationship-building as deeply as professional growth. Under Kelly and Folashade’s leadership, the Center continues to create pathways for Black nonprofit leaders to thrive, connect, and drive change across our region.

250+ BNCEP members

100+ nonprofit organizations represented

98% of members reported high satisfaction and improvement in knowledge, skills, and/or attitude after attending BNCEP programing

5,100+ served

1,900+ devices distributed

Digital Navigator Network

In FY24, UWGPSNJ expanded the Digital Navigator Network to bring essential technology support to more communities and households across our region. What began as three Philadelphia-based partners has grown into a regional collaboration of 11 organizations serving residents in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties.

Digital Navigators provide one-on-one guidance to help people enroll in affordable internet programs, secure devices, and build confidence using technology for work, school, health, and daily life. The Network prioritizes vulnerable populations: seniors, low-income households, and residents with limited English proficiency.

In 2024, the Network served more than 5,100 people including nearly 800 seniors and more than 1,100 people whose primary language was not English.

For Hortencia, a Literacy Council of Norristown student, computer classes offered more than skills—they created opportunities. She began learning to help her children with schoolwork and now applies her knowledge to support her husband’s construction business. “I can now email, upload documents, and stay connected. It’s helped our family’s work grow,” she shared.

By meeting people where they are—in their language and community—the Digital Navigator Network ensures digital equity is not just a goal, but a reality.

The Promise: Record Clearing Initiative

At a recent Promise record-clearing clinic in North Philadelphia, a mother arrived unsure if she would even qualify for help. By the end of the day, she discovered that her record had been sealed under Pennsylvania’s new Clean Slate Law. Overjoyed, she shared that she could now pursue jobs she had long thought out of reach. Stories like hers are at the heart of The Promise’s Record Clearing Initiative, which is helping neighbors reclaim opportunity and hope.

These clinics are much more than legal services—they are welcoming community gatherings where residents can meet with lawyers to begin the record-clearing process while also connecting to vital resources like job placement, housing assistance, and financial counseling. Family-friendly activities, meals, and entertainment create a warm, stigma-free space where everyone feels supported and included.

In its second year, The Promise held 20 carefully planned clinics across Philadelphia. Each event welcomed an average of 154 participants and connected 70 individuals with lawyers. Over the year, 1,404 people received legal guidance, opening doors to brighter futures.

This work was made possible through strong collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, dedicated community hosts, three legal service partners, and evaluation experts at Drexel University. Together, these efforts are turning barriers into pathways and building stronger, more resilient communities.

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