About

From North Philly to West, from Wiggins Park in Camden to the tip of Cape May, we’re making progress together as a region, proving that the smartest way to combat poverty is the United Way.

As a force United, we know we’re stronger. Over 30,000 donors stronger. And we know there’s never been a more critical time to take action.

With a 100-year legacy of driving change, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey plays a unique role in breaking down barriers and creating more opportunity throughout our community.

We support where necessary, lead when appropriate, and always seek to build on shared values. Our combined investments fuel life-saving, transformative missions across our region—work that is vital to our communities, our families, and to each and every one of us.

Poverty doesn’t have to exist. Let’s end it together.

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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

Vision

Our vision is to live in a region where poverty does not exist and every person in every community can thrive.

Mission

Our mission is to end poverty and expand opportunity for all.

Our United Way is part of a global network spanning 40 countries and a robust regional community of local businesses and nonprofit partners.

We forge strategic partnerships, mobilize across sectors, and lead research to deliver scalable solutions to break the cycle of poverty. We listen directly to community members to identify their most pressing challenges and use research and data analysis to inform our approach and direct our investment strategies.

Poverty Impacts Us All

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s mission is to end poverty and expand opportunity in the region. We know that poverty cannot be ignored. Here are some reasons why.

POVERTY IS EVERYWHERE

More than 60% of all Americans between the ages of 20 and 65 will rely on social welfare programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

In our region alone, more than 650,000 adults and children struggle with poverty each day. That’s ten Lincoln Financial Fields filled with people who live on less than $27,000 a year.

POVERTY IS CYCLICAL

Only 6% of children born to poor parents will enter the top fifth of income earners, while nearly half of them, 46%, remain just as poor.

When families are financially secure, they are better positioned to buy homes, support local businesses, and build generational wealth.

POVERTY IS EXPENSIVE

Childhood poverty alone costs the US $500 billion yearly in potential lost earnings, crime, and health care.

We end up spending more tax dollars treating the symptoms of poverty than we would by treating the disease.

(Source: Rethinking American Poverty, 2011; Source: Reasons Why Cutting Poverty is Good for our Nation, 2011; Source: The Economic Costs of Poverty in The United States: Subsequent Effects of Children Growing Up Poor, 2007)

Ending Poverty: A fight we can win

When families are financially secure, they are better positioned to buy homes, support businesses, and build generational wealth.

Together, we help our region’s families do exactly that.

United, we can end poverty.

Help us build stronger, more equitable communities.