Creating Opportunities for Every Person to Thrive
Every day, hardworking families across North Central Florida face challenges that affect their ability to build stable, healthy, and successful lives.
At United Way North Central Florida, we bring people, organizations, and resources together to remove barriers and create lasting solutions.
Our work is guided by one simple belief:
When every person has the opportunity to thrive, our entire community becomes stronger.
Using an ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) lens, we focus our investments, partnerships, and programs on helping hardworking households build brighter futures.
Together with our donors, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders, we create impact in four key areas.
Youth Opportunity
Helping Every Child Build a Strong Foundation
Children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to succeed in school and beyond.
United Way North Central Florida focuses on early childhood literacy by investing in programs, volunteers, and partnerships that help children succeed during their most critical learning years.
Our work includes:
- ReadingPals mentoring program
- Alachua County Campaign for Grade Level Reading
- Alachua County Reads
- Community literacy partnerships
Our Goal: Every child enters school ready to learn and reads on grade level by the end of third grade.
Click here to learn more about Youth Opportunity.
Community Resiliency
Building Stronger Communities Before, During, and After Crisis
Strong communities prepare for challenges before they happen and recover together afterward.
United Way North Central Florida coordinates partnerships that strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and long-term recovery across North Central Florida.
Our work includes:
- Tri-County Disaster Assistance Group (Lead Agency)
- Alachua County COAD/LTRG (Fiscal Agent)
- Bradford & Union County COAD/LTRG development
- 211 Information & Referral
Our Goal: Build resilient communities that are prepared, connected, and ready to recover.
Financial Security
Helping ALICE Households Move from Surviving to Thriving
Many families work hard every day but still struggle to afford housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and other essentials.
United Way uses ALICE data to guide investments and partnerships that strengthen financial stability and create pathways toward long-term success.
Our work includes:
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- Emergency financial assistance
- Community investments
- ALICE research and advocacy
Our Goal: Help ALICE households achieve lasting financial stability.
Click here to learn more about Financial Security.
Healthy Community
Removing Barriers to Health
Health is about more than medical care.
United Way North Central Florida works with community partners to improve access to nutritious food, mental health services, transportation assistance, and other resources that help people live healthier lives.
Our work includes:
- Community Health Improvement Planning (CHIP)
- Community Investment grants
- Bridging Compassionate Care Transportation Fund
Our Goal: Improve health outcomes by addressing the barriers that impact well-being.
Click here to learn more about Healthy Community.
One Mission. Four Impact Areas.
While our work spans four focus areas, they are all connected.
A child is more likely to succeed in school when their family is financially stable.
Families experience better health when they have access to nutritious food, mental health support, and reliable transportation.
Communities recover faster from disasters when strong partnerships and support systems are already in place.
Together, these efforts create opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.
How You Can Make an Impact
Creating lasting change takes all of us.
You can help strengthen North Central Florida by:
- Donating — Your investment supports local programs, partnerships, and initiatives that improve lives across our six-county region.
- Volunteering — Share your time and talents through ReadingPals, VITA, disaster recovery efforts, Day of Action, and other volunteer opportunities.
- Partnering With Us — Businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations are essential partners in creating lasting change.
- Advocating — Help raise awareness about the needs of ALICE households and champion solutions that strengthen our community.
Together, we're building a North Central Florida where every person has the opportunity to thrive.
