At United Way of Central Indiana, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live the life they’re capable of living. For more than a century, we've been bringing together people, resources and ideas to make that belief a reality.
Our roots date back to 1918, when the community gathered at Monument Circle to drop coins and dollars into a massive War Chest — a powerful show of unity that helped fund relief agencies during the flu pandemic and support the war effort. Over the decades, United Way became known as the “community chest,” mobilizing generosity through city-wide campaigns and workplace giving.
Today, we carry that same spirit forward with a sharpened focus: fighting poverty at its roots by investing in long-term solutions and responding to the immediate needs of our neighbors in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties. We support programs and build systems that accelerate financial stability and upward mobility, especially for households facing multiple challenges at once.
It’s our vision to create a Central Indiana where every person and family can thrive, neighbors lift up one another up, and we are all proud of the place we call home.
Poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing Central Indiana.
To measurably reduce the number of financially unstable households, United Way is focused on the top predictors of poverty:
to provide essential services to our neighbors in need
to increase literacy and learning success for children
to increase earnings and build employment pathways
to increase housing security and reduce homelessness
We address poverty at every level — from urgent needs to long-term opportunity. In partnership with more than 100 community organizations, we invest in programs that empower people and families to build better futures. Our approach includes a two-generation, "2Gen," model that supports both children and the adults in their lives; a strong commitment to data, collaboration and equity; and a strategic mix of grantmaking, policy advocacy and systems-level change.
We don’t do this work alone. Our impact is powered by the thousands of donors, volunteers, advocates and partners who are united in building a stronger, more equitable Central Indiana — for everyone.
More than 241,700 households in Central Indiana are in, or one emergency away from, poverty.
That includes 23% of households with children and 47% of households age 65 and older.
Living in or near poverty is about more than a lack of income. It brings with it daily stress, trauma and lack of opportunity. And it’s likely to repeat from one generation to the next.
To understand the true extent of financial hardship, United Way uses the ALICE framework. An acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, ALICE households earn above the Federal Poverty Level — too much to receive aid — but not enough to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology.
While the Federal Poverty Level has long been used as the basis for determining eligibility for public assistance, ALICE data shows this official measure misses many more who are struggling.
For example, the minimum cost for a family of four to live and work in Indiana is $74,376 – much higher than the Federal Poverty Level figure of $30,000.
ALICE households often face impossible choices: Pay for utilities or the car repair? Buy food or fill a prescription?
United Way of Central Indiana makes a greater impact when we create an environment where people feel valued for their unique perspectives and ideas. We believe our community is best served when diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in everything we do. As such, we encourage the active participation of our team, including our employees, volunteers, donors, advocates and partners.
