United Way of Central Indiana and its nonprofit partners strengthen region’s economy, new report shows
INDIANAPOLIS – When we talk about the impact of United Way of Central Indiana and its network of community-based organizations, we often highlight the tangible ways people and families are helped: number of meals served, people housed, students tutored, financial coaching provided.
A new report published today examines a secondary benefit: United Way’s grants and partnerships with hundreds of nonprofits stimulate significant economic activity in the region, contributing more than $1.75 billion to Central Indiana’s gross domestic product (GDP) over a six-year period from 2020 through 2025. The report also includes an analysis of the economic benefits of services provided by United Way grantees.
The report, “United Way of Central Indiana’s Economic Impact,” was prepared by the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. It analyzes the economic impact of 3,006 grants to 431 organizations totaling $219 million from 2020 through 2025.
Key findings include:
Every $1 invested by United Way spurs an additional $1.28 in economic activity for other businesses in Central Indiana.
United Way’s grants to nonprofits contributed an average of $52.4 million per year to the region’s GDP.
On average, United Way investments sparked $79.9 million per year in economic activity between 2020 and 2025.
United Way grants supported 860 local jobs per year, including 580 at local nonprofits.
The IBRC report also examines the economic impact of 363 tax-exempt nonprofits that received United Way funding. Key findings include:
The 363 nonprofits employed 19,205 workers in Central Indiana in 2025.
With the “ripple effect” of those jobs, another 7,279 jobs were generated in the community.
The combined effect of these 363 nonprofits contributed more than $2.34 billion to Central Indiana’s GDP.
“This report makes clear what we’ve long believed: Investing in people and communities isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s smart economic policy," said Fred Payne, United Way of Central Indiana's president and CEO. "Every dollar United Way and our nonprofit partners put to work in Central Indiana comes back multiplied, supporting jobs, strengthening neighborhoods and driving growth that benefits everyone. We’re proud to work alongside hundreds of organizations that are not only changing lives but powering this region’s economy.”
The goal of the report was to measure and understand the economic impacts of United Way and its nonprofit partners across the region.
“United Way of Central Indiana has a remarkable investment track-record in this region," said Carol O. Rogers, director of the IBRC. "This study shows just how much economic activity is powered by their direct investments.”
Added Matt Kinghorn, IBRC principal analyst and author of the report: “We are proud to partner with United Way on this work, to show the economic value of these dollars alongside the very human benefits their network provides.”
This is the second time United Way of Central has conducted an economic impact assessment. The first was published in 2023 and examined data from 2020 to 2023. This new report expands on that analysis, examining a six-year period from 2020 through 2025. The new report also examines the social return of service delivery on the economy.