Our Mission

We partner to design, support and grow systems that accelerate financial stability and upward​ mobility for individuals and families living in or near poverty.

Our Vision

Central Indiana will be a community where children, individuals and families thrive; neighbors care for each other; and we are proud of all our residents’ quality of life.

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

Our Promise

At United Way of Central Indiana, we exist to help people live the lives they’re capable of living. 

United Way of Central Indiana is uniquely positioned to bring the resources of philanthropy, government, corporations, the human services sector and neighborhoods together to confront generational poverty. 

We are United for Our Neighbors

United Way of Central Indiana is committed to distancing 10,000 households from poverty by 2028 — and we’re already more than halfway there.

We focus on the ALICE population: households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. These families earn too much to qualify for federal aid but not enough to cover the true cost of living in Indiana — estimated at $81,468 for a family of four.

Living in poverty affects every part of life: health, education, housing, and long-term opportunity. By focusing on ALICE, we can break the cycle of poverty for individuals, families and entire communities.

We are United for Learning

Education is the foundation of opportunity. Over a decade ago, United Way made a bold bet on early childhood education — starting with getting more kids ready for kindergarten.

We invested in early learning environments, built community coalitions, and helped lead the charge for expanded state funding for high-quality pre-k.

Today, thanks to programs like On My Way Pre-K, more children are entering school with stronger literacy and social skills — and their success continues for years to come.

Affordable child care also opens doors for parents to join the workforce — especially women and women of color — helping families thrive across generations.

We are United for Our Community

Poverty is complex. United Way helps people overcome it by investing in proven programs that support basic needs, early learning, economic mobility, and safe and affordable housing.

We work with 90+ accredited partners across seven counties, ensuring alignment with our outcomes, financial integrity, and community responsiveness.

In 2025, we awarded $1.2 million to 33 non-accredited partners to expand our reach and meet the needs of more individuals and families — especially in under-resourced and underserved areas.

United We Act

We tackle poverty through collaboration, investment, and innovation.

  1. We advocate for policies that help people live the lives they’re capable of living — like statewide access to quality pre-k.

  2. We strengthen a local network of nonprofits, united by a common goal.

  3. We use data to direct investments and measure impact in real time.

  4. We grant funds to organizations serving those in need — from food pantries to workforce training.

  5. We provide direct services like ReadUP, Indy Free Tax Prep, and Winter Assistance Fund.

  6. We innovate through pilot programs like supporting home child care providers and expanding Centers for Working Families.

United We Care

Poverty doesn’t wait — and neither do we.

In moments of change and challenge, United Way stands up for our partners and the people they serve. We advocate for stability in government support and raise awareness about the ongoing needs in our community.

Because need has no face, race, place, or time — and our care, compassion, and action must be constant.

We invite you to know the issues, care about the impact, and act to create real, lasting change.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

United Way of Central Indiana believes our community is best served when diversity, equity and inclusion are woven into every aspect of our work. 

Within our network of team members, volunteers, board members, and community organizations, we strive to maximize our impact by fostering an environment that embraces the unique perspectives and innovative ideas each individual brings.

Within our community, we recognize that inequalities and bias – both implicit and explicit – exist within our society and create real barriers to economic opportunity and overall well-being for too many individuals and families we serve. Our goal is to expand our reach to better serve diverse populations, strengthen the capacity of grassroots, faith-based, and community organizations, support the development of diverse leadership in the nonprofit sector, and help eliminate systemic barriers so that all people can achieve the quality of life they deserve.