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UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC
SYRACUSE, NY · EIN 150532073 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T700 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$9.1M
expenses
$9.0M
net assets
$5.0M
employees
54
volunteers
8,163
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

TO IMPROVE LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF OUR COMMUNITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

United Way of Central New York mobilizes community resources to improve lives across Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties. It operates as both a grantmaker and direct service provider through coalitions focused on literacy, early childhood development, housing, and poverty reduction. The organization funds and coordinates initiatives addressing education, health, and financial stability for children, families, and adults in need.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $665K
    LITERACY COALITION OF ONONDAGA COUNTY:THE LITERACY COALITION OF ONONDAGA COUNTY (LCOC) BEGAN IN 2007-2008. LCOC WORKS TO ACHIEVE 100% LITERACY ACROSS ALL AGES. LCOC BRINGS TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS TO MONITOR LITERACY AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THE LCOC CONTINUES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY AND IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST PROGRAM IN NYS. 1,822,073 BOOKS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PROGRAM. A FREE BOOK IS SENT IN THE MAIL EVERY MONTH TO CHILDREN IN ONONDAGA COUNTY FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE. LCOC ALSO FOCUSES ON LITERACY SERVICES FOR ADULTS.
  2. #2 $1.03M
    HOUSING & HOMELESS COALITION:THE HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK (HHC) ACTS AS THE LOCAL HUD CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC NY-505). THE UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK BECAME THE COLLABORATIVE APPLICANT IN 2017 AND THE STAFF OF HHC BECAME UNITED WAY EMPLOYEES.HHC IS DEDICATED TO REDUCING, PREVENTING, AND ULTIMATELY ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE HHC ALLOCATES AND OVERSEES FEDERAL FUNDING TO SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE THREE-COUNTY REGION: ONONDAGA, OSWEGO, AND CAYUGA. PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, THROUGH THE WORK OF THE HHC, HOMELESSNESS IN THIS REGION HAD BEEN REDUCED. SINCE 2021, HOMELESSNESS HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY AND THE HHC HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE TO ADDRESS THE NEW CHALLENGES THAT HAVE ARISEN. HHC HAS ALSO BROUGHT IN NEW GRANTS DURING THE YEAR AND HAS ADDED STAFF.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Early Childhood Alliance
Cross-sector coalition supporting vulnerable families with children under five through programs like Help Me Grow and Talk, Read, Sing Onondaga; focused on early childhood system redesign and expanded childcare access.
Greater Syracuse Hope
State-funded initiative addressing root causes of poverty through dropout prevention, workforce development, financial literacy training, and transportation support in partnership with local agencies.
Housing & Homeless Coalition of Central New York
Acts as the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC NY-505), allocating federal funds and coordinating services to prevent and reduce homelessness in Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties.
Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County
Coordinates literacy programs for children and adults, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which mails free books monthly to children from birth to age five in Onondaga County.
activities · 18 groups

What they do

  • Child Care and Early Childhood Policy Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocates for policy changes to address community challenges
      Engages in local advocacy efforts to influence public policy, amplify community voices, and secure resources—such as expanded daycare funding from Onondaga County—to support vulnerable families.
  • Centralized Community Federation Support 1 activity
    • Allocates federal funding for homelessness services
      Manages and oversees federal HUD Continuum of Care (COC NY-505) funding for homelessness services across Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties through the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York.
  • Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
    • Conducts annual fundraising campaigns with volunteer support
      Organizes a region-wide annual fundraising campaign in Central New York powered by hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • Connects individuals to essential services via 211CNY
      Operates the 211CNY hotline, connecting 34,509 individuals annually to critical community resources such as housing, food, healthcare, and utility assistance.
  • Transportation Access Support 1 activity
    • Delivers essential goods to reduce transportation barriers
      Provides free delivery of essential items such as food and medicine through Ride United Last Mile Delivery to improve access and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Delivers one-on-one tutoring through Book Buddies program
      Provides high-impact literacy tutoring to K–3 students through trained volunteers in the Book Buddies program, serving 632 children annually.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Distributes food through a network of pantries and kitchens
      Rescues and distributes millions of pounds of fresh, nutritious food annually to individuals and families in need via a network of food pantries and soup kitchens in Central New York.
  • Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
    • Engages retirees in community service through ReUnited
      Supports retirees and career-transitioning individuals through the ReUnited affinity group, offering volunteering, mentoring, social programs, and educational opportunities.
  • Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
    • Funds programs to improve community well-being
      Awards grants to local organizations and initiatives focused on improving education, financial stability, health, and basic needs access in Central New York; allocates 85% of donated dollars to funded programs and requires progress reporting and benchmark adherence.
  • Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
    • Hosts community coalitions for cross-sector collaboration
      Convenes and supports community coalitions that bring together diverse stakeholders to address regional challenges through coordinated action and partnership.
  • Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
    • Identifies community needs through data analysis and reporting
      Uses data from partner agencies, the ALICE Report, and 211CNY to identify and analyze community issues and unmet needs in Central New York.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Offers leadership training for young professionals
      Provides a Leadership and Community Education Series to equip young professionals with skills for civic engagement and community leadership.
  • Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
    • Promotes early literacy through Dolly Parton Imagination Library
      Distributes free, age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five in Onondaga County; has delivered 1,822,073 books since program inception.
  • Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
    • Provides free tax preparation through VITA program
      Operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, offering free tax filing services and returning millions of dollars in refunds to low-income families each year.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Recruits and engages volunteers for community service
      Mobilizes individuals and groups, including young professionals and retirees, to contribute time and skills through volunteer opportunities; recorded 39,284 service hours valued at over $1.1 million in 2016.
  • Senior Independence Support Services 1 activity
    • Supports older adults to remain safe and healthy
      Provides services and connections that help 3,426 older adults each year maintain safety, health, and improved quality of life in their communities.
  • Self-Sufficiency Empowerment Workshops 1 activity
    • Supports self-sufficiency through education and income programs
      Helps individuals and families achieve long-term financial independence through education, income support, and workforce development programs, serving 10,413 people annually.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Coordinates poverty reduction initiatives through grant-funded programs
      Managed the Greater Syracuse Hope grant under Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative, supporting dropout prevention, workforce development, financial literacy, and transportation assistance until September 30, 2021.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$9.07M
Contributions & grants$8.52M94%
Program service revenue$271K3%
Investment income$311K3%
Other revenue$-33K
expenses
Total expenses$8.97M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$3.10M
Grants paid out$3.35M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$10.11M
Cash$933K
Investments$5.90M
Liabilities$5.13M
Net assets$4.99M
Liquid reserves9.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +12.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
NANCY KERN EATON PRESIDENT 40 $169K
LYNNE-MARIE RYAN CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40 $140K
board members · 23
  • ALAN MARZULLO — DIRECTOR
  • AMY TUCKER — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREA MASTEN — CHAIR REUNITED
  • ANDREW DERRENBACKER — DIRECTOR
  • ASHLEY WHITE — DIRECTOR
  • BILL PATRICK — TREASURER
  • BJ ADIGUN — CHAIR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION
  • BRIAN BUTLER — SECRETARY
  • C PATRICK O'NEILL — DIRECTOR
  • CASEY WHITE — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTOPHER KELLER — DIRECTOR
  • COURTNEY MERRIMAN — DIRECTOR
  • DANIEL KOLINSKI — DIRECTOR
  • DEBORAH WELCH — CHAIR - COMMUNITY IMPACT
  • DIANA JONES — FORMER DIRECTOR
  • EVELYN INGRAM — IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
  • GEORGE JONES — DIRECTOR
  • GEORGE KUHN — DIRECTOR
  • GWENDOLYN SYKES — DIRECTOR
  • JACQUIE KELLY KADEN — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES CAPPARELLI — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES D FREYER — FORMER DIRECTOR
  • JAMES D'AGOSTINO — DIRECTOR
relationships · 64

Who they work with

  • A Tiny Home for Good, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • ACR Health Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • American Red Cross of Central and Northern New York Partner — Funded partner organization supporting emergency response and community resilience programs.
  • American Red Cross of Central and Northern New York Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Aurora of Central New York, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Blueprint 15 Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Brady Faith Center Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Catholic Charities of Onondaga County Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, NY Partner — Funded partner organization delivering social services including housing, food, and family support.
  • Center for Community Alternatives, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Central and Northern NY Building and Trades Council Partner — Engaged through a workforce development initiative under the Greater Syracuse Hope program.
  • Charity Navigator Government — Source of reported financial performance data, including allocation of donated dollars to programs.
  • Child Care Solutions Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Contact Community Services, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Onondaga County Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Dolly Parton Imagination Library Partner — Partner program focused on early childhood literacy, with United Way hosting its local implementation.
  • Dunbar Association, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Early Childhood Alliance Partner — Led the cross-sector coalition to redesign early childhood systems for vulnerable families in Onondaga County.
  • Elmcrest Children’s Center, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Exalt Youth Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Food Bank of Central New York Partner — Funded partner organization collaborating on food access and distribution initiatives.
  • Food Bank of Central New York, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society Partner — Funded partner organization providing legal representation and advocacy for underserved populations.
  • Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Hillside Children’s Center Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • House of Psalms 23, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York Partner — United Way became the collaborative applicant for this coalition in 2017, integrating its staff into United Way operations.
  • Huntington Family Centers, Inc. Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
  • Indera Partner — Recognized as a 2026-2027 Partner Agency collaborating with United Way of Central New York.
+ 34 more
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Informed Strategic Grantmaking
    methodology: community_informed_grantmaking
    By identifying community needs and directing donor resources toward high-impact programs with performance monitoring, we produce better outcomes because funding follows evidence-based priorities and is held accountable for results.
  • Cross-Sector Collective Impact
    methodology: collective_impact
    By convening stakeholders across sectors and pooling donor resources, we produce amplified community change because coordinated action enables larger-scale solutions than isolated efforts. This includes engaging women donors and other groups in collective giving and volunteering to drive systemic improvements.
  • Long-Term Capacity Building via Stable Funding and Certification
    methodology: capacity_building
    By providing multi-year funding cycles and certifying nonprofit partners for fiscal and operational soundness, we produce stronger, more effective service delivery because stability and accountability enable agencies to plan, innovate, and achieve measurable results.
  • Systems Change Through Collaborative Partnerships
    methodology: systems_change
    By partnering with diverse community stakeholders to address root causes of poverty, we produce lasting structural change because multi-agency collaboration reshapes underlying systems rather than treating symptoms alone.