COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 132617681 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T700 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Very Large (>$50M) · unitedwaynyc.org
revenue
$85.6M
expenses
$84.4M
net assets
$13.3M
employees
130
volunteers
49
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY (UWNYC) WORKS WITH A COALITION OF TRUSTED PARTNERS TO UNITE COMMUNITY POWER WITH CITYWIDE POSSIBILITY. TOGETHER, WE MEET TODAY'S MOST URGENT NEEDS WHILE BUILDING TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW STRIVING FOR HEALTH, OPPORTUNITY, AND PROSPERITY FOR EVERY NEW YORKER IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.

profile · synthesized from sources

United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works with community partners to address urgent needs and advance systemic solutions in food access, health equity, education, and justice reform across New York City. The organization funds and builds capacity for community-based organizations, supports public benefits enrollment, and advocates for policy change. It focuses on equity for low-income communities, communities of color, and immigrant populations.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $20.37M
    FOOD AND BENEFITS ACCESS BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE EMERGENCY FOOD SYSTEM ACROSS NEW YORK CITY AND ENSURING PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY FOOD AND PUBLIC BENEFITS. THROUGH THE HUNGER PREVENTION AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HPNAP), PROVIDING OVER 600 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE FIVE BOROUGHS OF NYC WITH HIGH QUALITY, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOODS, NUTRITION EDUCATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. PROVIDING OPERATIONAL SUPPORT GRANTS AND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT GRANTS TO EMERGENCY FOOD PROVIDERS TO COVER COSTS SUCH AS RENT, UTILITIES, AND STAFF AS WELL AS PURCHASES OF REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE FUNDED PROGRAMS CAN SUCCESSFULLY AND SAFELY STORE AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD. THROUGH FOOD SUPPORT CONNECTIONS (FSC), SUPPORTING LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ENROLL IN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS, FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS. UWNYC FUNDS COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE FIVE BOROUGHS TO PROVIDE SCREENING, APPLICATION, AND ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR THE HARDEST TO REACH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
  2. #2 $11.62M
    HEALTH EQUITYBOLSTERING THE PROVISION OF CULTURALLY COMPETENT HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND POLICIES IN NEW YORK CITY AND BEYOND TO MITIGATE HEALTH DISPARITIES. THROUGH CHOOSE HEALTHY LIFE AND CONNECT2CARE, TRAINING TRUSTED MESSENGERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO DISSEMINATE UP-TO-DATE PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION AND PROMOTE CONNECTIONS TO CARE.
named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

Atlas
Justice reform initiative providing therapeutic support, mentorship, and civic engagement for justice-involved young people in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety
Books from Birth
Delivers books directly to families across NYC and partners with local organizations to create accessible literacy hubs in community spaces
Capacity Building Program
Offers staff development and organizational infrastructure support to partner nonprofits, including leadership training, financial management, and technical assistance
Choose Healthy Life / Connect2Care
Trains trusted messengers in underserved communities to disseminate public health information and connect individuals to care, with a focus on Black and Brown communities
Community Libraries
Establishes libraries with culturally relevant materials by Latine and Afro-Latine authors in schools, shelters, and family centers to close education equity gaps
Community-Driven Curriculum
Collaborates with stakeholders to develop culturally responsive curricula, including Black Studies and Latine Studies, for NYC public schools
Food Support Connections (FSC)
Funds community organizations to help low-income individuals and families enroll in SNAP benefits through outreach, screening, and application support
Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP)
Provides over 600 community-based organizations in NYC with food, nutrition education, technical assistance, and operational or equipment grants to support emergency food distribution
activities · 16 groups

What they do

  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 3 activities
    • Delivering nutrition education and produce to food-insecure individuals with chronic diseases
      Provides culturally relevant nutrition education and access to fresh produce for food-insecure New Yorkers living with chronic conditions through community and faith-based partnerships.
    • Developing digital tools for food access coordination
      Co-owned and operated Plentiful, a digital reservation platform that connected over 1.2 million unique users to food at 576 pantries across New York City; leads development of FeedNYC.org, a resource and funding repository for emergency food providers.
    • Strengthening emergency food provider capacity
      Enhances the sustainability and effectiveness of emergency food providers through training, operational cost reimbursement, food safety equipment grants, and technical assistance; supported pantries to distribute an additional 15 million pounds of food annually via the NYC Food Assistance Collaborative.
  • Community Health Equity Initiatives 2 activities
    • Advocating for healthcare equity in communities of color
      Addresses systemic barriers to quality healthcare through advocacy, community engagement, and cross-sector partnerships focused on improving health outcomes in communities of color.
    • Training trusted community messengers in public health outreach
      Trains frontline staff and trusted messengers in underserved communities—including therapists, case managers, and outreach workers—through programs like Choose Healthy Life and Connect2Care to share accurate public health information and connect individuals to care.
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 2 activities
    • Advocating for nonprofit sector resilience
      Provides advocacy support to strengthen the organizational and financial sustainability of nonprofits serving underserved communities in New York City.
    • Building partner organizational capacity through professional development
      Offers a Capacity Building Program that includes staff development, leadership training, social worker licensure support, board development, financial management coaching, and connections to technical assistance providers to improve operational effectiveness and long-term sustainability of partner organizations.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 2 activities
    • Funding SNAP enrollment services for underserved households
      Funds community-based organizations citywide to deliver screening, application, and enrollment assistance for SNAP benefits through the Food Support Connections program, helping thousands of households access critical food assistance.
    • Funding community-based organizations for hunger prevention and nutrition assistance
      Funds over 600 community-based organizations across New York City’s five boroughs through the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), providing operational support, capital equipment grants for safe food storage and distribution, and technical assistance to enhance food access and nutrition education.
  • Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
    • Advancing public policy to promote economic stability and equity
      Advocates for systemic change by advancing a public policy agenda informed by program insights in education, food security, workforce development, health, and the justice system to improve economic mobility and reduce disparities for all New Yorkers.
  • Food Policy Advocacy & Nutrition Education 1 activity
    • Advocating for equitable food policy and dignified access to food
      Informs city-level food policy to ensure culturally appropriate, nutritious, and dignified access to food for all New Yorkers, particularly those served by public programs and city agencies.
  • Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
    • Advocating for improved education access and resources
      Engages stakeholders across the education system to address gaps in access, accountability, and resource allocation for students in New York City, particularly in underserved communities.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • Connecting vulnerable populations to health and social services
      Conducts preventative health screenings and screens individuals for social determinants of health such as access to primary care, food assistance, and housing; connects justice-involved individuals to mental health services and helps over 6,000 households save money by enrolling them in SNAP benefits.
  • Women's Leadership & Peace Network Building 1 activity
    • Engaging philanthropic and leadership networks
      Recognizes local philanthropists, mobilizes a network of women focused on improving the lives of low-income New Yorkers, and organizes a leadership group of young professionals to advance the organization’s mission and increase visibility and resources.
  • Local Food Systems Development 1 activity
    • Expanding access to locally grown, nutritious food in food pantries
      Provides advance capital to local farmers and sources New York State-grown food through food hubs to increase availability of fresh, nutritious produce in emergency food networks; supports Community Chefs who educate pantry visitors on preparing healthy meals.
  • Refugee and Immigrant Resettlement Services 1 activity
    • Funding emergency food and shelter services through EFSP
      Supports community organizations in delivering rent, mortgage, and utilities assistance as well as emergency food services to New Yorkers in need through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).
  • Gun Violence Prevention & Intervention 1 activity
    • Implementing community violence intervention and youth justice reform
      Operates ATLAS, a community violence intervention program in partnership with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety, providing evidence-based therapeutic support, mentorship, and civic engagement opportunities for justice-involved young people.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Mobilizing corporate and community volunteerism
      Hosts corporate volunteer projects and engages corporate networks to support over 600 community-based organizations, addressing urgent needs and developing long-term solutions in New York City.
  • Community-Based Pandemic Testing and Vaccination 1 activity
    • Operating church-based health equity programs
      Leverages partnerships with Black churches in New York City to expand access to preventative health screenings, health education, wellness activities, and COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and care; expanded this model to five additional cities in New York State including Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester.
  • Perinatal Support Services 1 activity
    • Providing maternal health workforce development
      Conducts doula and health advocate training programs to build local capacity for maternal health support in communities facing disparities.
  • Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
    • Supporting early childhood education and literacy development
      Boosts childhood literacy by delivering books directly to families through initiatives like Books from Birth and the Black Studies Bookmobile; establishes community libraries with curated Latine and Afro-Latine collections in schools and shelters, and launched a Black Studies curriculum in 2024 with plans for a Latine Studies curriculum.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$85.57M
Contributions & grants$85.27M100%
Program service revenue$17K0%
Investment income$386K0%
Other revenue$-97K
expenses
Total expenses$84.36M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$14.98M
Grants paid out$62.01M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$89.61M
Cash$3.50M
Investments$8.73M
Liabilities$76.29M
Net assets$13.32M
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 12
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
GRACE BONILLA PRESIDENT & CEO 35 $500K
MELISSA BROWNE SVP & CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFC. 35 $299K
EICHAKEEM MCCLARY EXEC VP & CHIEF LEGAL ASST 35 $298K
ANTHONY FULLINGTON CFO (OUTGOING) 35 $276K
TANISHA MCKNIGHT COO 35 $261K
AMERICA CANAS SVP, COMMUINITY IMPACT 35 $253K
CORRINA O'BRIEN SVP, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 35 $224K
MICHELLE DRAYTON VP, HEALTH EQUITY 35 $198K
KETURAH PIERRE VP, JUSTICE & OPPORTUNITY 35 $198K
MICHELLE M GONZALES MATHESON VP, EXPERIMENTAL MARKETING 35 $197K
ANN BROWN SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL 35 $196K
VICTOR MILLSAP VP, IT SERVICES 35 $191K
board members · 13
  • AMANI TOOMER — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREW BREGENZER — DIRECTOR (OUTGOING)
  • ANISH MELWANI — DIRECTOR
  • ANN M VERMES — DIRECTOR
  • ANTONIO RICHARDSON — DIRECTOR
  • BERNICE A CLARK — DIRECTOR & CO-VICE CHAIR
  • BRAD A ROTHBAUM — DIRECTOR
  • CAROLYN BIDWELL — DIRECTOR
  • CHRIS CANTY — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTINE FENSKE — TREASURER
  • CHRISTINE SOBHANI — DIRECTOR
  • CHRISTOPHER J PERRY — DIRECTOR
  • DONALD F DONAHUE — DIRECTOR & CO-CHAIR
relationships · 29

Who they work with

  • Atlas FFT Partner — Partner organization whose frontline staff participate in the PEERS learning community and receive capacity-building support.
  • Choose Healthy Life Partner — United Way of New York City is the New York implementation partner for Choose Healthy Life, supporting church-based health equity programs.
  • City Harvest Partner — Co-owned and operated the Plentiful digital reservation platform for food pantries.
  • City Harvest Partner — Member of the New York City Food Assistance Collaborative (FAC) to improve food access and distribution efficiency.
  • Emergency Food and Shelter Program Government — Federally funded program whose suspension affected food distribution volumes.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency Government — Receives funding from FEMA for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).
  • Gordon Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University Partner — Collaborating with United Way of New York City to develop a Latine Studies curriculum.
  • HOPE Partner — Partner organization whose frontline staff participate in the PEERS learning community and receive capacity-building support.
  • HelpKitchen Partner — Partnered with during co-ownership of Plentiful; platform was acquired by HelpKitchen in 2023.
  • Hispanic Federation Partner — Collaborating with United Way of New York City to develop a Latine Studies curriculum.
  • Junior Board Network — Engagement network of United Way of New York City for emerging leaders.
  • Junior Board Partner — Youth or early-career leadership group involved in United Way of New York City’s initiatives.
  • NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Partner — Partnership on the Atlas community violence intervention program.
  • New York City Human Resources Administration Government — Collaborating agency in the New York City Food Assistance Collaborative (FAC) focused on public benefit access and food security.
  • New York City Mayor's Office of Food Policy Partner — Collaborated to form the New York City Food Assistance Collaborative (FAC) to address hunger and improve food provider capacity.
  • New York City Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety Partner — Designed the ATLAS justice reform program in partnership to support justice-involved young people.
  • New York State Department of Health - Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) Government — State-level partner in the New York City Food Assistance Collaborative (FAC) providing funding and policy alignment for nutrition programs.
  • Policy Committee on New York City Hunger Resources Coalition — Founding member and active participant in a citywide alliance to alleviate hunger through coordinated policy and resource support.
  • The Helmsley Charitable Trust Partner — Partnered to form the New York City Food Assistance Collaborative (FAC) to strengthen emergency food systems.
  • Tocqueville Society Network — Engagement network of United Way of New York City for major donors.
  • Tocqueville Society Partner — Affinity group under United Way of New York City engaging donors and leaders in collective impact.
  • United For ALICE Network — Uses data and framework from United For ALICE to inform advocacy, partnerships, and programs.
  • Women United Network — Engagement network of United Way of New York City focused on women's leadership in philanthropy.
  • Women United Partner — Affinity group within United Way of New York City focused on women's leadership and community impact.
  • businesses Partner — Partners with businesses to advance community impact initiatives.
  • foundations Partner — Works with foundations to fund and support programs that help New Yorkers thrive.
  • government Partner — Collaborates with government entities to support community programs.
  • nonprofits Partner — Collaborates with nonprofit organizations to deliver services and support communities.
  • trusted partners Partner — Coalition of trusted partners collaborating with United Way of New York City to align community power with citywide possibility.
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.

  • ALICE Framework for Targeted Advocacy
    methodology: ALICE framework
    By focusing on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households, we advance equity because this group is systematically excluded from safety net programs despite working full-time, and targeted advocacy addresses their unique structural barriers.
  • Community-Driven Intervention Through Trusted Institutions
    methodology: faith-based_community_distribution
    By delivering services through trusted local institutions like Black churches and community organizations, we increase engagement and effectiveness because these entities provide cultural credibility and access to populations otherwise underserved by formal systems.
  • Cross-Sector Coalition for Systems Change
    methodology: coalition-based systems change
    By uniting government, business, nonprofit, and community stakeholders through coordinated coalitions, we create systemic change because collective action amplifies impact beyond what any single sector can achieve alone.
  • Food Is Medicine Clinical Model
    methodology: food-is-medicine
    By integrating food distribution with nutrition education and clinical care for individuals with chronic diseases, we improve health outcomes because nutrition is treated as a treatable clinical determinant of health.