United Way of Rochester and the Finger Lakes

United Way of Greater Rochester harnesses the power of collective giving to unite community members, businesses and local leaders in doing good by raising their hands, opening their hearts, and sharing resources to build a thriving region for all.

United Way supports a broad network of human service organizations, community initiatives and innovative strategies to address our most pressing local challenges with real, impactful solutions.

United Way of Greater Rochester hosts the largest local community fundraising effort through our annual spring workplace campaign. This effort allows United Way to harness the power of collective giving to connect more than 800 companies in Monroe County and 1,400 across our regional with a meaningful way to raise their hands, open their hearts, dig in, sharing resources and do their part to support a thriving region.

In 2019, United Way:
-Invested in 7 program partners that provided more than 270,000 basic needs services including food pantry meals, clothing, and assistance to avoid eviction and utility shutoff.
-Served more than 5,600 school-age youth in after-school, summer and mentoring programs.
-Helped nearly 7,800 families with tax return help and financial support during the 2019 tax season and brought $3,394,525 in Earned Income Tax Credits into our community.

In 2020, United Way is investing in critical programs that encompass three basic building blocks necessary for an individual, a family and a community to thrive: Health, Education and Economic Mobility. The local, effective, results-oriented partner programs will focus on improving health and well-being, increasing educational outcomes and supporting individuals in gaining employment and increasing financial stability over a three-year period. To complement this work, United Way is investing in Innovation Grants—investments in immediate and emerging community needs with smaller, short-term grant funding focused on strategic partnerships, social innovation, neighborhood support, synergy (nonprofit connections & affiliations), and crisis response.