CHARLOTTE — The new United Way has donated more than $16 million to the greater Charlotte area to fight poverty and improve economic mobility.
Newly named United Way of Greater Charlotte announced their 2023 multimillion-dollar investment across the Charlotte region. Over 130 neighborhood and grassroots organizations were awarded $9 million in grants to help lift families of out poverty.
This investment also includes more than $5 million from the city of Charlotte in a partnership to provide housing and services to people still experiencing homelessness.
The remaining $2 million will be put towards United Way community investments and funding for nonprofits.
The investment represents a shift made by the organization after Charlotte was ranked last in economic mobility among 50 other metropolitan cities in the country.
President and CEO of United Way Laura Yates Clark said that rating showed them that the community needed a large change.
“Five years ago, United Way of Greater Charlotte started a journey to align our investment strategy with the community’s most pressing needs to create lasting change,” Clark said. “Five years ago, United Way of Greater Charlotte started a journey to align our investment strategy with the community’s most pressing needs to create lasting change.”
United Way’s $9 million in grants will be put towards three pillars to improve economic mobility and racial equity. Its United Neighborhoods program will expand largely with an investment of $4.9 million in more than 50 neighborhoods. A large increase from last year’s $1.3 million and three neighborhoods.
The program aligns with Charlotte’s six “Corridors of Opportunity” and includes northern Mecklenburg County. The funding will go to 70 agencies working in corridor neighborhoods including Grier Heights, Lakeview and Renaissance West.
“In response to our community’s desire to produce lasting change and empower those closest to our challenges, we have brought new agency partners to the table to collaboratively create opportunities to help all children and families thrive,” Board Chair Dee O’Dell said.
United Way’s United Charlotte program plans to invest almost $3 million in 55 agencies in 2023 thanks to funding from Mecklenburg County, as well as private and corporate donations.
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