About United Way
We bring together the people, ideas, and resources to tackle the root causes of issues like food insecurity, housing instability, literacy gaps, and access to healthcare — mobilizing community partners, donors, volunteers and advocates to improve lives in Southern Maine.
Focus Areas
Early childhood learningSTEM/STEAM educationYouth servicesFinancial stability and asset buildingFood securityHousing stabilityMental health and substance use treatmentAdvocacy and community organizing
Who They Fund
households facing fuel or heating insecuritylow-income or financially vulnerable residentslocal/community-based organizations (recipients of donor-designated funds)
About United Way
United Way Inc concentrates on Southern Maine community needs through a mix of community investment, donor designations, and targeted relief. The most distinctive thread in the recent grants is support for organizations meeting basic needs and stabilizing households, especially through major awards to Catholic Charities Maine and Preble Street in Portland and The Opportunity Alliance in South Portland. Those grants sit alongside funding for food security, housing stability, mental health and substance use treatment, literacy, and healthcare access in the foundation’s stated community agenda. The portfolio also shows sustained support for local service providers rather than a single program area. Portland-based partners such as MaineHealth, Portland Adult Education, Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, and 2-1-1 Maine Inc appear among the larger recipients, while other awards go to youth-serving organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and Day One. The foundation’s work includes donor-designated and restricted grants, plus community investment funding tied to Southern Maine priorities. It also operates targeted programs such as heating assistance and free tax preparation, which broaden its role beyond standard grantmaking into direct community support and financial stability work.
What United Way Funds
A clear theme is basic-needs and stability work. In 2025, United Way Inc gave $1,375,228 to the City of Portland for Community Investment, and the foundation’s stated priorities include food security, housing stability, and access to healthcare. Youth and education are another major lane. The foundation awarded $271,999 to Portland Adult Education in 2023 and $258,393 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine in 2024, both through Community Investment and donor designations. Its stated focus areas also include early childhood learning, STEM/STEAM education, and youth services. Health and crisis-response funding appears as well. The Opportunity Alliance received $620,987 in 2024 and $386,458 in 2025 for Community Investment, Heating Assistance, and donor designations, matching the foundation’s emergency heating assistance and financial stability work. Day One also received support in multiple years for Community Investment and donor designations.
How United Way Gives
Typical grants cluster in the middle range, with a p25 of $14,347, a median of $26,351, and a p75 of $60,160. The recent grants list also shows large awards flowing through Community Investment and donor designations, suggesting a structure that blends competitive community grants with designated support. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Portland-based and South Portland-based organizations, which points to recurring support rather than one-time funding only. The foundation is classified as a mixed community foundation, and the active funding opportunities show both unsolicited and invitation-only channels depending on the program.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.4M
Total Assets
$19.5M
Total Revenue
$8.9M
Total Expenses
$10M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $14K and $60K, with a median of $26K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$26K
75th Percentile
$60K
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Dan Coyne
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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