About United Way of Central Ohio
Improve the lives of others by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
Focus Areas
Education / Early literacyBasic needs (food security)Housing stabilityEmergency response / disaster reliefNonprofit capacity and program fundingVolunteer mobilization
Funding Style
donor-designated (restricted) fundingvolunteer-designated program supportgeneral operating support (unrestricted)program operating support (restricted)
Topics
program operating costs / operational support
About United Way of Central Ohio
United Way of Central Ohio Inc. channels its grantmaking around Success by Third Grade, a long-running funding priority tied to student success, early literacy, family stability, and the nonacademic barriers that can keep children from reading on grade level by the end of third grade. The foundation pairs that focus with broader support for basic needs, housing stability, emergency response, and nonprofit capacity. Its recent awards show a mix of program operating support and donor- or volunteer-designated funding. Community Shelter Board received $735,000 for program operating costs, while YMCA of Central Ohio received $525,000 for the same purpose. Columbus Early Learning Centers was awarded $420,000, and Directions for Youth and Families received $375,000, both for program operating costs. These gifts sit alongside a sizable flow of designated support that moves through partner organizations and community fundraising channels. The foundation also funds emergency and community-response work, including short-term support during the COVID-19 period, and it has backed local efforts serving Haitian families in Springfield, Ohio. Across the record, the giving pattern is clearly local and centered on Central Ohio nonprofits, especially organizations working with children, families, and essential community services.
What United Way of Central Ohio Funds
Education is the clearest throughline in the grant record. United Way of Central Ohio Inc. awarded $525,000 to YMCA of Central Ohio for program operating costs tied to student success, and $420,000 to Columbus Early Learning Centers for program operating costs. Directions for Youth and Families also received $375,000 for program operating costs, reflecting support for children and family-centered service delivery. Basic needs and housing-related work appear as another major lane. Community Shelter Board received $735,000 for program operating costs, a sizable award connected to housing stability and community shelter services. Lifecare Alliance received $240,000 for program operating costs, showing support for essential services that reach people facing immediate needs. The foundation also supports emergency response. During the COVID-19 period, it created emergency community response funds for short-term assistance, food distribution, and basic needs support. Those grants were designed for fast-moving community needs rather than long planning cycles.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$24.4M
Total Assets
$39.5M
Total Revenue
$24.3M
Total Expenses
$23.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $22K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$22K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Local11 states funded
About 95% of grants go to recipients in OH.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
JULIANA HARDYMON
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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