United Way Of Massachusetts Bay Inc

Programs

1. EARLY EDUCATION AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME LEADING CROSS SECTOR COLLABORATION - Closing Achievement Gaps THE CHALLENGE - Students in Massachusetts face barriers that extend beyond the classroom. Chronic absenteeism is again on the rise, with 29% of low-income students missing more than 10 percent of school in 2025. In some districts like Boston, Lawrence, Lynn, and Lowell, the rates of absenteeism are as high as 20-30%. OUR APPROACH - Systems Leadership Through Community Schools United Way brings together people and partners across sectors to close achievement gaps and strengthen support for the whole child. We convene educators, families, nonprofit partners, and policymakers to align resources, integrate services, and create school-centered ecosystems of support. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS United Way is expanding the Community Schools strategy across Massachusetts, turning schools into hubs that link families, schools, and local resources to support the whole child: - In the 24 community schools funded across Boston, Lynn, and Haverhill, chronic absenteeism decreased by an average of 3.95%. - Six community schools successfully exited DESE turnaround status, including Lowell's Bartlett,…

   $10,919,373 spentof which $9,538,305 as grants
   27% of program spending

2. SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING THE CHALLENGE - Skyrocketing housing prices are impacting everyone, exacerbating homelessness and making it harder for families to find and remain in affordable housing. Nearly one in five households statewide spend 50% or more of their income on housing, and the Commonwealth estimates 200,000 units are needed to meet the demand for affordable and supportive housing in Massachusetts. OUR APPROACH - Strengthening the Housing Ecosystem United Way is committed to expanding affordable and supportive housing, strengthening frontline organizations, and advancing policies that help families achieve long-term stability. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Co-lead the Massachusetts Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition, a statewide network of 80+ advocates, developers, service providers, and policy organizations, working to expand supportive housing and advance coordinated homelessness prevention and housing stability policies. - The Affordable Homes Act was signed, authorizing $5.16 billion for housing over five years and creating the Supportive Housing Pool Fund, championed by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, a new resource to streamline and expand housing-plus-services for…

   $7,965,112 spentof which $6,896,702 as grants
   20% of program spending

3. ECONOMIC INCLUSION AND WEALTH BUILDING AND CRISIS RESPONSE THE CHALLENGE - Many Massachusetts families live on a financial tightrope, one unexpected bill away from crisis. Nearly 300,000 people live in poverty in our region, and nearly 40% of households have little to no emergency savings. THE CHALLENGE - In 2025, sweeping federal policy changes disrupted access to jobs, food, housing, health care, and other essential supports, creating immediate instability for families and the nonprofit organizations they rely on, particularly within immigrant communities. OUR APPROACH - Coordinated, Real-Time Leadership United Way acted swiftly to stabilize households while strengthening systems that create long-term opportunity. We convened nonprofit, government, civic, and corporate leaders to track policy changes in real time, identify emerging needs, and coordinate action across sectors. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Federal Response Calls: Since February 2025, United Way has convened biweekly calls with nonprofit, government, civic, and corporate partners to track policy changes, share real-time insights, and coordinate collective action across the Commonwealth. These conversations helped…

   $11,355,958 spentof which $10,100,664 as grants
   28% of program spending

4. Donors to the campaign may designate all or part of their contributions to specific agencies. Such amounts are not included as allocations to agencies and are recorded as a deduction from donor contributions in the audited financial statement of activities. All donor designations are verified for 501(c)(3) eligibility and compliance with the usa patriot act

   $4,336,258 spentof which $4,336,258 as grants$48,531 earned by the program
   11% of program spending

5. PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS THE CHALLENGE Between the ages of 16 and 24, youth and young adults are in a critical period of their lives, defining who they are, exploring their skills and strengths, and dreaming of future goals. In Massachusetts, just under 1 in 10 young people in this age range are not in school or employed. Many youth in Massachusetts enter adulthood unprepared for the workforce, and Career Technical Education is offered in only 27% of high schools. For many young people, college isn't an option, and low-wage work offers limited growth. OUR APPROACH - Building Career Pathways That Reflect Today's Economy United Way ensures youth have access to education, career training, and real-world experiences, providing the support and opportunities they need to navigate nontraditional career paths. Rather than funding isolated programs, we strengthen a regional network that integrates competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships into mainstream pathways. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Partnered with 47 community-based organizations that provide education and career pathways to enable youth and young adults to obtain educational credentials, explore career…

   $3,527,459 spentof which $2,348,228 as grants
   9% of program spending

6. Program administration includes uwmb's internal resource allocation to support children, youth and family programs.

   $2,324,600 spentof which $1,575,886 as grants
   6% of program spending

The 6 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $40,428,760.