About Us
Achieving shared common goals by working together – this is the core of what we do at United Way of Anchorage. The goals are big and complex, and we need your help to accomplish them. By combining efforts, we can be more efficient and effective. Creating a thriving community in economically challenging times takes commitment, coordination and individual engagement. You are a vital part of this work.
How Pick.Click.Give. makes a difference
United Way of Anchorage (UWA) has been inspiring hope and improving lives in Anchorage for over 60 years. UWA is the leader in mobilizing resources of individuals, companies, government and labor to achieve positive and lasting change in the lives of the people in our community.
The key to creating lasting change – in people's lives and in our community – is getting to the source of big problems. It is change that doesn't come easily or by accident. It is change that requires clear goals and leads to true partnerships, with differences and special interests set aside, to make real progress. It is change that involves intentional and data-driven actions.
We take a hard look at our community to understand its strengths, its problems, and the direction in which we are headed. Are our children doing well in school? Can our neighbors afford the basics? Are we healthy?
Then, together with the community, we set clear, shared goals. These goals – in Education, Financial Stability and Health – drive United Way's work and foster collaborative action and true partnerships. Together, we track our progress, which enables us to improve what we do.
It takes everyone in the community – corporations, small businesses, elected officials, nonprofits, academia, the faith community, the labor movement, the media, parents and neighbors working together – to create a brighter future.
It is our goal that all Anchorage residents are housed, financially stable and have an opportunity to increase their income and save for the future – to build a sustainable and hopeful life in our community.
Other United Way of Anchorage initiatives/programs we manage:
- When our youth succeed, our community succeeds. The goal is a 90% high school graduation rate. To learn more and to help youth succeed, log on to www.90by2020.org.
- Working with the Municipality and the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, United Way is part of the Anchorage Community Plan to End Homelessness, working to coordinate efforts that house people faster and get them the supports they need to rebuild their lives and become physically and financially stable.
- Changing the way Alaskans find help. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers, at no cost, to information about critical health and human services available in communities around Alaska. For more information, log on to www.alaska211.org.