About Us
Working to improve the lives of our underserved neighbors across the National Capital Area by mobilizing community resources to create measurable, lasting impact.
For nearly 100 years, United Way NCA has helped people and families across the National Capital Area build healthier, more stable futures.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
United Way NCA improves the lives of underserved individuals in the National Capital Area by focusing community resources on creating measurable and lasting impact.
Our Vision
United Way NCA seeks to improve the health, education, and economic opportunity of every person in the National Capital Area. We aim to create a more equitable region by mobilizing the best resources and people across the public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors to lead collective impact.
Our Impact
During our 2026 MLK Mid-Year Stuff the Bus, volunteers packed and distributed over 2,000 school supplies and 350 teacher supply kits to our community schools across the National Capital Area.
Over the last year, 12,559 clients received financial coaching, workforce development, entrepreneurial skills, and homeownership support across our powerful network of five Financial Empowerment Centers.
Over the last year, 4,500 kits containing food, clothing and hygiene supplies were distributed through our annual Project Community Connect event.
More than 125 years ago, United Way was created to mobilize the caring power of communities and make a difference in people’s lives. From the beginning, United Way brought people together to support local charities and distributed funds to relief services, cooperating agencies, and emergency assistance grants.
As times changed, United Way evolved alongside the communities it serves. Today, the United Way network helps millions of people each year through local United Way organizations across the country and around the world.
Your local United Way, United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA), was founded in 1928 and follows the same model as the national organization supporting community needs.
For nearly 100 years, United Way of the NCA has strengthened healthy communities, expanded youth opportunities, and increased financial security for our neighbors across the National Capital Area.
Partnering with over 400 nonprofits, corporate partners, and community organizations, United Way NCA is committed to building a strong, equitable community with excellent schools, good health, safe neighborhoods, and jobs that pay a livable wage.
Each year, we work directly in fourteen regions across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, ensuring that resources reach communities where they are needed most.
We rely on our dedicated staff and partners to conduct research and create programs that address healthy communities, youth opportunities, and financial security, focusing on the greatest and most immediate needs within each area.
By investing in the most effective programs and services, we tackle the National Capital Area’s most complex social challenges every day. Learn more about our strategy and see our impact through the stories of lives changed.
